Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008 - (Page 12)

WASTEWATER ActiveCell450TM-the mobile bio-film media (carriers ) in a wastewater treatment plant reactor. Photo courtesy of Hydroxyl Systems, Inc. home to send it to the treatment plant through a small pipe. I A STEP (septic tank effluent pump) system at each home that pumps the liquid waste to the treatment plant where the solid matter is settled out in a sludge tank and is eventually pumped out. The biological process, called an attached-growth treatment system, consists of a tank that is filled with HPDE plastic media that has a large surface area. Naturally occurring bacteria attach to the media and feed on the waste in the water. A compressor blows air through a grid in the base of the tank, sending bubbles up through the tank, mixing and aerating the media. Aeration alone would treat the waste to some degree. With the large surface area for biological growth, the process is enhanced by a factor of four, according to Millard. “For the bacteria, their food is in the wastewater. If you feed them, keep them warm and give them plenty of air, the bacteria will eat up the organic and inor- Side elevation of a trickling filter. Graphic courtesy of AquaPoint. The only Tank you will ever need STEP RAINWATER PUMP ganic material in the waste water. You have fairly clean water coming out of the biological treatment plant,” Millard said. A small amount of sludge is produced but is dropped out of suspension after aeration and only clean wastewater leaves the treatment plant. By adding a physical barrier filter and UV sterilization the effluent can be converted to reuse quality. “That’s a system that Mother Nature set up. All we’re doing with these biological designs is enhancing Mother Nature,” he said, pointing out that the ancient Romans incorporated the concept when they observed that wastewater could be cleaned by sending it over a rock bed. The rocks were the media for the bacteria which were energized by the aerated water to consume the waste. Centralized vs. Decentralized According to Millard, the EPA favors large, centralized systems in urban areas CISTERN SEPTIC HOLDING Call 1-866-943-7256 or visit www.roth-usa.com for more information Circle 117 • or www.SLDTonline.com/webcard Wastewater treatment plant for an 80 acre commercial site. (Photo courtesy of AquaPoint) 12 May 2008 Sustainable Land Development Today http://www.roth-usa.com http://www.roth-usa.com http://www.SLDTonline.com/webcard

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008

Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008 Contents Our Voice Editorial Board SLDT Resources Addressing a Crisis with Wastewater Recycling Visionary Award Finalists The Jonquil City - How a City Revitalized its Downtown Industry Spotlight: Enviroquip Solar Power System Design and Installation Stormwater: The Return of the Cistern Site Amenity: Fiber Optics Surveying and Mapping Wastewater: Low-Pressure System Special Feature: The Urban Canopy as Infrastructure Industry News Advertiser Index Products/Services Showcase Classifieds The Last Word: Nature Bats Last…

Sustainable Land Development Today - May 2008

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