City of Newark Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Newark

City of Newark Wastewater Treatment Plant—Annual Report 2014

C i t y o f N e w a r k

Wa s t e w a t e r Tre a t m e n t

P l a n t

A n n u a l R e p o r t 2 0 1 4

Mission: To enhance the quality of life in Newark by providing essential

services to the community and protecting the water environment.

City of Newark Wastewater

Treatment Plant

1003 East Main Street

Newark, Ohio 43055

Phone: 740-349-6768

Fax: 740-349-6771


2

Introduction

The Newark Wastewater Treatment Plant represents the City’s ongoing commitment to serve the community’s

needs while protecting the environment.

The City of Newark’s original plant was built in 1948, and was later modified to better serve the wastewater treat-

ment needs of residential, commercial and industrial users. In 1984, faced with more

stringent treatment requirements, and a July 1, 1988 Clean Water Act deadline imposed by the U.S. EPA, the City

began planning its modifications and improvements with the goal of designing a cost effective treatment system.

Not only did the City meet the July 1, 1988 deadline, but also the project has improved the water quality in the

Licking River, enhancing both the aquatic habitat and the river’s recreational potential.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant has continued work to improve the plant with several major capital

projects over the years. In 1997 a UV Disinfection System was installed to replace a very

hazardous chlorine gas and sulfur dioxide disinfection system. This system uses UV light to disinfect the treat-

ment plant effluent, thus eliminating the need to add tons of chemicals to the water during the summer season.

Two major capital improvement projects completed in 1999 & 2000 included construction of a new Influent

Screen Building and a new Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System. The Screen Building

Project included fine screening along with equipment to process screenings for final disposal. The SCADA Sys-

tem provides real time data and operational information that gives Plant Operators the ability to operate the plant

with more accuracy and efficiency. In 2004 we had our sludge dewatering presses reconditioned after 17 years of

daily use. This reconditioning project restored our belt presses to like new condition. With improved materials

technology, they should last for many years to come.

The Electrical Switchgear and Substation/Septic Receiving Projects were completed in 2007. The new septic re-

ceiving unit consists of an automatic screening unit, with a screenings compactor located inside a new building.

An operator control panel is located on the outside of the building for the haulers to initiate the off-loading cycle.

A new automated truck scale was installed, that uses a swipe card system for the haulers to weigh in and out with-

out interaction from the plant employees. Also, the septic receiving unit operates without employee interaction. A

report of all waste hauled here by each hauler is automatically generated for the billing office to enter into the bill-

ing software. The new Electrical Building houses the new switchgear and the old plant generator.

In 2006 we completed the Licking River Interceptor Project. The new 54” Interceptor and two new

siphons at the confluence of the North Fork Licking River and South Fork Licking River, combined with the exist-

ing 42” sewer line, conveys more flow to the plant during rain events therefore causing fewer overflows of our

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO’s). This is in accordance with the EPA’s goal of reducing or eliminating

CSO’s. We have been in the planning and construction stages of separating, reducing or eliminating all of our

CSO’s, and building a $25 million high rate treatment (HRT) system on the west side of the wastewater treatment

plant. Construction of the HRT system was substantially completed in 2012, and this facility began operating in

early 2011. We received a $5 million grant in ARRA stimulus money for the HRT project.

We have installed a system that cleans waste gas from the digesters, producing high quality natural gas that is sold

to the local gas utility. This unit cost $496,000, and we received a $203,500 grant from the United States Depart-

ment of Energy, and $143,719 from Community Development Block Grants towards this project. We started sell-

ing gas in early 2011.

In 2013-2014 we upgraded our aeration blowers and diffusers for increased efficiency, providing substantial ener-

gy savings, along with the ability to provide full treatment while on standby generator power.

The next major project will involve upgrading/replacing 27 year old anaerobic digestion process equipment, in-

cluding heating, mixing, and gas storage.


3

The diagram below illustrates the wet stream and solids handling processes of the treatment plant:

The following diagram represents an actual plant overview:


4

To

tal

Flo

w

Av

e.

Flo

w

S

S

C

BO

D

Raw

F

inal

F/M

M

CR

T

M

G

MG

D

Raw

S

ett

F

inal

% R

em

. R

aw

S

ett

F

inal

% R

em

N

H3

N

H3

R

ati

o

Da

ys

Jan

. 252.17

8.13

105

45

2.54

97.59

106

49

3.5

96.71

8.3

1.2

0.08

44.7

Fe

b.

