APPENDIX E
Manufacturer’s Literature
Preliminary Evaluation of an
Orenco® Effluent Sewer System
Project Name
Orient Point STEP System
Prepared for
Douglas Clark, P.E
Ryan Biggs|Clark Davis
Prepared by
Julie Barown, P.E.
Date
August 10, 2015
Orenco Systems, Inc.
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Orenco Systems, Inc.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................ 3 SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 4 SECTION 2: INTRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION ..................................................................... 5 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Orenco Effluent Sewer........................................................................................................................................................ 6 Residential & Commercial Connections .........................................................................................................................................................7 Use of Existing On-Lot Equipment .................................................................................................................................................................8 Performance During Extended Power Outages .............................................................................................................................................8 Odor Control Considerations..........................................................................................................................................................................9 Septic Tank Area Requirements ....................................................................................................................................................................9 Summary: Key Design Features of STEP/STEG Effluent Sewers (Residential Connections).....................................................................10 Infrastructure Phasing and Non-Mandatory Connections ............................................................................................ 10 SECTION 3: SCOPE OF SUPPLY AND CAPITAL COST ESTIMATES ............................................................... 11 Orenco Effluent Sewer Collection System ..................................................................................................................... 11 SECTION 4: OPERATION & MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND COST ESTIMATES ................................... 12 Orenco Effluent Sewer (STEP) O&M ............................................................................................................................... 12 SECTION 5: LIFE CYCLE CONSIDERATIONS AND O&M COST COMPARISONS ........................................... 14 Collection System Comparison ....................................................................................................................................... 14 LIFE-CYCLE COST ESTIMATE EXAMPLE ...................................................................................................................... 15 Present Worth Analysis ................................................................................................................................................................................15
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SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report presents the results of a feasibility study for the construction and long-term operation of an effluent sewer system
for Orient Point, NY consisting of 95 parcels, which which for this proposal will be considered and EDU. All parcels in the
study area are served by individual septic systems (with some advanced treatment systems) for treatment and disposal of
wastewater. The on-site systems are obsolete and non-compliant with current regulatory standards.
Costs are provided for the material costs of the STEP collection system (installation not included). Commercial STEP costs
are not included in this proposal. If a commercial STEP cost estimate is requested, a thorough analysis of each commercial
site will be required to determine tank size and pump requirements.
Tanks are assumed to be concrete provided by a local pre-caster. Prices are included for estimating purposes only. If a
more specific cost is required, it will be the engineer’s responsibility to contact a local pre-caster for pricing.
Table 1. Overall Orenco Scope of Supply and Cost Estimate (Material Only)
Collection
Residential STEP Packages: 1,000 gal (Orenco and Non-Orenco Equipment)*
Collection Subtotal (Material Only)
TOTAL Cost Estimate for material & shipping
Cost per EDU (94 EDUs)
Units
Lump Sum Cost
94
$374,979
$374,979
$374,979
$3,947 / EDU
For a more detailed cost breakdown, please refer to Section 3 of this Preliminary Evaluation of an Orenco Effluent Sewer
report.
*Costs include Orenco and non-Orenco equipment. Building sewer and service lateral costs not included. Tank is assumed pre-cast
concrete and costs are for estimating purposes only. Installation costs not provided.
Installation, bedding, backfill, fittings, and mobilization costs not included in package estimate
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SECTION 2: INTRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION
Introduction
Because small communities tend to be economically disadvantaged, under-served and resource-poor, they face significant
barriers to building and maintaining effective wastewater treatment services. Common challenges to achieving and
maintaining sustainable wastewater treatment systems faced by small communities include (but are not limited to):
Economic / financial limitations; Inability to sustain community-wide systems (lack of economies of scale); Inability to attract
and maintain system operators; Lack of managerial competency and consistency; Extreme topography and climate;
Geographic isolation / remoteness (US EPA, 2012). For these reasons, many small communities remain unsewered today,
possibly posing significant environmental problems.
Small communities have historically had difficulty owning and operating small-activated sludge package plants and gravity
sewers. Case in point, there are hundreds of small communities with gravity sewers throughout the US that were installed in
the 70’s and 80’s that, due in part to O&M neglect with the collection system, are spending millions of dollars upgrading their
WWTPs - often due to excessive I/I.
STEP/STEG systems (also known as “effluent sewers”) were conceived to circumvent the challenges of gravity sewers
when they are applied to small communities. STEP/STEG systems are particularly cost effective in …
(1) sparsely populated or suburban areas
(2) hilly or flat terrain
(3) poor soil conditions: areas with rock
(4) high groundwater
(5) small communities that require lift station(s) or include creek or river crossings
(6) small communities with minimal O&M capability
STEP/STEG systems collect wastewater from each property in an underground septic tank and then pump the filtered
effluent to a centralized treatment facility or neighboring sewer, leaving solids in the tank to decompose naturally.
Figure 1. Orenco STEP System and AdvanTex Treatment Facility
STEP/STEG wastewater collection and treatment systems offer several benefits for small communities, including reduced
up-front capital costs, lower life-cycle costs, improved system performance at low flows, reduced maintenance (compared to
traditional gravity sewers), and increased reliability (allowing part-time operation). Moreover, systems can be installed in half
the time. No deep (and costly) excavations are necessary ... just a shallow trench that follows the contour of the land, smalldiameter (typically 2”-6”) mainlines, and cleanouts instead of manholes. These and many other features of alternative
collection systems can save utilities thousands of dollars in up-front costs compared to conventional solutions.
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The cost savings of STEP/STEG systems can be significant. For example, a 1998 report from the Illinois Community Action
Association, titled Alternative Wastewater Systems in Illinois, included the results of comparative bidding for both effluent
sewers and gravity sewers for the City of New Minden, IL. The cost to install an effluent sewer was $1,090,000 (1998 US
Dollars), while the cost to install a comparable gravity sewer was $2,090,000, equating to a savings of $1,000,000.
Various wastewater treatment technologies (Lagoons, SBRs, MBBRs, Conventional Activated Sludge, Extended Aeration,
MBRs, etc.) can easily be paired with Orenco Effluent Sewers. Due to the reduced organic load and hydraulic load (limited
I/I), most treatment facilities can be downsized compared to a treatment facility receiving wastewater from a conventional
gravity sewer. Consult with your local regulations for details. Orenco Effluent Sewers can also be connected to existing
gravity sewer infrastructure or connected to existing grinder sewers.
With respect to water and wastewater treatment facilities, small rural communities currently account for approximately 90%
of environmental regulation violations (Burton, 1996). To reduce the prevalence of violations, treatment system technologies
used for small communities must be able to operate for extended periods of time with low maintenance needs, and be
fundamentally easy to operate (Water Reuse, 2007). Small communities typically lack the budget and operator knowledge to
operate small-activated sludge package plants. According to Recommended Standards for Wastewater Facilities (2004 Ed.),
the activated sludge process requires close attention and competent operating supervision, including routine laboratory
control (i.e. full time oversight/operation) and requires major energy usage to meet aeration demands (i.e. high power costs).
Salvato et al (2009) notes, “Extended aeration systems require daily operational control because air blowers must be
operated continuously and sludge must be returned.”
AdvanTex Treatment Systems are designed to affordably and reliably process effluent sewer wastewater to very high
standards, with part time operation and low bio-solids production. AdvanTex Treatment Systems are modular, do not require
a large footprint, and are factory built. AdvanTex Treatment Systems provide low cost, high-level treatment without high
energy-consumption or the need for chemicals (typically) or excessive bio-solids management.
Orenco Effluent Sewer
The collection system that is the basis
of this feasibility study is an Orenco
Effluent
Sewer,
a
collection
technology that has been optimized
for more than 30 years. With an
Orenco Effluent Sewer, raw sewage
flows from the building to a watertight
underground tank, where primary
treatment occurs via settling and
natural biological processes. Solids
remain in the tank, decreasing in
volume, which reduces biosolids
treatment costs at secondary
treatment facilities. Filtered liquid
effluent is then discharged (by highhead pump or gravity) through smallFigure 2. Typical STEP system components.
diameter service laterals to smalldiameter collection lines. These
service and collection lines are shallowly buried and follow the contour of the land. The entire system is watertight, reducing
