Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
As the world’s population grows, many wastewater treatment plants need to be either built or upgraded/expanded. Conventional wastewater treatment plants are designed to handle wastewater as it was produced many years ago. However, today’s wastewater is more complex with larger flows. It also contains a wider range of contaminants. It has become increasingly important to upgrade an existing wastewater treatment plant. So that it can handle wastewater effectively and efficiently. However, upgrading a wastewater treatment plant is not an easy task. It requires careful study and planning, with the involvement of multiple stakeholders from the utility company, engineering, and equipment suppliers.
Upgrade Process Steps
Once the following upgrade factors have been considered, the wastewater treatment plant upgrade process can begin.
Planning and Preparation
The planning and preparation phase should never be overlooked. At this stage, contractors and engineers should evaluate the current design of the plant, analyze flow rates and pretreatment needs, develop a retrofit plan, and coordinate with various stakeholders. With proper planning, upgrades can be completed in a timely and organized manner, while meeting goals within a set budget.
Obtaining Permits and Regulatory Approvals
Make sure your wastewater treatment plant upgrade plan meets regulatory and safety guidelines before proceeding.
Wastewater Treatment Technologies
What technologies should you use for upgrades? From leveraging automated systems to wastewater reuse and advanced treatment systems like MBBR-IFAS, engineers must choose technologies that will further improve the entire process and provide the best outcome for the facility and the community.
Important Article About MBBR Technology and How It Is Used in Wastewater Treatment
Hiring the Right Team
The success of your plant upgrade depends largely on the talent and experience of your engineers, contractors, and other professionals. They have the skills, talents, and tools to take your plan from concept to execution.
Installation and Commissioning
From properly testing newly installed equipment to collecting data to ensure the entire plant is operating properly from day one, wastewater treatment plants require proper installation and commissioning. Having a talented team on site during the installation and commissioning stages of the wastewater plant is crucial to ensure that the entire process runs smoothly and meets regulatory standards.
Why should you upgrade your wastewater treatment plant?
Your wastewater treatment plant requirements must meet or exceed government regulations and community needs.
Article 1 of the Treated Wastewater and Reuse System states:
“The system aims to achieve acceptable levels for the disposal of various types of wastewater into the public sewerage network, in addition to achieving safe levels for the reuse of treated wastewater in the areas of agricultural irrigation, irrigation of public parks and recreational areas, and recharging groundwater in the future and for cooling and industrial purposes and any other uses, in order to ensure an adequate degree of health protection from the harmful effects resulting from pollution and the transmission of diseases by controlling the quality of treated wastewater, regulating the monitoring of wastewater treatment plants, in addition to ensuring the maximum utilization of treated water as one of the non-traditional sources of water in accordance with the standard criteria set forth in this system and its executive regulations.” You can view the rest of the provisions of The Treated Wastewater and Reuse System.
Limitations of Conventional Wastewater Treatment Plants
If your wastewater treatment plant is outdated, it may not be able to handle the increased load and may even contribute to environmental pollution. Therefore, wastewater treatment plant upgrades can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of wastewater management and help protect our environment.
Benefits of Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
Improved wastewater treatment plants can provide better wastewater management for residents and the planet. Here are four benefits of wastewater treatment plant upgrades:
Increased wastewater disposal capacity
With the increasing number of urban cities, wastewater treatment plants must be able to accommodate the increased flow. Upgrading wastewater treatment plants can help increase wastewater disposal capacity and make wastewater management more efficient.
Reduced Environmental Impact
Upgraded wastewater treatment plants can reduce environmental impact by improving treatment processes to make them more sustainable, reducing leakage from pipes, and creating reclamation (water reuse) projects.
Advanced Technology
By implementing advanced treatment technologies and automated processes, wastewater treatment plants can quickly reap the benefits of improved electricity consumption, reduced manual labor, and overall efficiency.
Comparison of Conventional and Upgraded Wastewater Treatment Plants
Conventional wastewater treatment plants may have been adequate for wastewater management in the past… but with changing incoming water streams, increased flows, and more stringent effluent requirements, conventional plants may not be able to handle the treatment demands of modern society.
However, upgrading plants is designed to handle these processes efficiently and effectively, while being more cost-effective in the long run.
Factors to Consider When Upgrading Your Facility
When upgrading wastewater treatment plants, There are some important factors to consider. These include:
Types of Upgrades Available
There are different upgrade packages available, such as space-saving options, improved grit removal systems, improved graywater reuse systems, and automation of the wastewater treatment process. It is important to select the right type of upgrade package for your plant to maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Technical Requirements
It is also important to consider the technical requirements of upgrades, such as flow rate, pretreatment needs, disposal requirements, and equipment availability. Additionally, technical upgrades often require a significant capital investment to be successful, so affordability is an important consideration.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Contractors and wastewater treatment plant designers should also conduct a cost-benefit analysis of upgrades to determine if the benefits outweigh the costs. The goal is to meet the plant’s key performance indicators at the lowest possible cost.
Benefits of a Successful Upgrade
Upgrading a wastewater treatment plant is an investment of time and money. Fortunately, there are several benefits that come with a successful upgrade.
Reduce Capital Costs
Wastewater treatment plant upgrades can reduce operating and capital costs. This is done by streamlining treatment processes and installing new, more efficient equipment. For example, by implementing generative design into the design and planning process. Wastewater treatment plant engineers and project developers can quickly create preliminary engineering designs to optimize physical take-offs, excavation costs, and civil structure designs.
For example, using a generator to optimize a wastewater treatment plant project’s footprint, equipment, and materials can save 80% on wastewater treatment plant costs and construction time.
Improve Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of wastewater on the environment cannot be overstated. By upgrading wastewater treatment plants, engineers and contractors can reduce pollution, improve wastewater quality, and reduce the discharge of raw sewage.
One strategy that can be implemented during a wastewater treatment plant upgrade is to create an ecosystem model for greywater reuse. Here, wastewater is filtered, treated, and then reused for non-potable applications such as irrigation, toilet flushing, car washing, etc.
Learn more about The importance of greywater treatment systems
Long-term maintenance benefits
Upgraded wastewater treatment plants require less maintenance and repairs over the long term. Upgrading also increases treatment capacity and efficiency, while reducing operating costs.
Read more about The role of experts in maintaining desalination plants
Conclusion
Upgrading wastewater treatment plants can be a daunting and intimidating endeavor. But with the right team in place, you have the potential to reduce costs, improve quality, and create a long-term plan for wastewater management.