237.09

8.47

102

49

8.39

91.76

122

54

5.0

95.90

11.2

5.6

0.04

50.5

Mar.

244.11

7.87

146

48

4.12

97.18

119

52

3.8

96.82

10

4.0

0.04

42.0

Ap

r.

310.94

10.36

134

55

7.88

94.10

114

43

5.0

95.58

7.36

1.2

0.06

42.6

May

351.17

11.33

90

32

1.93

97.85

61

24

2.3

96.24

5.33

0.1

0.03

44.6

Ju

n.

297.72

9.92

113

38

1.58

98.60

83

28

2.3

97.27

7.24

0.2

0.03

34.9

Ju

l.

271.91

8.77

140

34

1.58

98.87

103

26

2.1

97.99

7.23

0.1

0.02

38.0

Au

g.

251.34

8.11

139

44

2.53

98.18

77

23

1.8

97.60

9.04

0.1

0.02

29.9

Sep

. 194.96

6.50

161

53

2.68

98.33

103

35

2.0

98.07

9.19

0.1

0.02

46.8

Oct.

206.48

6.66

131

76

3.08

97.65

137

52

2.5

98.20

12.5

0.2

0.04

29.4

No

v.

193.88

6.46

140

61

7.36

94.76

112

45

3.4

97.00

10.2

0.5

0.04

38.3

Dec.

222.56

7.18

121

47

9.7

91.98

123

51

4.2

96.63

9.57

0.7

0.04

40.6

To

tal

3034.33

Av

e.

252.86

8.3

126.7

48.5

4.4

96.4

104.9

40.3

3.1

97.0

8.9

1.16

0.04

40.2


5

0

100

200

300

400

500

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

mg

/L

Month

CBOD Loading Current Load

Design

88.00

90.00

92.00

94.00

96.00

98.00

100.00

Ja

n.

Fe

b.

Ma

r.

Ap

r.

Ma

y

Ju

n.

Ju

l.

Au

g.

Se

p.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Pe

rc

en

t

Month

Percent SS and CBOD Removal

SS Removal

CBOD Removal

0.00

2000.00

4000.00

6000.00

8000.00

10000.00

12000.00

Jan

.

Feb

.

Mar.

Apr.

May

Jun

.

Jul.

Aug

.

Sep

.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Po

un

ds

Pe

r D

ay

Month

Pounds of CBOD Loading


6

Human Resources: To have a highly competent, motivated work staff that is adequately

trained and informed to run the plant in an efficient and proper manner.

Position Name Years of Service

Operator Stan Vinning 40.3

Industrial Waste Inspector Randy McDaniel 26.7

Operator Jon Moulton 25.0

Chemist Nancy Taylor 24.7

Operation’s Technician Phil Tudor 23.9

Plant Superintendent Darin Wise 23.3

Instrumentation Technician Jeff Krauskopf

22.4

Asst. Plant Superintendent Bryan Curry 21.5

Operator Clint White 13.4

Maintenance Supervisor Jay Fisher 12.3

Laboratory Technician Angela Reischman 10.0

Electro-Mech. Technician Mike Troyer 4.2

Maintenance Mechanic/Operator Fred Nance 4.0

Operation’s Technician Dave Morris 3.5

Operator Scott Knighton 2.2

Maintenance Mechanic/Operator Fred Nance 4.0

Operator Josh Lutz 2.0

Secretary 1 Sherry Koklich Temp

2014 Training Facts:

Over 300 hours of training, including in-house, on-

line and off-site training.

Training Courses included: Web based training courses

OWEA meetings/workshops/training

Maintenance/Electrical Training

Safety Meetings

Webinars Elementary Class Tours


7

Operations: To operate the wastewater plant as efficiently as possible with the high-

est degree of treatment that our facility is capable of performing.

Winter Morning

Extreme Cold Skimmer Damage

As shown by the data listed on page 4, the treatment operation achieved full compliance

for removal of CBOD, ammonia, and suspended solids, while treating over 3.03 billion

gallons of wastewater during 2014. This accomplishment reflects the dedication and ef-

forts of all the employees at the wastewater treatment plant.

