Tag: wastewater treatment

FACILITY BASIC INFORMATION Official Name: Steven M. Clouse Water Recycling Center (Formerly Dos Rios Water Recycling Center) Location: 3495 Valley Road, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas 78221 Operating Authority: San Antonio Water System (SAWS) Design Capacity: 125 MGD (Average Daily Flow) Current Average Flow: ~75–85 MGD Population Served: Approx. 1.2 million (Greater San Antonio Metro) […]

Introduction In the design and operation of activated sludge wastewater treatment plants, the aeration system represents the single largest consumer of energy, typically accounting for 50% to 70% of a facility’s total electrical demand. For consulting engineers and utility directors, selecting the correct aeration infrastructure is not merely a purchasing decision; it is a twenty-year […]

Introduction One of the most persistent headaches for municipal engineers and utility directors is the management of wet weather flows. While dry weather treatment is predictable and steady, storm events introduce hydraulic shocks that can overwhelm infrastructure, leading to regulatory violations and environmental damage. The challenge is not merely capacity; it is the complexity of […]

Introduction Aeration systems consume approximately 50% to 70% of the total energy usage in a typical biological wastewater treatment plant. For consulting engineers and plant directors, the selection of aeration equipment is not merely a component choice; it is the single largest determinant of the facility’s 20-year lifecycle cost profile. A common friction point in […]

Introduction In the realm of fluid dynamics and mechanical processing, the mixing unit is often the heartbeat of a treatment train. For decades, engineers have faced a binary choice when specifying heavy-duty agitation equipment for critical municipal and industrial infrastructure. A comparative analysis of SPX Lightnin vs Philadelphia Mixing for Mixers: Pros/Cons & Best-Fit Applications […]

1. Introduction In the modern landscape of municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment, the electric valve actuator serves as the critical interface between the control room (SCADA) and the physical process. While the valve body itself—whether a gate, butterfly, plug, or ball valve—dictates the hydraulic characteristics of the system, the electric actuator determines the […]

Introduction Wisconsin’s wastewater infrastructure is defined by a unique combination of high-density urban treatment needs and significant industrial loading from the state’s robust food and paper processing sectors. The state operates under the regulatory oversight of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), which enforces some of the strictest phosphorus discharge limits in the United […]

Introduction: The State of Washington’s Wastewater Infrastructure Washington State operates one of the most environmentally scrutinized wastewater sectors in the United States, largely driven by the delicate ecosystem of the Puget Sound and the Columbia River basin. The state manages approximately 300 public wastewater treatment plants, serving a population of nearly 8 million. The infrastructure […]

Introduction One of the most persistent and costly inefficiencies in water and wastewater treatment plants is poor chemical dispersion. Inadequate mixing leads to chemical overuse, formation of disinfection byproducts, and unstable process control. When designing rapid mix, flash mix, or blending systems, engineers are often faced with a fundamental choice between two distinct technological philosophies: […]

Introduction Virginia’s wastewater infrastructure represents some of the most advanced treatment technology in the United States, driven largely by the stringent nutrient reduction mandates of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. With a growing population of over 8.7 million and a geography ranging from the tidal coastal plains to the mountainous Blue Ridge, the state’s engineering […]