infiltration costs in conveyance and at the treatment facility. No manholes or lift stations are required and energy
consumption is minimal.
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Relatively small diameter PVC pipe, usually Class 200 but increasingly HDPE, is laid with the contour of the terrain in the
same manner as a water line. Heat-fused high-density polyethylene is the preferred material in some communities with
existing utilities, installed via directional boring.
An effluent sewer main line will be smaller than its
corresponding water main because the peak demands
are much lower. Effluent sewers generally receive
only 80 percent of the daily water usage and are not
required to satisfy fire and peak domestic flows.
The storage reserve in the septic tanks provides
sufficient holding capacity, eliminating any concern for
large hydraulic doses or flow rates. Small diameter
lines are also feasible because the effluent is
substantially free of solids, eliminating concerns for a
minimum velocity, and the lines are free of infiltration
and inflow.
There are great cost savings in the excavation and
installation of effluent sewer main lines. In normal
installations, effluent sewer main lines are installed at
shallow depth, usually 30 inches below original grade.
In colder climates, main lines are buried below frost
Figure 3. Typical small diameter forcemain installation.
depth or insulated to prevent freeze damage. Strict
vertical and horizontal alignment is unnecessary;
mains are laid quickly, without tedious surveying, and 90º bends are no problem. In septic tank effluent pump (STEP)
systems, manholes are not necessary. Pigging ports and pigging equipment facilitate line cleaning in the same manner as
water lines. To date only one STEP system on the West Coast has ever required cleaning and that was the result of
improper tankage design.
As the following chart shows, in many cases six-inch diameter class 200 PVC pipe can convey wastewater from over 1,000
homes. Actual pipe diameters are a function of static lift, peak wastewater flows, and line lengths, but remain a fraction of
the size of conventional gravity sewer lines.
Table 2. Head loss calculations for various STEP mains
EDUs
10
100
500
1000
Qp
20
65
265
515
Pipe Size, Inches
1 1/4
2
4
6
Head Loss, ft/1000 ft
35 +
54 +
32 +
16 +
1. Assumed D of 15 per EPA Manual of Practice, and nominal diameters.
Residential & Commercial Connections
Residential sewage is conveyed to a 1,000-gallon (or, occasionally, 1,500-gallon) single-compartment septic tank by way of
a standard building sewer. In effluent sewer systems, the septic tanks are often referred to as interceptor tanks.
The interceptor tank serves several physical functions critical to every system:
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! It provides sufficient hydraulic retention time for capturing grease, grit, and other substances that settle or float.
Minimum retention times from 6 to 24 hours are considered adequate.
! It allows sufficient storage capacity for sludge and scum so that septage-pumping intervals are infrequent.
! It provides reserve space adequate for 24 to 48 hours of normal operation before a system malfunction must be
corrected, thus eliminating the need for emergency maintenance. (The reserve space must also allow for adequate
tank ventilation back through the inlet plumbing.)
! It provides an operating zone sufficient to modulate peak inflows without causing nuisance alarms or excessive
hydraulic gradients.
In addition to its physical functions, the tank provides conditions conducive to biological treatment of the captured organic
matter. The organic (volatile solids) reduction is a result of facultative and anaerobic digestion that converts organic matter
to gases. Facultative microbes solubilize the complex organic material to volatile organic acids, while strict anaerobes
ferment the volatile organic acids to gases (methane, carbon dioxide, etc.). Volatile solids reduction may vary from 30 to 70
percent. The mineral or inorganic (fixed) solids content may range between 40 and 60 percent of the total solids. The
organic solids content of tanks that are well managed generally exceeds 80 percent. On average, therefore, about 55
percent of the organic matter is reduced biologically, extending the septage pumping frequency by a factor of 2.2 ±.
These tanks provide highly efficient treatment, yielding an effluent that is relatively free of fats, oils, greases, solids and other
constituents that can clog and foul collection and disposal equipment. More than 45 percent of the ultimate treatment of the
wastewater is accomplished in the septic tank. And anoxic digestion can reduce the solids handling requirements of the
treatment facility by as much as 80 percent. These issues should not be overlooked when comparing alternatives.
Multiple user sites include small clusters of homes that can be economically connected together, as well as schools, offices,
industries, institutions and commercial businesses. Commercial sites generally have one or more primary tanks followed by
a pump tank. Tanks for commercial sites range from a single 1,500-gallon size, to several tanks in series, to large poured-inplace tanks. The tank just preceding the pump tank is usually equipped with one or more effluent filters.
Schools, restaurants, meat plants, or other food processors must pay special attention to the handling of fats, oils, and
greases. Grease tanks are essential, and the effluent from them must be routed through the primary tank(s) rather than
directly to the pump tank. Daily flow, peak flow duration, and wastewater strength may necessitate additional tankage.
Adequate grease tank design requires a detailed knowledge of water temperatures, ambient temperatures, waste strength
(BOD), types of solvents, detergents, and chemical cleaners in use. Grease tanks may vary in size from one to three times
the daily flow and may require solids or grease removal as frequently as every three-to-six months.
Use of Existing On-Lot Equipment
Existing septic tanks require thorough evaluation to confirm watertightness and structural integrity before they can be used
as interceptor tanks in a new STEP/STEG sewer system. That’s because most U.S. septic tanks that are already in the
ground are structurally unsound and almost never watertight. While recently installed tanks are sometimes acceptable, when
working with older communities (e.g., Glide, Oregon) we’ve seen tank failure rates as high as 95%.
Where groundwater levels are high, leaky tanks allow infiltration that can overburden a system’s pumps and treatment
facilities. Where high groundwater is not a problem, leaky tanks exfiltrate and the scum layer lowers to the discharge ports,
causing solids and grease carryover and subsequent maintenance and pollution problems. The extra cost of a high quality
tank is insignificant when compared to the cost of maintaining and rectifying a system with inadequate tanks. Explicit design
details and specifications are necessary to ensure quality tank construction, and quality control must be uniformly enforced.
Otherwise, manufacturers of quality tanks will find it hard to compete.
Performance During Extended Power Outages
The reserve storage in the on-lot tanks is normally about 150 gallons. This allows for 24 hours of normal water usage during
a power outage, although, during an outage, most residents reduce their water usage dramatically because they are not
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washing dishes or clothes or taking hot showers. Moreover, most power disruptions last no longer than a couple of hours;
power outages of 9-12 hours are infrequent and generally considered the worst condition to allow for. In regions of the
country with extended power outages, 1,500-gallon tanks can be substituted for the standard 1,000-gallon tanks and
portable generators of at least 4,000 watts can be used to power a residential panel. Following a power outage the
hydraulics of the system will balance so that even the most remote pumps will still discharge 1 or 2 gpm into the collection
system. Turbine effluent pumps are constructed with a 1/8" diameter by-pass orifice in the discharge head that allows 3 gpm
to circulate when the pump is operating near its shut-off head. These pumps are capable of operating at shut-off,
continuously for several days, without damage to the motor or liquid end.
Odor Control Considerations
Wastewater contains organic matter and all wastewater streams are subject to odors. Septic tanks are required to be
vented, in the same manner as grinder and solids handling pumps basins — through the building sewer connection. The
constituents in all domestic wastewater streams are typically the same; the constituent concentrations and flows vary, and
the depletion of oxygen and generation of odors is directly proportional to the strength of the organic concentration.
Manufacturers of odor control systems target systems that they believe most susceptible to having odor problems … Gravity
sewers and Grinder systems are highest on their list. There are many methods used to retard or inhibit those chemical
reactions, and of all the wastewater streams to work with, STEP is the easiest because it’s essentially free of solids and
debris and the least expensive because of it’s low organic concentration.
The following is an except from the EPA’s “Alternative Wastewater Collection Systems Manual” page 75 … “With STEP
systems the tank effluent is always septic, and potentially odorous and corrosive. Some of the H2S can escape from the
septic tank, however, and some may be captured in the floating scum layer. The BOD of the effluent is lower than that of raw
or ground wastewater. Since sulfide production is generally proportional to the BOD, the STEP system effluent has a
reduced potential for total H2S production.” When tying into existing infrastructure (i.e. existing sanitary sewer manholes, lift
stations, etc.) or other instances where H2S may be liberated and released causing odor and corrosion issues, please
consult with Orenco systems for H2S control measures.
Septic Tank Area Requirements
Septic tanks are often installed in
high-density areas, encompassing
small and large commercial areas.
The following figure illustrates the
viability of installing 1,000 gal septic
tanks the highly dense small
community of Coburg, Oregon. Other
examples include; Montesano, WA,
Yelm, WA, and Lacey, WA.
A 1,000 gal tank typically has a height
of 64 inches, a width of 63 inches,
and a length of 99 inches.
Approximate excavation requirements
for a 1,000 gal tank are often; 87
inches wide, 123 inches in length.
Figure 4. Map of community (Coburg, OR) that installed STEP system.
Consult with your local tank
manufacturer and installer for local requirements. STEP installation instructions can also be downloaded at:
http://www.orenco.com/doclib/documents/NIM-EPS-1.pdf
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Summary: Key Design Features of STEP/STEG Effluent Sewers (Residential Connections)
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24-hour emergency storage (>150 gallons), eliminates the need for immediate operator response.
Average pump-out frequency of 17 years for 1,000 gal tank serving 4 occupants.
Average pump-out frequency of 23 years for 1,500 gal tank serving 5 occupants.
