Treatment Process

The Wastewater Treatment Plant consists of biological processes that remove and reduce the pollutants. The facility can handle peak flows up to 10 million gallons a day with a design average of 3.25 million gallons a day.

We monitor all aspects of the plant's operations to ensure the proper processing of wastewater. We have automated sampling equipment taking samples of the water multiple times a day, analyze them in our lab, and make tweaks to the process to keep things running smoothly. We have made many upgrades to the facility since it was first built in 1987 to keep up with advancing technology and water quality standards.

The wastewater flows through several processing steps:

Large Debris RemovalPreliminary

Rocks, grit, and larger debris are removed.

Secondary

At this step, the flow enters into an oxidation ditch where microorganisms break down the pollutants. The water then flows into round clarifiers where the solids settle to the bottom, and oils and grease float to the top. Then, solids and oils are removed.

Collage of three images depicting secondary treatment process

Tertiary

Here, smaller dissolved and suspended particles are separated and removed from the water using a cloth-like membrane.

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Water Disinfection StationDisinfection

Then, the water is disinfected before it is released into White Lick Creek.

Post-Aeration & Discharge

The flow falls down a series of steps which naturally aerates the water before discharging to White Lick Creek.

Water Being AeratedLick Creek Outlet

Solids

Meanwhile, aerobic digesters are used to process all removed solids, oils, and suspended particles. Processed solids are dewatered and spread on fields to return nutrients back to the soil.

Collage of three images depicting solids at the wastewater treatment plant