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The Environmental Corner This month: |
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As part of our partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities (CMU), we assist in public awareness campaigns and treatment process optimization to help CMU foster environmentally sound practices in the home. Some projects undertaken and successfully completed are listed below.
Mallard Creek Water Reclamation Facility Reclaimed Water Quality Evaluation
Mallard Creek Water Reclamation Facility Final Clarifier and Aeration Basin Evaluation
Industrial Pretreatment Evaluation
McAlpine Sewer System Load Study
Mallard Creek Water Reclamation Facility Reclaimed Water Quality Evaluation Effluent samples from a temporary holding tank “Reuse Wetwell” and a downstream sampling station “Force Main” were analyzed in order to profile changes in contaminant concentrations. In a total of 16 samples collected over 8 weeks, testing was completed for ammonia, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, turbidity, and fecal coliform. Research demonstrated that average values of all parameters at each of the sampling locations were within the applicable NPDES reuse permit limits for the plant.
Mallar
Mallard Creek Water Reclamation Facility
Final Clarifier and Aeration Basin Evaluation In June 2005, a team of UNC-Charlotte students and Mallard Creek Water Reclamation Facility (MCWRF) staff investigated possible sources of bulking and foaming at the treatment plant. The project included twice daily sampling and testing for alkalinity, pH, ammonia, nitrate, total suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, and conductivity at 15-23 locations throughout the two active treatment trains, and microscopic analyses on activated sludge foam samples from the aeration basins at the MCWRF.
The study evaluated two major changes in plant operation for their effectiveness at reducing aeration basin foaming: a) oxygen blower optimization and b) centrate flow distribution for 22 hours. Oxygen profiles improved, but were limited by capacity and design. Centrate flow equalization yielded a leveling off in ammonia, while alkalinity and nutrient remained at the same levels.
Average dissolved oxygen levels along Train 1 aeration basins.
Industrial Pretreatment Evaluation Industrial wastewater samples were evaluated in the UNC Charlotte environmental laboratory to determine the impact of the plant effluent on settling in the MCWRF aeration basins. Laboratory testing was completed on pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, chemical oxygen demand, conductivity, and turbidity.
Grease Free projects have helped students and restaurant workers to develop public awareness on proper disposal techniques. Because fats become solids at room temperature they can build up over time and clog sewer system piping when poured down the sink. Proper disposal would be to allow cooling into a solid and disposal in a solid waste container. This education is important to aid in preventing sanitary sewer overflows caused by grease blockages.
McAlpine Sewer System Load Study
Data from the McAlpine basin of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Sewer system was evaluated to determine if there were any non-permitted discharges. Twenty-one parameters, including carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and total suspended solids were included in the testing data. In three different sampling events (May 2004, January 2005 and June 2005), a mass balance analysis was used where data was evaluated based on maximum flows occurring between the time period of 2100 and 0700. Comparisons showed that system was determined to be in compliance with all permitted discharges, and no suspect industrial discharges were found. The final report incorporated a GIS data set that permitted concentrations of various parameters to be mapped location through the system. Return to Top
The Mercury Awareness Program assists CMU in public outreach campaigns aim to prevent mercury contamination in our water. Dental Offices were surveyed and educated on mercury disposal methods.
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