Caustic chemicals and other system abuses are limited to interceptor tanks and easily identified.
Ability to use directional boring reduces conflicts with other utilities during installation.
Low pump repair and replacement costs of less than $1.50/month/EDU. Long pump life of 20 to 30 years.
Pumps come with a standard 5-year warranty.
Pumps are lightweight, typically 30 lbs.
Energy costs to operate residential pumps are <$1.50/month/EDU.
If terrain/hydraulics permit, gravity (STEG) connections are allowed.
1” diameter service laterals and small diameter conveyance system, typically 2”-4”, are used.
Force mains follow the contour of the land and are installed at shallow burial depths.
Minimum velocities are not required.
Watertight collection system is largely immune to I/I.
Inexpensive cleanouts replace expensive manholes, but only where cleanouts are needed (terminal end of
mainlines).
Lift stations are typically not required.
Downstream WWTP influent screening and grit removal are not required.
Solids management at the treatment facility is reduced due to low influent TSS.
Sludge thickening (gravity thickening) in primary settling tanks.
Infrastructure Phasing and Non-Mandatory Connections
Orenco Effluent Sewers provide the most cost-effective collection system option for phased approaches. The cost to
upsize/oversize the small-diameter pipe in the conveyance system is minimal … typically a small percentage of total project
costs. In addition, up to 85% of the cost of Orenco Effluent Sewers is associated with on-lot equipment packages (the STEP
system), not the conveyance system (the mainlines). And these on-lot packages are not required until a connection is made
to the system. Plus, O&M costs for STEP/STEG systems are almost fully attributed to the on-site pump and tank and the
treatment.
With STEP/STEG systems, both the on-site system and the treatment capacity can easily be deferred to the time of
connection. Consequently, the issue of mandatory connections can be revisited. We recommend that the performance of
existing septic systems be evaluated and recommended for mandatory connection based on that evaluation, while newer
systems be allowed to remain in service provided they are regularly inspected.
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SECTION 3: SCOPE OF SUPPLY AND CAPITAL COST ESTIMATES
Orenco Effluent Sewer Collection System
The following cost estimates are derived from recent bid tabulations from similarly sized STEP projects. Refer to the
following paper for additional details. Furthermore, several bid tabulations from small communities with Orenco collection
and treatment systems are available upon request.
http://sfdocs.orenco.com/2015/5/Small_Community_Collection_Costs.pdf
Typical unit costs for material estimates for a 1,000 gal septic tank equipped with a STEP package are listed below. All
estimates include Orenco and non-Orenco materials; consequently, this is only a rough estimate and intended for budgetary
and evaluation purposes. Construction estimates are in today’s dollars. The estimates are approximate and require thorough
evaluation and confirmation. Costs do not incorporate bridge crossings, railroad crossings, interstate crossings,
asphalt/concrete repair, rock excavation, etc.
Table 3. Typical material costs for STEP package with 1,000 gal tank.
Number of Residential Connections (EDUs)
1,000 gal STEP System Estimate (Per Unit)
Interceptor Tank, 1000 gal*
Interceptor Tank Access Equipment (2 ft & 4ft Burial Depth)
STEP Pumping Equipment
Control Panel (Telemetry & Non-Telemetry)
Connection (ball valve, check valve, access riser)**
Shipping Estimate (10% of Materials)
94
Cost/Unit ($)
$1,260
$398
$1,401
$455
Total (Per Unit)
Subtotal for (94) Residential Connections
$123
$351
$3,989
$374,979
*Costs
include Orenco and non-Orenco equipment. Building sewer costs not included. Tank is assumed pre-cast concrete and costs are
for estimating purposes only. Installation costs not provided.
**Costs do not include service lateral from pumping system to forcemain.
Installation, bedding, backfill, fittings, and mobilization costs not included in package estimate.
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SECTION 4: OPERATION & MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES AND COST ESTIMATES
Orenco Effluent Sewer (STEP) O&M
The O&M costs for a STEP system can be broken into two major components. The first component is the onsite system
(also known as an “on-lot” system). The onsite or on-lot system includes the tank, effluent filter, pumps and controls, building
sewer, and service lateral that are located on each individual property. The second component is the conveyance system.
The conveyance system includes the collection mains, air release valves, odor control filters, and shutoff valves, all of which
are typically located in the community’s right-of-way. Manholes and lift stations are not normally required for STEP systems.
In the context of the overall system, the O&M cost of the conveyance component (mainlines, air release valves, etc.) is
normally insignificant.
The O&M of onsite pump systems is best served when the owner of the overall system, not the property owner, manages
the onsite components. The O&M of onsite STEP systems is typically divided into two activities: proactive maintenance (PM)
and reactive maintenance (RM). Practically speaking, the most cost-efficient STEP management approaches balance PM
and RM to achieve the lowest overall cost for O&M. The STEP systems that typically achieve the best overall O&M cost tend
to base them on the required PM cycles for each different component. For example, tank effluent screens typically need
inspection and, if necessary, cleaning every three to four years. The minimum frequency for pump and controls inspection is
also about one year. Thus, a program can be designed to do these annually required tasks, and, during those visits, do the
other less frequently required tasks at their required frequency, such as measuring sludge/scum accumulations every three
years to determine tank pump-out intervals. As the records of high-quality STEP components are verified by experience,
these minimum frequencies may be extended.
One of the most costly components of STEP O&M is tank pump-outs. Extended tank pump-out intervals can be achieved
through the use of larger tanks and through the measurement of sludge and scum accumulation. When a management
program is in place, as is the case with centrally managed STEP systems, operators can arrange for earlier pump-out
intervals for systems that have higher accumulation rates while extending pump-outs for systems with lower accumulation
rates, providing cost efficiencies. Long-term studies have found that managed STEP tank pump-out programs can achieve
pump-out intervals in excess of 10 years.
Table 4. Anticipated Pump Out Frequencies.
Glide Effluent Sewer 1987 Audit
Average Pump-outs (1,000 Gallon Tank)
Number of Occupants
2
Pump-Out Interval, yrs.
55
3
28
4
17
95% Level of Confidence Pump-Outs (1,000 Gallon Tank)*
Number of Occupants
2
3
Pump-Out Interval, yrs.
22
11
4
7
*95% Level of Confidence is defined as 95 out of 100 tanks will not require pumping
within that specific recorded pump-out interval shown above.
Estimated operation and maintenance costs for the recommended STEP system for the residential connections assuming
1,000 gal STEP tanks having a pump out interval of 7 years are provided in the table below.
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Table 5. O&M Cost Estimate: Collection (Based on 7 year pump out interval)
STEP O&M Cost Summary
System Option
Collection
($/Mo/EDU)
Annual O&M Cost
$7.06
$7,968.07
Cost estimate for tank pump-outs is based on $300/ tank pump out on a 7-year pump out interval and includes, pumping,
hauling, tipping fee and disposal. STEP system O&M costs include primary tank pump-out costs, pro-active maintenance
procedures, re-active maintenance requirements, and equipment repair and replacement. Mainline O&M requirements and
costs are unaccounted for, but are generally minor compared to on-lot maintenance costs and requirements. Since Orenco
Effluent Sewers utilize 10 gpm, ½ Hp, 115V, Single Phase pumps, the typical electrical consumption equates to roughly $1 $2/month per residence. Typically the individual residence supplies the power source for the STEP system, as the 115V
service is readily available and the electrical cost increase is minimal.
For an itemized breakdown that makes up the STEP O&M Cost Summary, please contact Orenco Systems. An itemized
breakdown of O&M costs is available upon request.
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SECTION 5: LIFE CYCLE CONSIDERATIONS AND O&M COST COMPARISONS
Collection System Comparison
It is commonly believed that the present worth costs of effluent sewers are greater than those of gravity sewers, despite the
major savings in capital costs with effluent sewers. This belief stems from a lack of information about effluent sewer O&M
costs, as well as a tendency to underestimate gravity sewer O&M costs.
For decades, engineers have had limited access to detailed costs — constructed costs and O&M costs — for all sewer
technologies. As we know, costs for decentralized sewers are still not included in most college curricula or other educational
venues. So conservatively estimating costs is a prudent and common practice in the absence of reliable and proven cost
and performance data.
However, engineers, regulators, owners, and funding agencies now have access to decades worth of capital and O&M cost
data, from Orenco as well as from third-party organizations such as WERF. Dozens of actual bid tabulations are available
for reference, as well as actual O&M costs from systems that were constructed in the 1980’s.
Additionally, effluent sewers incorporate primary treatment into the collection system, they typically provide a deduct at the
treatment facility due to the elimination of primary clarifiers and influent screens. Effluent sewers also reduce long-term costs
associated with electrical usage, which constitutes between 25 to 40 percent of a typical wastewater treatment plant's
operating budget. As a result of the treatment system capital deducts and the O&M deducts associated with effluent sewers,
engineers and communities should evaluate various collection and treatment systems together, not separately or
independently.
For instance, the following table provides a sample capital cost and operational cost summary of effluent, grinder, gravity,
and vacuum sewers, according to “WERF’s Wastewater Planning Model, Version 1.0.” Model output is based on a 200-unit
example.
Source: http://www.werf.org/i/c/DecentralizedCost/Decentralized_Cost.aspx
Table 6. WERF Wastewater Planning Model: Low Pressure Sewer (Grinder) and Effluent Sewer
Cost Description
Cost of Collection Network
Installation Cost of On-Lot
Total Installation Cost
Total System Cost / Conn.
Annual On-Lot O&M
Low Pressure (Grinder) Sewer
$525,950 to $788,925
$4,291 to $6,436
$1,384,090 to $2,076,135
$6,920 to $10,381
$224 to $336
Effluent Sewer
$516,179 to $774,268
$2,625 to $3,938
$1,041,232 to $1,561,848
$5,206 to $7,809
$63 to $78
Table 7. WERF Wastewater Planning Model: Gravity Sewer
Cost Description
Cost of Collection Network
Installation Cost of On-Lot
Total Installation Cost
