Title
Annual Update on the Wastewater System
Body
Overview
The DPU wastewater operations comprises two different divisions of operations:
1) Wastewater collections (WWC [GWS])
2) Wastewater treatment & reclamation (WWT)
The GWS-WWC crew allocates two to four crew members to perform scheduled O&M work, such as mainline flushing and lift station maintenance. The GWS/WP electricians (2) also perform support work on the lift stations, as they require considerable electrical work. There are twenty-six lift stations in the WWC system with varying electrical service sizes, depending on the power of the pumps. There are currently three 480V lift stations, and twenty-three 240V or 277V lift stations.
The GWS crew operates various equipment to maintain the WWC system:
• Inspection tools - SL-RAT sonic wave detector and the video cameras (mainline & service line)
• Flushing tools - vactor trucks/equipment, flushing trailer equipment, easement machine flushing equipment
• Root cutters (mainline and service)
The WWT operations division oversees the operation and maintenance of the two treatment plants in Los Alamos County - LA WWTP and the new WR WRRF. The LA WWTP processes (treats) approximately 0.8 M gallons per day and produces approximately 300 lbs. of solids per day, while the WR WRRF processes approximately 0.3 M gallons per day and produces approximately 150 lbs. of solids per day.
The two plants use somewhat different treatment methods: The LA WWTP is an activated sludge/aeration basin system, while the new WR WRRF utilizes an innovative space-saving oxidation ditch technology. The old WR plant utilized trickling filter (rock media) technology that was common in the 1960s but could not meet current EPA standards for nutrient removal.
Both plants will soon produce class-1A effluent, which is the best quality treatment possible. The WWT d...
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