Introduction One of the most persistent challenges facing municipal engineers today is the accurate monitoring of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) and stormwater systems under regulatory consent decrees. The engineering challenge is multifaceted: equipment must survive in harsh, rag-prone environments, operate reliably during rapid hydraulic changes, and provide data accurate enough to satisfy environmental agencies. A […]
Plant Name: City of Bend Water Reclamation FacilityLocation: Bend, Deschutes County, OregonOperating Authority: City of Bend Utilities DepartmentDesign Capacity: 12.5 MGD (Max Month Flow)Current Average Flow: ~6.5 – 7.5 MGD (Seasonal Variance)Population Served: ~107,000 residentsService Area: City of Bend Urban Growth Boundary (UGB)Receiving Water Body: Groundwater (Deschutes Aquifer) via Evaporation/PercolationPermit Type: Oregon DEQ WPCF Permit […]
Introduction In wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) design, the clarifier is the hydraulic control center of the process, but its efficiency is entirely dependent on the accuracy of the feedback loops controlling it. A common challenge engineers face is the disconnect between mechanical clarification systems and the instrumentation required to optimize them. While mechanical failure is […]
FACILITY BASIC INFORMATION Plant Name: Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant (CBWTP) Location: 5001 N Columbia Blvd, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon Operating Authority: City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) Design Capacity (Dry Weather): ~100 MGD Peak Wet Weather Capacity: 450 MGD Current Average Flow: ~70 MGD Population Served: ~665,000 residents Service Area: City of […]
INTRODUCTION In municipal and industrial water treatment, the “set it and forget it” mentality regarding chemical feed systems is a primary driver of operational inefficiency and compliance violations. While metering pumps and storage tanks are the muscles of the system, the instrumentation—specifically flow meters and level transmitters—acts as the nervous system. A surprising industry statistic […]
1. INTRODUCTION In the hierarchy of unit processes within municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities, solids conveyance systems often receive less design scrutiny than liquid stream biological processes. However, the mechanical transport of dewatered biosolids, screenings, and grit represents one of the most mechanically intensive and maintenance-critical operations in a treatment plant. The failure of […]
Introduction In municipal and industrial water treatment, the reliability of process analytics—pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity—often hinges not on the sensor electronics, but on the mechanical interface with the process stream. A surprising 25% of premature sensor failures in wastewater applications are attributed to improper mounting, poor flow dynamics at the insertion point, or […]
FACILITY BASIC INFORMATION Plant Name: Boat Harbor Treatment PlantLocation: Newport News, VirginiaOperating Authority: Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD)Design Capacity: 25.0 MGDCurrent Average Flow: ~16.0 MGDPopulation Served: Approx. 135,000 (part of regional system)Service Area: City of Newport News and City of HamptonReceiving Water Body: James River (Lower)NPDES Permit Number: VA0081256Year Commissioned: 1948 (Major expansion in 1994) […]
The authoritative technical resource for the Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s flagship facility in Norfolk, Virginia. FACILITY BASIC INFORMATION Plant Name: Virginia Initiative Plant (VIP) Location: Norfolk, Virginia (4201 Powhatan Avenue) Operating Authority: Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) Design Capacity: 40.0 MGD (Hydraulic) Peak Hydraulic Capacity: 80.0 MGD Population Served: Approx. 200,000+ (Norfolk, sections of Virginia […]
1. Introduction In the context of municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment, aeration blowers represent the single most critical active component in the biological treatment process. They serve as the “lungs” of the plant, delivering the necessary oxygen to microorganisms within activated sludge basins, membrane bioreactors (MBR), and aerobic digesters. From an energy standpoint, […]