Total System Cost/Conn.
Annual On-Lot O&M
Gravity Sewer
$3,092,330 to $4,638,494
$726 to $1,088
$4,638,494 to $5,001,322
$23,192 to $25,007
$16 to $24
Orenco has also published life cycle cost data in the paper “Operational Costs of Two Pressure Sewer Technologies:
Effluent (STEP) Sewers and Grinder Sewer” (http://sfdocs.orenco.com/2015/5/Two_Pressure_Sewer_Paper.pdf). This
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technical paper compares the O&M requirements of STEP and Grinder collection systems, as summarized in the following
table:
Table 8. Operational Costs of Two Pressure Sewers - STEP vs. Grinder (residential)
Cost Summary
Grinder Collection
STEP Collection
Proactive
Maintenance
($/month/EDU)
$1.60
$1.60
Reactive
Maintenance
($/month/EDU)
$1.90
$0.60
Equipment R&R
($/month/EDU)
$13.41
$2.81
Solids
Management
($/month/EDU)
Required at WWTP
$2.04
Total O&M
($/month/EDU)
$16.91
$7.05
The figures in Table 17 show that, over a typical 30-year time-span at a 4% effective annual interest rate, the difference in
present worth between an effluent sewer and a grinder sewer for a 100-home community is $204,598.94.
LIFE-CYCLE COST ESTIMATE EXAMPLE
Present Worth Analysis
This Present Worth analysis is based on a 30 yr. term and 4% interest rate, for a community with 200 connections that will
incorporate subsurface dispersal. The capital cost figures for treatment were derived from a project in Alabama that was
publically bid and ended up installing an AdvanTex treatment facility. Capital cost figures for collection were derived from a
number of publically bid collection systems as found in the Small Community Collection Systems: Construction Costs paper
that is referenced in Section 3.
Number of Residential Connections:
No Commercial Connections
Subsurface Discharge
Option 1: STEP to AdvanTex
Option 2: Grinder to MBBR
200 EDUs
Average Daily Flow (Qi): 35,000 gpd
Design Daily Flow (Qp): 70,000 gpd
Permit Limits:
BOD & TSS
Based from average collection cost figures from the Small Community Collection Systems: Construction Costs technical
paper, which was derived from over (40) publically bid projects., the following Capital Costs for Collection is provided:
Table 9. Example - Collection Up-Front Construction Costs
Collection System
STEP Collection
Grinder Collection
Number of EDUs
200
200
Unit Price*
$9,702
$11,468
Total Cost
$1,940,400
$2,293,600
*Unit Price includes all constructed components of the collection system (mainlines, on-lot components, electrical, site restoration, etc.
Operational costs of the collection systems are provided based upon many different sources such as WERF, existing
collection systems, and data referenced in Section 6 – Collection System Comparison in this report.
Table 10. Example - Collection O&M Costs
Collection System
Number of EDUs
STEP Collection
Grinder Collection
200
200
O&M
Costs/Mo/EDU*
$7.05
$16.91
Annual
O&M Costs
$16,920
$40,584
Present Worth**
$292,581
$701,780
*O&M Costs only include costs for on-lot components. Though STEP systems typical have negligible costs on mainlines, Grinder
collection systems generally have extensive mainline maintenance, including periodic mainline flushing, air release valve replacement
and ventilation, etc. These mainline maintenance costs are note included.
**Present Worth is Amortized over 30 years at 4%.
Based on a publically bid project, the following up front capital cost for the two different treatment technologies is provided.
Orenco Systems, Inc.
Page 15
Therefore, the Total Present Worth for each option is as follows:
To accurately compare collection system technologies and avoid future financial problems for the community, decisionmakers must evaluate these life cycle and present worth costs during the selection process and plan for them in the
management and rate-setting process.
For more detailed information or questions, feel free to visit www.orenco.com or contact Orenco Systems at 1-800-348-9843
Orenco Systems, Inc.
Page 16
Treats flows from 200 to 100,000 gpd
• Remote monitoring control options
• Minimal energy usage
• Durable UV resistant fiberglass construction
• Sealed and insulated for seasonal conditions
Sealed and insulated for seasonal conditions
• Quiet operation
• Gravity flow system
• Small footprint / Compact design
• Self adjusting process control
Self adjusting process control
• Fully automated pump system
material is consumed by a
trickles through the biofilter, organic exceed NSF and EPA standards. As water solids (TSS) to levels that meet or demand (BOD5) and total suspended Bioclere reduces biochemical oxygen yg
operate.
simple to maintain and inexpensive to • Internal flow stabilization treats intermittent flows
fixed film treatment process is stable,
fixed film treatment process is stable, intermittent flows. Bioclere’s natural nutrient concentrations as well as wastewater with varying organic and a clarifier. It is designed to treat a clarifier It is designed to treat
Bioclere is a modified trickling filter over • Treats high strength wastewater
Treats high strength wastewater
installation and operation
• Cost effective treatment with efficient
•
Features & Benefits
The Bioclere Advantage
treatment process.
temperature variations on the minimize the impact of seasonal systems are sealed and insulated to achieve high levels of treatment. The accommodate large flows or in series to can be installed in parallel to Bioclere is a modular technology. Units component or the disposal area.
displaced to the next treatment secondary sludge and treated water is returned to the primary tank as solids from the biofilter filter are on the surface of the media. Sloughed population of microorganisms that form wastewater treatment.
light industrial and municipal g
p
Residential, commercial, institutional, Applications include to achieve < 10 mg/l total nitrogen.
g/
g
Bioclere and a tertiary anoxic reactor incorporate a second stage nitrifying tank. Large Bioclere systems may Bioclere back to the primary settling
Bioclere back to the primary settling recirculating nitrified water from the substantially and cost effectively by nitrogen. Total nitrogen is reduced consistently convert and reduce consistently convert and reduce
Bioclere systems can be designed to Nitrogen Reduction
Wastewater Treatment Systems
3
0
50
100
150
200
250
program.
Conccentraction (mg/l)
TSS
TN
www.aquapoint.com
Standard Single BioclereTM Installation: 39 Tarkiln Place
39
Tarkiln Place
New Bedford, Massachusetts 02745
T: 508‐985‐9050 x105 (Sales) f: 508‐985‐9072
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) technology verification program. Total nitrogen results can be viewed at www.EPA.GOV/ETV. Above TN results are based on achievable standards.
Bioclere 16/12‐350 is ANSI/NSF Standard 40 certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). The above performance results (BOD & TSS) are
based on a six month accumulative average from NSF’s certification testing BOD
Bioclere's recirculation process reduces nitrogen and dilutes primary tank effluent.
Effluent
Primary Tank
Typical Raw Influent
• Remote Monitoring Control Options
• Fully Automated Systems
• Minimal O&M Requirements
• Expandable & Flexible Design Arrangements
• Minimal Sludge Generation
• Cold Climate Nitrification / Denitrification
• Durable UV Resistant HDPE Biofilm Carriers
• Modular Pre‐constructed Systems
• Cost Effective Plant Upgrades / Retrofits
• Small Footprint / Compact Design • Fixed‐Film Process
• Treats Flows From 0.001 to 2 MGD
Features & Benefits
Biofilm Carriers
bacteria in the biofilm is self‐regulating and produces minimal sludge. These characteristics eliminate the need to actively manage mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), food to microorganism (F/M) ratios and return activated sludge (RAS). operate in motion within an aerated or mechanically mixed basin. Each carrier element incorporates multiple protected cells with significant surface area to sustain a dense community of attached growth microorganisms. As the neutrally enhanced nitrification/denitrification, bacteria provides high‐rate productivity, treatment. The dense population of reduces the pollutants thus providing the biofilm which absorbs, oxidizes and organic/inorganic material is available to water column, oxygen and of stainless, epoxy coated carbon steel, geometries. Reactors can be constructed in a variety of materials and tank AquaCELL treatment systems are available New Construction or Upgrades
that is easy to operate and highly reliable. The result is a one pass treatment process In attached growth MBBR systems, the polyethylene (HDPE) biofilm carriers buoyant carriers move throughout the Simple Operation
of operation. process stability, small footprint and ease which thousands of submerged moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) in AquaCELL is a state of the art fixed‐film The AquaCELL Advantage
requiring little operations oversight.
and/or aesthetic concerns ‐ sites and upgrades ‐ sites with limited space nitrification & denitrification ‐ retrofits waste streams ‐ roughing reactors –
Residential, industrial and high strength Applications Include:
upgrades. solution for capacity and/or performance existing plant making it a cost effective designed to fit within the chambers of an site. Additionally, AquaCELL can be to fit the specific requirements of your and pre‐constructed or custom designed Aquapoint systems are pre‐engineered installed above ground or below grade. fiberglass or concrete and can be Wastewater Treatment Systems
39 Tarkiln Place
New Bedford, Massachusetts 02745
T: 508‐985‐9050 x105 (Sales) F: 508‐985‐9072
AN1
R
AN1 + AN2 = Anoxic
AR1 + AR2 = Aerobic
R = Recycle
RA = Re‐Aeration
C = Clarifier
WS = Waste Sludge
Legend:
AR1
AN1
R
AR2
R
AR1
AR1
AR2
AN2
AR2
AquaCELL Design Configurations
7/8”
RA
R
C
C
C
AquaCELL (ENR)
< 20 mg/l BOD
< 20 mg/l TSS
< 1 mg/l NH3‐N
< 3 mg/l TN
AquaCELL (MLE)
< 20 mg/l BOD
< 20 mg/l TSS
< 1 mg/l NH3‐N
< 10 mg/l TN
www.aquapoint.com
WS
WS
WS
AquaCELL (AER)
< 20 mg/l BOD
< 20 mg/l TSS
< 1 mg/l NH3‐N
resistant HDPE plastic giving them durability and a long life span regardless of the application. Their neutral buoyancy is critical to effective mixing within a reactor and ultimately provides an increase in treatment efficiency. Each carrier has a large internal protected surface area for biological growth. The apertures are engineered to allow for adequate scouring velocities and sloughing before biological plugging occurs.
AquaCELL Biofilm Carriers are constructed of UV CAPABILITIES PROFILE
A Q U A P O I N T. C O M
Aquapoint provides engineers and
owners with the most reliable and
cost effective wastewater treatment
solutions available for residential,
commercial and municipal applications.
Scope
Aquapoint integrates wastewater treatment solutions and services
including: Design Assistance, Technical Permitting Support,
Manufacture, Installation and Operation of advanced wastewater
treatment systems.
For over 20 years Aquapoint has helped engineers deliver client
satisfaction by providing customized wastewater treatment solutions
that meet the highest standards of compliance.
Applications
RESIDENTIAL
Single Family Homes, Clustered Systems, Residential Communities,
Apartment Complexes
COMMERCIAL
Hotels, Supermarkets, Service Stations, Restaurants, Multi Purpose
Commercial, Shopping Plazas
