Wastewater Treatment TourPrimary Treatment: Physical processes

Secondary Treatment: Biological processes

Main Pump Station

Raw sewage flows by

gravity sewer pipelines,

from parts of 10 different municipalities.

The Grit and Grease Removal

The heaviest

material, (mainly

grit) settle to the

bottom of the tank.

Equalization Basins

Equalize the normal daily flow

fluctuations. Diffused air is

pumped in to keep the

wastewater fresh and keep solids in suspension

Oxidation DitchMicroorganisms

metabolize (feed on), and

biologically flocculate

(clump together) the

organic pollutants.

Nitrogen and phosphorus removal also occurs here.

Final Clarifier TankActivated sludge is allowed

to settle by gravity. Some is returned by pumps to the Oxidation Ditch to maintain the continuous cycle of activated sludge in the system.

Ultraviolet Disinfection SystemThe effluent is exposed to high

intensity ultraviolet light for the

destruction of any remaining

pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms.

Dissolved Air Flotation ThickenerBlends the sludge with

pressurized, air-saturated

water. This causes water to

separate out of the sludge and

the sludge to float to the

surface and thicken. The

Flotation Thickener will

concentrate the thin (½ %

solids) waste activated sludge

up to about 6% thickened

sludge, thereby removing

much of the water prior to

further processing.

Dissolved Air Flotation Thickener

Anaerobic Digesters

Digestion is a biological

process that reduces the

amount of organic solids in the sludge. A bi-product of the process is methane gas, which is used for fuel to heat the sludge, making the process self-sustaining.

Centrifuge

Removes water from

the liquid sludge into a

cake-like material at a at a solids concentration of 20-25%.

BioSolids Dehydrator

The resulting granular material, now called BioSolids, has a dry solids content of about 90%.These Biosolids meet all Class “A” standards under EPA Regulations-Part 503, and also meet Pennsylvania DEP standards as “Exceptional Quality”. Under these regulations, the material may now be distributed as a soil conditioner and fertilizer.

BioSolids