Transcript No Slide Title

A day in the life of your waste
water...
It All
Starts
Here...
…collects in sewer pipes...
…and arrives at your local waste
water treatment facility.
Removes
40-50% of
the solids
Chunks of debris, sticks, sand, etc… get
caught on the bar screens as the sewage
enters the plant.
Next, it goes into the grit chamber
sand, grit and heavy solids settle to the
bottom
Primary Sedimentation Tank
Smaller particles settle;
scrapers collect the solid matter plus scum or grease
floating on top of the tank
85-90% of
pollutants
are removed
The 1st step is AERATION...
Microorganisms and oxygen
are mixed with the wastewater.
Air speeds the growth of the
bacteria which eat the waste
matter.
Followed by...
SECONDARY
SEDIMENTAITON
Solids clump
together
(activated
sludge) and
settle out for
reuse in the
aeration tanks.
Added as a
disinfectant
before the
wastewater
leaves the
plant to kill
disease-causing
organisms
We’re not done yet!
• What do you do
with all of the ...
• You know…
• The ”S” Word
• NO!
• SLUDGE!
Digesters
• The purpose of sludge
treatment is to destroy the
pathogens
• Huge tanks in which the sludge
is stored to allow it to continue
to decompose (15-30 days)
• Aerobic digestion (treatment)
consists of continuously
pumping compressed air into a
tank
• Anaerobic bacteria present in
the waste convert much of the
waste materials to carbon
dioxide and methane (natural)
Burn it in
specially
designed plants
to prevent air
pollution
A source of
methane for
powering small
power plants
Bury it in
approved
landfills
What if you are not
connected to a sewer line?
…then
you have
a SEPTIC
SYSTEM
Leeching Fields
Leeching Fields
Leeching Fields
The Dos and Don’ts of Septic Maintenance
Do:
• Inspect your tank for signs of sludge buildup.
• Pump your tank every 2-3 years.
• Keep a grease can handy.
• Protect your system from vehicles and
encroaching trees and shrubs.
• Install water saving devices to conserve water.
• Use non-toxic cleaning products such as baking
soda to scrub toilets, or boiling water to help
clear clogged drains.
The Dos and Don’ts of Septic Maintenance
Don't:
•use a garbage disposal - it adds 50 % more
solids to your system.
•pour automotive oil, cooking oil, grease or paint
or paint thinner down the drain.
•drive vehicles over the septic system/fields.
•plant bushes or trees over the leach field.
•use too much water, especially during rainy, wet
seasons when the ground is saturated.
•use drain cleaners and other toxic chemical
products.
•use chemical or biological septic system cleaners
which can plug up leach fields and ruin your
system.