INDUSTRIAL PRE TREATMENT
Surcharge Reduction with rapid Return on Investment (ROI)
MILITARY/FEDERAL
Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba | NASA Space Center Stennis, MS
MUNICIPAL WWTP RETROFITS & UPGRADES
Fairfield, PA | Otis, MA | Moyock, NC | Lagoon Upgrades
SOME OF OUR CUSTOMERS
Mission
A Q U A P O I N T. C O M
Treatment Technologies
Aquapoint specializes in High Strength Wastewater Treatment, Strict Effluent Requirements and
offers the most cost effective Nitrogen Removing solutions available in the industry. We utilize
Attached Growth/Fixed Film biological processes and have over 100 years of combined
experience with these technologies.
Trickling Filter over a Clarifier
Hybrid MBBR & Trickling Filter
Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR)
Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS)
TERTIARY TREATMENT COMPONENTS
Granular & Cloth Filtration
UV Disinfection & Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Reduction
Microfiltration
Reverse Osmosis
DISCHARGE OPTIONS
Surface & Stream
Groundwater/Dispersal Field
Spray & Drip Irrigation
Water Re-Use
Regulatory Acceptance
Aquapoint wastewater treatment systems have earned regulatory approval with documented performance from
over 600 installations across 30 states and 4 continents.
NSF | EPA/ETV | Massachusetts DEP | Maryland DoE | NCDNER | USDA Rural | The 10 States Standards
Performance You Can Trust
The New Jersey Pinelands Commission has conducted the most comprehensive study of
nitrogen reducing residential wastewater treatment technologies to date. The comparison
included leaders from across the industry and consisted of a 5-year, real-world performance
and cost analysis. Aquapoint systems were recognized as BOTH the highest performing
and most cost effective wastewater treatment systems in the study.
Download the full report at www.state.nj.us/pinelands/landuse/waste/2010.pdf
To inquire about a
Wastewater Treatment
Project or to request
an initial Design & Cost
Estimate, contact the
Aquapoint Sales and
Engineering team with the
information provided here.
Additional technical
information is available
at anytime. Contact us
to arrange a Webinar or
for more comprehensive
technical and
performance data.
39 Tarkiln Place
New Bedford, MA 02745
(508) 985.9050
Sales@Aquapoint.com
A Q U A P O I N T. C O M
BIOFILMCARRIER
AquaCELLTM 270 biofilm carriers move freely
within an aerated or mechanically mixed
wastewater treatment process and provide a
high specific surface area for biofilm growth.
As the carrier elements migrate throughout
the water column, wastewater passes
through the protected internal cells allowing
contact between organic/inorganic waste and
the fixed biofilm thus providing treatment.
FEATURES:
 High‐Density Biofilm Growth
 High Surface Area to Volume Ratio
 Robust Structural Integrity
SPECIFICATIONS:
 Optimal Specific Gravity
Diameter
22mm7/8inches
Length
16mm5/8inches
BENEFITS:
Weight
136kg/m 8.5lbs/ft
 ExcellentHydrodynamicsandMass
TransferEfficiency
SpecificGravity
0.94to0.96
VoidSpace
>90%
Material
High‐DensityPolyethylene(HDPE)
 UV Inhibitor Capability
 DenseFixed‐FilmPopulationofResilientand
AdaptiveMicroorganisms
 LargeOpenCellsIdealforHighStrength
WasteLoadsandRobustBiofilmGrowth
 LongLifeCyclewithResistance
toCorrosion
3
ProtectedSurfaceArea 270m2/m 82ft2/ft
 CostEffectiveTreatmentOption
3
3
PACKAGING:
Packaging
 LowMixingEnergyRequirements
 EasytoInstall
3
Polypropylenefabricbagswithtopopening,
fourtopmountedliftingstraps(locatedon
corners)andbottomdrawstringchutewith
fasterners
TM
3
EachAquaCELL 270mediabagcontains1m
PackageSize&Weight (35.3ft3)andweighsapproximately299lbs
(136kg)
Shipping&Offloading
Bagsarestackedtwohighonstandard4x4ft
pallets.Mediaisshippedonenclosedorflat
bedtrailers.Forkliftorlargeliftingmachine
requiredforoffloading.
MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION
AquaPoint’s AquaCELLTM270 Biofilm Carriers are
manufactured from virgin high‐density polyethylene
(HDPE) and are designed for long life operation with
resistance to damage from handling, pH fluctuation,
corrosion and a wide temperature range. HDPE is a cost
effective, durable non‐toxic material which makes it ideal
for wastewater treatment applications. UV inhibitors may
be compounded with the material during production to
provide protection from UV degradation.
APPLICATIONS:
 SinglePassMovingBedBiofilmReactors
(MBBRs)
 IntegratedFixed‐FilmActivatedSludge(IFAS)
 RoughingReactors
CHARACTERISTICS
AquaPoint Biofilm Carriers are designed for the most
productive surface area per unit volume by maintaining
large internal cells for efficient mass transfer of substrate,
oxygen and nutrients. The cell size is designed to allow
for adequate scouring and to limit potential for plugging.
 HighStrengthWasteStreams
 Multi‐StagedTreatmentforEnhancedBio‐
Kinetics
 BOD/COD/TOCReduction
Each carrier has a geometric configuration as depicted.
Each cylindrical piece is divided into quarters by two
perpendicular vanes that span the diameter of the piece.
 AmmoniaRemoval/Nitrification
Guidelines for handling and installing AquaPoint Biofilm
Carriers are available from AquaPoint and must be
followed by the contractor and operator to prevent
damage during installation and maintenance.
 ModifiedLudzackEttinger(MLE)
Arrangements
7/8”
 Denitrification
 Enhancednutrientremoval(ENR)
Arrangements
5/8”
39TarkilnPlace
NewBedford,MA02745
T(508)985‐9050│ F(508)985‐9072
AQUAPOINT.COM
BIOFILMCARRIER
AquaCELLTM 466 biofilm carriers move freely
within an aerated or mechanically mixed
wastewater treatment process and provide a
high specific surface area for biofilm growth.
As the carrier elements migrate throughout
the water column, wastewater passes
through the protected internal cells allowing
contact between organic/inorganic waste and
the fixed biofilm thus providing treatment.
FEATURES
 High‐Density Biofilm Growth
 Large Surface Area to Volume Ratio
 Robust Structural Integrity
SPECIFICATIONS
 Optimal Specific Gravity
 UV Inhibitor Capability
BENEFITS
 ExcellentHydrodynamicsandMass
TransferEfficiency
 DenseFixed‐FilmPopulationofResilientand
AdaptiveMicroorganisms
 LongLifeCyclewithResistance
toCorrosion
Diameter
22mm7/8inches
Length
16mm5/8inches
Weight
159kg/m 9.8lbs/ft
3
 CostEffectiveTreatmentOptionforNew
BuildandRetrofitApplications
3
ProtectedSurfaceArea 466m2/m 141ft2/ft
3
SpecificGravity
0.94to0.96
VoidSpace
>80%
Material
High‐DensityPolyethylene(HDPE)
PACKAGING
 LowMixingEnergyRequirements
 EasytoInstall
3
Packaging
Polypropylenefabricbagswithtopopening,
fourtopmountedliftingstraps(locatedon
corners)andbottomdrawstringchutewith
fasterners
TM
3
EachAquaCELL 466mediabagcontains1m
PackageSize&Weight (35.3ft3)andweighsapproximately350lbs
(159kg)
Shipping&Offloading
Bagsarestackedtwohighonstandard4x4ft
pallets.Mediaisshippedonenclosedorflat
bedtrailers.Forkliftorlargeliftingmachine
requiredforoffloading.
MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION
AquaPoint’s AquaCELLTM466 Biofilm Carriers are
manufactured from virgin high‐density polyethylene
(HDPE) and are designed for long life operation with
resistance to damage from handling, pH fluctuation,
corrosion and a wide temperature range. HDPE is a cost
effective, durable non‐toxic material which makes it ideal
for wastewater treatment applications. UV inhibitors may
be compounded with the material during production to
provide protection from UV degradation.
APPLICATIONS
 SinglePassMovingBedBiofilmReactors
(MBBRs)
 IntegratedFixed‐FilmActivatedSludge(IFAS)
CHARACTERISTICS
 RoughingReactors
AquaPoint Biofilm Carriers are designed for the most
productive surface area per unit volume by maintaining
large internal cells for efficient mass transfer of substrate,
oxygen and nutrients. The cell size is designed to allow
for adequate scouring and to limit potential for plugging.
Each carrier has a geometric configuration as depicted.
The Inner and outer cylinders are connected by twelve
radial vanes, two of which protrude into the center
cylinder dividing it equally in half.
Guidelines for handling and installing AquaPoint Biofilm
Carriers are available from AquaPoint and must be
followed by the contractor and operator to prevent
damage during installation and maintenance.
7/8”
 Multi‐StagedTreatmentforEnhancedBio‐
Kinetics
 BOD/COD/TOCReduction
 AmmoniaRemoval/Nitrification
 Denitrification
 ModifiedLudzackEttinger(MLE)
Arrangements
 EnhancedNutrientRemoval(ENR)
Arrangements
5/8”
39TarkilnPlace
NewBedford,MA02745
T(508)985‐9050│ F(508)985‐9072
AQUAPOINT.COM
MEDIARETENTIONSCREEN
TECHNICALSPECIFICATIONS
AquaPoint media retention screens are
designed to retain AquaCELLTM biofilm carriers
in the appropriate reactor basin and allow for
the passage of effluent and suspended solids to
the next stage of the treatment process. Media
screens are cylindrical or flat plate and are
provided as flange mounted units or housed in
an effluent tee for easy removal.
As biofilm carriers move throughout the water
column in an aerated or mixed basin they
regularly contact the media retention
screen(s) and scour the surface to prevent
biomass accumulation in the screen orifices.
Thus the screens do not typically require
manual cleaning.
FlangeMountedMediaRetentionScreens
MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION
AquaPointmediaretentionscreensand
supportbracketsaremanufacturedofAISI
304Lstainlesssteel.Removablescreensare
housedinstainlesssteelorPVCeffluenttees.
SCREEN CHARACTERISTICS
Screens shall be all welded, continuous slot
profile 93V wedge wire. Inlet slots shall widen
inward from the screen surface so as to
minimize the entrapment of debris in the
openings.
BiofilmCarriers&MediaRetentionScreen
 Maximum Screen Head Loss: < 1”
 Design Capacity: Site Specific
 Minimum Open Space: > 70%
 Maximum Loading Rate: < 35 gal/min/sqft
 Maximum Screen Slot Opening: 0.375” sq
 Minimum Free Board: 18”
 Maximum Length to Diameter Ratio: 10:1
 Minimum Distance from Tank Wall: 1 dia
RemovableMediaRetentionScreen
39TarkilnPlace
NewBedford,MA02745
T(508)985‐9050│ F(508)985‐9072
www.aquapoint.com
To:
Fr:
Subj:
Re:
Robert Eichinger / Onsite Engineering
Steve Sedgwick
Hamlet of Orient / 5,000 gpd. Proposal
Date: Wednesday, July 08, 2015
Thanks once again for giving Aquapoint the opportunity to offer preliminary specifications and pricing for
your Hamlet of Orient project. Please note in the table below that the influent BOD, TSS & TKN
concentrations are the same as the influent concentrations for the 30,000 gpd. proposal we prepared and
sent to you earlier. Effluent standards also remain the same.
Approach
We propose to use (2) of our 24/30 – 950 Biocleres in series, preceded by an aerated EQ tank, and followed
by a 6’ sq. Moving Bed Anoxic Reactor to complete de-nitrification before final settling and discharge.
Notes & Assumptions –
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Design flow rate - 5,000
Collection system: STEP / STEG
Grease traps for food preparation areas.
Influent / Effluent Characteristics as follows:
pH
Temp
Influent
6.5
8.5
L:10oC
H:30oC
Effluent
6.5
8.5
CBOD
(mg/l)
COD
(mg/l)
TSS
(mg/l)
TKN
(mg/l)
Nitrate
(mg/l)
TN
(mg/l)
240
N.A.
240
65
-
-
< 30
NA
< 30
-
NA
< 10
Alkalinity
(mg/l)
Supplement as
needed
FOG
(mg/l)
12
NA
Summary System Descriptions - - Primary Settling  Aerated EQ Bioclere Units  MB AnoxicFinal
discharge.
Aquapoint Supplied Equipment:

