Wastewater lagoons are often used in small communities and industries, offering simplicity and cost-effectiveness. However, as effluent permits become more stringent, upgrading these systems is essential to meet compliance while maintaining budgetary constraints. Here are some top upgrades that deliver the most performance increase for the money invested:
Enhanced Aeration & Mixing Systems
Upgrading aeration and mixing systems can significantly improve the lagoon's ability to break down organic matter and reduce ammonia levels. Options like fine bubble diffusers or surface aerators are cost-effective and energy efficient. Adding mixers and curtains can prevent issues with short circuiting and ensure influent has full contact with biomass. Enhanced aeration not only boosts treatment capacity but also reduces odors, making it a win-win for operators and nearby residents.
Submerged Attached Growth Reactors (SAGR)
SAGRs are innovative systems providing a growth matrix for biofilms, allowing for a higher biomass concentration than seen in suspended growth lagoons. The SAGR upgrades are often used to enhance nitrification and denitrification processes. SAGRs are particularly effective in colder climates, where traditional lagoons struggle to maintain biological activity.
Polishing Reactors
Adding a polishing reactor to the lagoon system can help achieve higher effluent quality by targeting specific pollutants like phosphorus and nitrogen. Unlike building an entirely new system, the polishing reactor works with the existing lagoon to target new treatment goals. Often polishing reactors are fixed film or MBBR systems which require much less operator time and maintenance than conventional activated sludge units.
Removing Sludge & Reducing Sludge Volumes
As lagoons age, sludge buildup eventually significantly reduces lagoon working volume and can increase problems with short circuiting. Sludge removal can be done with dredging which removes organic and inorganic (non-volatile) solids. If the lagoon has significant volatile solids accumulation, you can reduce the volumes by using a combination of mixers which suspend the solids with high volume, gentle mixing and through the use of various bioaugmentation products designed specifically for organic sludge reduction.
Adding Tertiary Treatment
Often phosphorus is bound in solids at the lagoon effluent. Adding a tertiary treatment step often including polymer addition has proven effective in removing TSS and phosphorus. The more complex tertiary systems do require more operational and maintenance hours by workers.
Upgrading wastewater lagoons to meet new effluent permit targets doesn't have to involve significant capital expense. By focusing on simple improvements like enhanced aeration, SAGRs, dredging, and polishing reactors, operators can achieve significant performance gains while staying within budget and not adding to operational complexity. These upgrades not only ensure compliance but also contribute to sustainable and efficient wastewater management.
Enhanced Aeration & Mixing Systems
Upgrading aeration and mixing systems can significantly improve the lagoon's ability to break down organic matter and reduce ammonia levels. Options like fine bubble diffusers or surface aerators are cost-effective and energy efficient. Adding mixers and curtains can prevent issues with short circuiting and ensure influent has full contact with biomass. Enhanced aeration not only boosts treatment capacity but also reduces odors, making it a win-win for operators and nearby residents.
Submerged Attached Growth Reactors (SAGR)
SAGRs are innovative systems providing a growth matrix for biofilms, allowing for a higher biomass concentration than seen in suspended growth lagoons. The SAGR upgrades are often used to enhance nitrification and denitrification processes. SAGRs are particularly effective in colder climates, where traditional lagoons struggle to maintain biological activity.
Polishing Reactors
Adding a polishing reactor to the lagoon system can help achieve higher effluent quality by targeting specific pollutants like phosphorus and nitrogen. Unlike building an entirely new system, the polishing reactor works with the existing lagoon to target new treatment goals. Often polishing reactors are fixed film or MBBR systems which require much less operator time and maintenance than conventional activated sludge units.
Removing Sludge & Reducing Sludge Volumes
As lagoons age, sludge buildup eventually significantly reduces lagoon working volume and can increase problems with short circuiting. Sludge removal can be done with dredging which removes organic and inorganic (non-volatile) solids. If the lagoon has significant volatile solids accumulation, you can reduce the volumes by using a combination of mixers which suspend the solids with high volume, gentle mixing and through the use of various bioaugmentation products designed specifically for organic sludge reduction.
Adding Tertiary Treatment
Often phosphorus is bound in solids at the lagoon effluent. Adding a tertiary treatment step often including polymer addition has proven effective in removing TSS and phosphorus. The more complex tertiary systems do require more operational and maintenance hours by workers.
Upgrading wastewater lagoons to meet new effluent permit targets doesn't have to involve significant capital expense. By focusing on simple improvements like enhanced aeration, SAGRs, dredging, and polishing reactors, operators can achieve significant performance gains while staying within budget and not adding to operational complexity. These upgrades not only ensure compliance but also contribute to sustainable and efficient wastewater management.
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