Tag: treatment

FACILITY BASIC INFORMATION Plant Name: Western Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant Location: Upper Marlboro, Prince George’s County, Maryland Operating Authority: WSSC Water (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) Design Capacity: 30.0 MGD Current Average Flow: ~20-24 MGD Population Served: ~275,000 residents Service Area: Central Prince George’s County (Upper Marlboro, Bowie, Largo) Receiving Water Body: Western Branch of the […]

1. INTRODUCTION The trickling filter is one of the oldest and most established biological treatment processes in municipal and industrial wastewater applications. Classified as an attached-growth (or fixed-film) process, a trickling filter operates by passing wastewater over a stationary medium—historically rock or slag, but increasingly structured plastic modules—where a biofilm establishes itself. This biomass metabolizes […]

Introduction For municipal and industrial treatment plant engineers, solids handling frequently represents the most volatile component of operational expenditure (OPEX). While the liquid train often receives the bulk of design attention, the “tail of the plant”—sludge thickening, dewatering, and disposal—accounts for approximately 40% to 50% of total treatment costs. When evaluating the Top 10 Sludge […]

Introduction For municipal and industrial wastewater engineers, the decision to implement Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) or Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) technologies usually stems from a singular, pressing constraint: the need to increase biological treatment capacity within a fixed, often land-locked footprint. While the concept of biofilm carriers is well-established, the “commodity” perception of […]

Location: St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, FloridaOperating Authority: City of St. Petersburg Water Resources DepartmentDesign Capacity: 20.0 MGD (AADF)Primary Function: Wastewater Treatment, Water Reclamation, Regional Biosolids Handling 1. Introduction The Southwest Water Reclamation Facility (SWWRF) serves as the cornerstone of the City of St. Petersburg’s wastewater infrastructure and is a pivotal component of one of the […]

FACILITY BASIC INFORMATION Plant Name: Arlington East Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Location: 1201 Island Drive, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida Operating Authority: JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority) Design Capacity: 25.0 MGD (Annual Average Daily Flow) Current Average Flow: ~16.5 MGD Population Served: Approx. 200,000+ residents Service Area: Eastern Jacksonville (Arlington, Regency, Fort Caroline) Receiving Water Body: St. […]

1. Introduction to Packaged Treatment Plants in Municipal and Industrial Applications Packaged Treatment Plants (PTPs) represent a critical segment of the wastewater infrastructure market, serving as the backbone for decentralized wastewater management. Unlike large-scale, custom-designed civil works facilities that treat tens or hundreds of millions of gallons per day (MGD), packaged plants are pre-engineered, prefabricated, […]

Introduction to Tertiary Filtration Selection For municipal and industrial engineers, the tertiary filtration stage is frequently the final safeguard between regulatory compliance and permit violations. As National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits tighten—particularly regarding total phosphorus (TP) limits of < 0.1 mg/L and strict turbidity requirements for Title 22 water reuse—the margin for error […]

Introduction One of the most persistent challenges in municipal and industrial water engineering is not the pipe itself, but the integrity of the connections, adaptations, and restraints. Industry statistics suggest that over 60% of pipeline failures occur at joints or fittings rather than along the pipe barrel. For consulting engineers and plant directors, overlooking the […]

1. Introduction In the hydraulic architecture of municipal and industrial wastewater systems, continuity of service is the paramount directive. While permanent infrastructure—lift stations, treatment plants, and gravity mains—forms the backbone of these systems, the ability to bypass these components during failure, maintenance, or rehabilitation is a critical engineering requirement. Emergency bypass and temporary pumping systems […]