EQ package including pumps and controls

2 Hp. Subair roto w/ controls – (to aerate the EQ tank)

(2) 24/30 – 950 Biocleres
Aquapoint.3, LLC • 39 Tarkiln Place • New Bedford, MA 02745 • 508.985.9050 • www.aquapoint.com

Post lift pump package including pumps and controls

MB Anoxic Pkg. including media, UET mixer & controls

(1) ST – 50 alkalinity feed system

Engineering design report, specifications, drawings, submittals and technical manuals

One (1) man-day onsite technical assistance for installation and start up.
Price Estimate
Aquapoint Treatment System F.O.B. Factory.......................................................................... $ 105,040
Estimated Freight ………………………………………………………………………......... $ 2,250
Tanks & Equipment by Others
For Partial Treatment (Your Option 2)






(1) 5,000 gallon primary settling tank
(1) 2,000 EQ tank (to be aerated)
(2) 8’ SQ x 10” thick concrete Bioclere base pad.
(1) 1,077 gallon MB Anoxic tank – 6’ sq. x 4’ SWD 6’ OAH (dimensions important)
Final effluent distribution system
Small heated control room or Aquapoint can supply a small heated enclosure for approx. $ 5,000.
Installation
Only those items indicated above are included and will be furnished. Labor is not included. All other items
will be furnished by others including but not limited to excavation, off-loading, reactor tanks, electric service
to control panels, collection & disposal system, finish grading, mounting and wiring pre-wired components,
external piping, field erection, backfilling, water to fill tank, control building, fencing & misc.
Installations in ground water conditions require anti-floatation ballast backfill as necessary.
System components supplied by Aquapoint are to be installed by others.
Additional Considerations & Review
This estimate reflects the design parameters as indicated above and assumes no other environmental factors
that will adversely affect treatment. Toxic products inhibit or kill bacteria necessary for treatment and must
not be discharged to the wastewater system.
This proposal represents our best efforts to be as complete and accurate as possible. However, due to
assumptions made in the interest of generating a timely estimate it is provided for budget purposes only and
cannot be used to purchase system equipment. After clarification of all necessary information including final
Aquapoint.3, LLC • 39 Tarkiln Place • New Bedford, MA 02745 • 508.985.9050 • www.aquapoint.com
approved plans and permit(s), a firm equipment scope of supply and bid price will be provided for purchase
of equipment. We are available to discuss this budget proposal to collaboratively devise a system that meets
your needs.
In providing this estimate Aquapoint has relied exclusively on information provided by the addressee and on
the assumptions stated herein. The addressee acknowledges and affirms that Aquapoint assumes no liability
with respect to the addressee or any third party for the estimates.
Please provide final written confirmation of design specifications, site characteristics and treatment
requirements prior to final design.
Freight & Delivery
Pricing is FOB factory and does not include applicable taxes. Freight charges are estimated to be confirmed at
the time of bid. Delivery is typically within 6 - 8 weeks of receipt of an order with deposit.
Equipment Warranty
Equipment supplied by Aquapoint.3, LLC is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for one
year from the date of installation or 18 months from the date of delivery. Extended warranties are available
on request.
Thank you for your consideration. Please contact me with any questions or comments.
Aquapoint.3, LLC • 39 Tarkiln Place • New Bedford, MA 02745 • 508.985.9050 • www.aquapoint.com
To:
Fr:
Re:
Date:
Robert Eichinger / Onsite Engineering
Steve Sedgwick, Aquapoint
Preliminary Proposal – Hamlet of Orient
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Thank you for the opportunity to present this proposal, the attached drawing and Aquapoint “project
snapshots” which demonstrate significant de-nitrification in cold weather environments. Both of the process
– Bioclere and AquaCELL (MBBR) – we have specified in meeting Hamlet of Orient’s wastewater treatment
requirements were developed in cold weather countries – Finland and Canada respectively.
Approach
A BioclereOH integrated moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) and trickling filter process shall be configured to
treat 30,000 gpd. Primary settling and flow equalization tanks shall precede the biological treatment stages.
The first stage MBBR shall oxidize BOD and provide partial nitrification. The second stage Bioclere tickling
filter units with integral clarifiers shall complete nitrification and provide secondary settling of biological
solids. Settled solids from the Bioclere unit shall be recycled to the primary settling tank. Aerobic effluent
will enter a tertiary stage anoxic reactor before being pumped to a re-aeration settling tank before final
discharge
Notes & Assumptions
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Design flow rate 30,000 gpd
Collection system: S.T.E.P. / S.T.E.G.
Grease traps for food preparation areas if any.
Flow equalization shall be provided to reduce peaking factor to 2X.
(5) Influent / Effluent Characteristics as follows:
Influent
Effluent
pH
Temp
6.5
8.5
6.5
8.5
L:10oC
H:30oC
CBOD
(mg/l)
COD
(mg/l)
TSS
(mg/l)
TKN
(mg/l)
NH3
(mg/l)
TN
(mg/l)
240
N.A.
240
65
-
-
< 30
NA
< 30
-
< 10
Alkalinity
(mg/l)
Supplement as
needed
TP
(mg/l)
12
N.A.
Aquapoint.3, LLC • 39 Tarkiln Place • New Bedford, MA 02745 • 508.985.9050 • www.aquapoint.com
Summary System Description
Grease Traps  Primary Settling  Flow Equalization  Aerobic MBBR  Bioclere Units  Post Anoxic
Zone Final settling Final Discharge








(1) 30,000 gallon primary settling tank
(1) 10,000 gallon flow equalization tank
(1) 7,500 gallon AquaCELL MBBR tank (10’ SQ x 10’ SWD, 12’ OAH… Dimensions critical)
(2) 12’ dia. 36/24 Bioclere units.
(1) 1500 gal post Bioclere lift station
(1) 6,000 gallon Moving bed anoxic tank (10’ SQ x 8’ SWD, 10’ OAH… Dimensions critical)
(1) 10,000 gallon Final Polishing & Re-Aeration Tank
Final effluent distribution system
(Schematics of the process train are attached to the email conveying this preliminary proposal.)
Aquapoint Supplied Equipment:

(2) Duplex Pump Flow Equalization Packages for Pre-EQ & Post Bioclere Lift (pumps, floats &
controls)

(1) AquaCELLTM MBBR package. Supplied equipment includes the following:
o (15) m3 AquaCell466TM HDPE bio-film carriers.
o (1) Full floor PVC80/CPVC medium bubble aeration grid with throttling butterfly gate
valve and S.S. hardware.
o (1) 8” dia. x 36” S.S. media retention screen.
o (1) 5 HP Positive displacement rotary lobe blower w/ Variable Frequency Drive control.

Dual Weir Splitter

(2) Bioclere 36-24 (12’ diameter units complete with FRP vessel, media, pumps and controls)
Aquapoint.3, LLC • 39 Tarkiln Place • New Bedford, MA 02745 • 508.985.9050 • www.aquapoint.com

(1) 6,000 gallon Moving Bed Anoxic Reactor. Supplied equipment includes the following:
o (5) m3 AquaCell466TM HDPE bio-film carriers.
o (1) 1 HP UET Mechanical Mixer
o (1) 6” dia. x 36” S.S. media retention screen.
o (1) Carbon feed pump
o VFD Controls

(1) EC- 65-1 Alkalinity feed system

Engineering design report, specifications, drawings, submittals and technical manuals

Three (3) man-days onsite technical assistance for installation and start up.
Price Estimate
Aquapoint Treatment System delivered to the site........................................................................... $ 236,420
Tanks & Equipment by Others
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







(1) 30,000 gallon primary settling tank
(1) 10,000 gallon flow equalization tank
(1) 7,500 gallon AquaCELL MBBR tank (10’ SQ x 10’ SWD, 12’ OAH… Dimensions critical)
(2) 12’ SQ x 10” thick concrete Bioclere base pad.
(1) 1500 gal post Bioclere lift station
(1) 6,000 gallon Moving bed anoxic tank (10’ SQ x 8’ SWD, 10’ OAH… Dimensions critical)
(1) 10,000 gallon Final Polishing & Re-Aeration Tank
Final effluent distribution system
Building or shed for chemical storage.
Installation
Only those items indicated above are included and will be furnished. Labor is not included. All other items
will be furnished by others including but not limited to excavation, off-loading, reactor tanks, electric service
to control panels, collection & disposal system, finish grading, mounting and wiring pre-wired components,
external piping, field erection, backfilling, water to fill tank, control building, fencing & misc.
Installations in ground water conditions require anti-floatation ballast backfill as necessary.
System components supplied by Aquapoint are to be installed by others.
Aquapoint.3, LLC • 39 Tarkiln Place • New Bedford, MA 02745 • 508.985.9050 • www.aquapoint.com
Additional Considerations & Review
This estimate reflects the design parameters as indicated above and assumes no other environmental factors
that will adversely affect treatment. Toxic products inhibit or kill bacteria necessary for treatment and must
not be discharged to the wastewater system.
This proposal represents our best efforts to be as complete and accurate as possible. However, due to
assumptions made in the interest of generating a timely estimate it is provided for budget purposes only and
cannot be used to purchase system equipment. After clarification of all necessary information including final
approved plans and permit(s), a firm equipment scope of supply and bid price will be provided for purchase
of equipment. We are available to discuss this budget proposal to collaboratively devise a system that meets
your needs.
In providing this estimate Aquapoint has relied exclusively on information provided by the addressee and on
the assumptions stated herein. The addressee acknowledges and affirms that Aquapoint assumes no liability
with respect to the addressee or any third party for the estimates.
Please provide final written confirmation of design specifications, site characteristics and treatment
requirements prior to final design.
Freight & Delivery
Pricing is delivered to the site but does not include applicable taxes. Delivery is typically within 10-12 weeks
of receipt of an order with deposit.
Equipment Warranty
Equipment supplied by Aquapoint.3, LLC is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for one
year from the date of installation or 18 months from the date of delivery. Extended warranties are available
on request.
Thank you for your consideration. Please contact me with any questions or comments.
Aquapoint.3, LLC • 39 Tarkiln Place • New Bedford, MA 02745 • 508.985.9050 • www.aquapoint.com
IntermittentStreamStandards
CommunitySystemforAmmoniaRemoval
TheCamphillGhentWastewaterTreatmentPlant– Chatham,NY
Between the Berkshire Mountains in western
Massachusetts and the Hudson River in eastern
NY lies the small town of Chatham, NY. Scattered
lakes, streams and conservation areas make this
rural community an environmentally sensitive
location. When the Camphill Elderly Care
Initiative developers decided to build a
community on the outskirts of town in 2011 the
New York Department of Environmental
Conservation (NYDEC) required that a
wastewater treatment facility be designed and
installed to comply with the state’s Intermittent
Stream
Standards.
Under
this
permit
requirement the wastewater must be treated to
reduce BOD5, TSS and Ammonia‐N to extremely
low concentrations to protect the wildlife in the
receiving stream.
The project engineer selected an AquaPoint
BioclereOH treatment system for its proven
nitrification performance capability, energy
efficiency and low life cycle costs. Effluent from
the biological process is polished through dual
pressure sand filters and parallel UV disinfection
units prior to re‐aeration and ultimately
discharge to a stream.
39Tarkiln Place
NewBedford,MA02745
T(508)985‐9050│ F(508)985‐9072
AQUAPOINT.COM
DESIGNCHARACTERISTICS
INFLUENT
EFFLUENT
8,000
8,000
DESIGNTEMP(C)
10
‐
BOD5 (mg/l)
250
<10
TSS(mg/l)
250
<10
TKN(mg/l)
65
‐
AMMONIA‐N(mg/l)
50
<2
DISSOLVEDO2 (mg/l)
‐
>7
FECAL (MPN/100ml)
‐
<200
DESIGNFLOW (GPD)
HYBRIDMBBR/TRICKLINGFILTER
SystemLayout&Performance
Camphill Ghent,Chatham,NY– CommunityWWTP
6.4
5
0.85
Apr./2012
4
5
0.27
May./2012
4
5
0.35
Jun./2012
4
5
0.23
Jul./2012
4
5
0.02
Aug./2012
4
5
0.49
Sep./2012
4
5
0.21
Oct./2012
4
5
0.19
Nov./2012
4
5
0.17
Dec./2012
4
5
0.21
4.24
5
0.30
*Average
BOD < 10
TSS < 10
NH3 < 2
SystemcommissionedJanuary2012
DetectablelimitforBOD&TSS=4&5mg/lrespectively
DatafromNewYorkDECRecords
*Doesnotincludefirsttwostartupmonths
Representedby:
39TarkilnPlace
NewBedford,MA02745
T(508)985‐9050│ F(508)985‐9072
www.aquapoint.com
Dec. / 2012
Mar./2012
Nov. / 2012
8.06
Oct. / 2012
5
Sep. / 2012
6.7
Aug. / 2012
Feb./2012
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Jul. / 2012
16.8
Jun. / 2012
5
May. / 2012
10
Apr. / 2012
Jan./2012
CamphillGhentPerformanceData
Mar. / 2012
NH3
(mg/l)
Feb. / 2012
TSS
(mg/l)
Jan. / 2012
BOD5
(mg/l)
Concentration(mg/l)
DATE
GroundWaterProtection
Multi‐PhaseCommunityRemovesNitrogen
TheCanalBluffsWastewaterTreatmentPlant– Bourne,MA
On
the banks of the Cape Cod canal lies the
town of Bourne, Massachusetts, a busy summer
retreat for many seasonal residents. Like many
Cape
Cod
communities,
Canal
Bluffs
condominiums has some full time residents and
the population spikes in the summer months.
Flow rates at the development’s BioclereTM
wastewater
treatment
system
increase
substantially in peak months and drop to as little
as 10% of design flow in the winter. In order to
balance these seasonal conditions with a multi‐
phase build out of the condominiums, the
developer elected to phase build out of the
wastewater treatment system. The first phase of
the system was designed to process the initial
9,500 gpd to <25 mg/l total nitrogen under
Massachusetts Title‐V regulations. When the
plant was expanded to 38,000 gpd it was
permitted under Massachusetts Groundwater
Discharge (GWD) pollution control regulations
requiring the system to meet a standard of < 10
mg/l total nitrogen.
The project engineer selected an AquaPoint
BioclereTM treatment system for its proven
nitrification & denitrification performance
capability, energy efficiency, low life cycle costs
and its flexible fixed film process. Effluent from
the biological process is polished through a sand
filter and UV disinfection prior to groundwater
discharge.
39Tarkiln Place
NewBedford,MA02745
T(508)985‐9050│ F(508)985‐9072
AQUAPOINT.COM
DESIGNCHARACTERISTICS
INFLUENT
EFFLUENT
38,000
38,000
DESIGNTEMP(C)
10
‐
BOD5 (mg/l)
250
<30
TSS(mg/l)
250
<10
TKN(mg/l)
65
‐
AMMONIA‐N(mg/l)
50
<2
NITRATE‐N(mg/l)
‐
<5
TOTAL‐N(mg/l)
‐
<10
TURBIDITY (NTU)
‐
<5
FECAL (MPN/100ml)
‐
<200
DESIGNFLOW (GPD)
HIGHRATETRICKLINGFILTER
SystemLayout&Performance
CanalBluffs,Bourne,MA– CommunityWWTP
2
5
2.2
Sep./2011
3.3
5
3.1
Oct./2011
2.5
5
3
Nov./2011
2.6
5
3.7
Dec./2011
2.9
5
2.9
Jan./2012
2.6
5
2.9
Feb./2012
2.5
5
2.8
Mar./2012
2
5
2.6
Apr./2012
2
5
3.2
May./2012
2
5
2.8
2.9
5
3.2
Average
10
8
BOD < 30
6
TSS < 30
4
TN < 10
2
NH3 < 2
0
Systemcommissioned2008
DetectablelimitforBOD=2 mg/l
DetectablelimitforTSS=5mg/l
Representedby:
39Tarkiln Place
NewBedford,MA02745
T(508)985‐9050│ F(508)985‐9072
www.aquapoint.com
Dec. / 2013
Aug./2011
12
Nov. / 2013
6.7
Oct. / 2013
5
Sep. / 2013
4.3
Aug. / 2013
Jul./2011
CanalBluffsPerformanceData
Jul. / 2013
2.8
Jun. / 2013
5
May. / 2013
6.4
Apr. / 2013
Jun./2011
Mar. / 2013
TN
(mg/l)
Feb. / 2013
TSS
(mg/l)
Jan. / 2013
BOD5
(mg/l)
Concentration (mg/l)
DATE
Fecal < 200
GroundWaterProtection
SchoolWWTPRemovesTotalNitrogen
TheDover&Sherborn,MAWastewaterTreatmentPlant
Twenty miles west of Boston the rural towns of
Dover and Sherborn, Massachusetts share a
regional middle and high school facility. Both
towns rely entirely on individual septic systems
for their wastewater infrastructure. When the
school decided to expand in 1999 the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection (MADEP) required that the school
district install a wastewater treatment facility to
comply with the state’s Groundwater Discharge
(GWD) pollution control regulations. Under this
guideline, any facility generating greater than
10,000 gallons per day (gpd) without access to
an existing municipal sewer system must treat
its wastewater to remove total nitrogen.
School waste streams can represent challenging
conditions for biological treatment processes.
Given school sanitary routines, the potential for
toxic shock loading and peak hydraulic loading is
high.
Furthermore,
ammonia
nitrogen
concentrations in the influent are typically 4‐5
times that of typical domestic wastewater. The
schools engineer selected an AquaPoint
BioclereOH treatment system for its proven
nitrification and denitrification performance
capability, energy efficiency and low life cycle
costs. The plant is designed for a maximum daily
flow rate of 15,260 gpd.
39Tarkiln Place
NewBedford,MA02745
T(508)985‐9050│ F(508)985‐9072
AQUAPOINT.COM
DESIGNCHARACTERISTICS
INFLUENT
EFFLUENT
15,260
15,260
DESIGNTEMP(C)
10
‐
BOD5 (mg/l)
500
<30
TSS(mg/l)
350
<30
TKN(mg/l)
160
‐
AMMONIA‐N(mg/l)
130
<3
NITRATE‐N (mg/l)
‐
<5
TOTAL‐N(mg/l)
‐
<10
DESIGNFLOW (GPD)
HYBRIDMBBR/TRICKLINGFILTER
SystemLayout&Performance
Dover&Sherborn,MA– RegionalSchoolSystemWWTP
May./2014
6
2
0.1
9.65
Jun./2014
18
5.7
2.7
4.7
Jul./2014
2
2
0.1
3.5
Aug./2014
12
5.7
0.1
6.55
Sep./2014
6
5.7
0.6
6.6
Oct./2014
20
2.8
2.3
3.05
Nov./2014
6
11
0.67
3.2
Dec./2014
3
2.5
0.1
4.05
AVG.
9.1
4.9
0.8
5.1
39Tarkiln Place
NewBedford,MA02745
T(508)985‐9050│ F(508)985‐9072
www.aquapoint.com
25
20
15
BOD < 30
10
TSS < 30
5
NH3 < 3
0
Systemcommissioned1999
DetectablelimitforBOD&TSS=2 mg/l
DatafromMADEPRecords
Dec. / 2014
4.65
Nov. / 2014
0.1
Oct. / 2014
6.5
Sep. / 2014
9
Aug. / 2014
Apr./2014
DoverSherbornSchool
PerformanceData
Jul. / 2014
TN
(mg/l)
Jun. / 2014
NH3
(mg/l)
May. / 2014
TSS
(mg/l)
Apr. / 2014
BOD5
(mg/l)
Concentration(mg/l)
DATE
TN < 10
plant profile
Reaching
Compliance
Pennsylvania treatment
plant meets Chesapeake
By Amy McIntosh
Name: Fairfield Municipal Authority Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Location: Fairfield, Pa.
Capacity: 300,000 gpd
Infrastructure: Primary screening and grit removal,
flow equalization tank, pre-anoxic MBBRs, threestage aerobic MBBRs, recycle chambers, postanoxic MBBRs, reaeration zones, secondary
clarifiers, ultraviolet disinfection, aerobic sludge
digestion chambers and chemical feed systems
The carrier media provide high specific surface
area for biofilm growth, allowing the plant to handle
increased daily flows.
16
July 2015 | Water & Wastes Digest
T
he Fairfield Municipal Authority (FMA)
provides water and sewer services
to the borough of Fairfield and two
portions of Hamiltonban Township in
southern Pennsylvania. The region
has a rich history, especially during
the Civil War, when several historic battles were
fought in the vicinity. Today, the service area is
mostly agricultural.
History of Improvements
The original FMA Wastewater Treatment Plant was
built in 1967 as a 70,000-gal-per-day (gpd) extended
aeration activated sludge plant. Following a 1977 feasibility study, the plant was expanded to accommodate population growth and provide service to a new
industrial facility. Capacity was increased to 150,000
gpd and the plant became a two-stage carbonaceous/nitrification activated sludge plant.
In 2006, a new residential development prompted
the need for additional sewage treatment for 496 new
homes in the service area. Rather than construct a
new facility, upgrades were planned to increase the
existing facility’s capacity to 300,000 gpd, as well as
add treatment processes to help the facility comply
with Chesapeake Bay standards.
Because the plant is located in the Chesapeake
Bay Watershed, its effluent must meet the strict limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP). Chesapeake Bay standards require
enhanced nutrient removal with limits on total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in effluent discharged into the bay.
Plans were set in motion in 2003 to complete
an upgrade to meet Chesapeake Bay standards,
which include less than 20 mg/L biochemical oxygen
demand (BOD); less than 20 mg/L total suspended
solids (TSS); less than 8 mg/L TN; less than 1.5 mg/L
ammonia; less than 1 mg/L TP; and discharging
less than 7,306 lb of TN and 974 lb of TP annually. In
2005, lack of a funding source halted the project and
caused it to remain inactive for a number of years.
In the fall of 2010, FMA secured funding and
began pursuing the upgrade for enhanced nutrient
removal at the facility. Civil engineering firm C.S.
Davidson Inc. was chosen to provide design and engineering services for the new facility, and construction
firm TAH won the bid to construct it. The new system
became operational in October 2012.
Bay standards
Today, the plant contains a dual-train concrete
containment Aquapoint AquaCELL moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) with pre- and post-anoxic
zones to ensure nitrification and denitrification of
the influent waste. The infrastructure consists of
primary screening and grit removal, flow equalization tank, pre-anoxic MBBRs, three-stage aerobic
MBBRs, recycle chambers, post-anoxic MBBRs, reaeration zones, secondary clarifiers, ultraviolet disinfection, aerobic sludge digestion chambers and
chemical feed systems.
The process incorporates AquaCELL 466 biofilm carrier media, which moves freely within an
aerated wastewater treatment process. As the
carrier elements migrate throughout the water
column, wastewater passes through the protected
internal cells allowing contact between organic
and inorganic waste and the fixed biofilm, which
provides treatment.
The plant now is able to meet the effluent standards set by DEP, reporting an average of 6 mg/L
BOD, 6.7 mg/L TSS, 0.4 mg/L ammonia, 6.1 mg/L
TN and 1.2 mg/L TP.
Managing Expectations
“As is typical of many treatment plants, we constantly deal with inflow and infiltration issues,” said
Mark Keller, treatment plant operator for FMA. ”This
upgrade has definitely made it easier to adjust to
high flows.”
The plant periodically experiences high-flow precipitation events with flows exceeding 600,000
gpd. The system’s fixed-film process and 250,000
gal of equalization capacity help alleviate this added
stress on the system while maintaining compliance.
Although the population of the service area
is not expected to grow significantly in the near
future, the plant is prepared to handle increased
daily flows through the addition of the carrier
media that provides high specific surface area for
biofilm growth.
“The system has been performing extremely
well since the upgrade. We have been able to meet
our total phosphorus and total nitrogen requirements with little chemical addition,” Keller said.
“The process is very operator friendly and the support from Aquapoint has been great.”
Amy McIntosh is associate editor for W&WD. McIntosh can
be reached at amcintosh@sgcmail.com or 847.954.7966.