The plant successfully accepted over 2.4 million gallons of leachate from Suburban

landfill, and almost one million gallons of wash water from Owens Corning. These

waste streams were processed through a dedicated off-line aeration basin in order to pre

-treat the high strength waste before entering the activated sludge process of our treat-

ment system. Our Aeration System Modifications Project has yielded a substantial elec-

trical savings of $14,000/month after installing

all new highly efficient diffusers, and a new

highly efficient blower.

The successful operation of the wastewater treat-

ment plant (WWTP) would not be possible with-

out the pride of the employees and continually

striving to improve processes. The many costs

involved with the projects that have been accom-

plished or are in the planning stages continue to

make operations a challenge. The management and staff at the WWTP strive to provide

the best service possible while surpassing EPA standards for effluent quality.

Frozen Stalagmites in WAS Tanks


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Projects Completed in 2014

Sealed and Striped Administration parking lot

Painted final clarifier #3

Replaced #2 aeration blower with another Siemens Compressor

Set up a new treatment process tank for Owens Corning washwater, and land-

fill leachate—both trucked in

Completed Aeration System Modifications Project

Painted 1/2 of plant security fencing

Upgraded most of our desktop com-

puters

Installed new ceiling in conference

room, along with a new ceiling mount-

ed projector

2015 Project List

Rehabilitate concrete deck on Grit Structure

Complete solids handling study, and begin project of equipment upgrades/

replacement.

Paint #2 Final Clarifier

Continue to upgrade outdoor lighting with LED

fixtures

Continue asphalt and concrete repairs.

Continue painting plant equipment

Begin working on Phase II of our Long Term

Control Plan Replacing Final Splitter Box Influent Gate

Final Clarifier Painting


9

Maintenance: To keep all plant equipment functioning safely, properly and efficient-

ly.

Major Projects Completed in 2014

Replaced one influent gate for #2 Final Clarifier.

Continued replacing T-12 lamps and ballasts to T-8’s.

Drained and inspected all process tanks.

Repaired #3 and #2 Final Clarifier collector arms

Several pump rebuilds.

Installed piping system for receiving trucked waste

into #1 Aeration Basin.

Inspection of Primary Clarifier

Upgrade check valves on several pumps to Tide-

flex type.

Continue retro-fitting fluorescent fixtures

throughout plant with T-8 ballasts and bulbs.

Continue concrete repair and caulking around

plant site.

Continue replacing steel handrails with aluminum.

Replace three more influent gates on final clari-

fiers.

Rehabilitate/Replace deck on Grit Structure

Rebuild scum skimmers on grit bridges.

2015 Project List

NPW Auto-Strainer Inspection

Repairing High Mast Lights Repairs on #3 Final Clarifier


10

Safety: To provide a safe working environment for all employees

Safety Statistics 2014 27,856.25 hours worked.

0 accidents.

Performed 40 Confined Space

Entries.

Continued Monthly Plant

Safety Audits that are

performed by all employees.

Plant Safety Committee

meets quarterly

Completed 105.25 man-hours

of safety training

Time, Money and Effort spent on

our safety program has proved

very beneficial to our staff and

operation. We take pride in doing

the job right as well as safe.

Considering the hazards

encountered in the field of

Wastewater Treatment Plant Op-

eration and our record of no lost

time accidents in 2014, we

definitely believe “It Pays to be

Safe.”

Safety Meetings & Training in 2014

Conducted 12 plant safety meetings providing

8 OEPA contact hours.

Meeting Topics

Ebola in the Workplace

Ladder Safety

Eye Safety

Fire Safety

Severe Weather

Confined Space Entry

60.25 man—hours of EPA approved training

covering new technologies, regulatory and new

equipment

Employees participated in 2 game show style

trainings “Family Safety Feud” & “$10,000

Safety Pyramid”

Continued monthly fire extinguisher inspection

on a rotational basis by all employees.

Monthly Newark Area Safety Council Meetings

attended by department personnel.


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Environmental Laboratory and Industrial Pretreatment To provide accurate and timely data for plant operational control, industrial pretreatment monitoring and

regulatory reporting.

To insure industrial facilities discharging to the Newark WWTP comply with local, state and federal regulations

designed to protect both the integrity of the wastewater treatment process and the biological integrity of the

surface waters receiving the WWTP outfall

Highlights of 2014

Over 24,000 analyses were performed in 2014, with a QA/QC analysis rate higher than the

10% required by Ohio EPA

Routine weekly testing of the abandoned Watson Rd. landfill continued. This Landfill is owned

by the City of Newark, and managed by the Stormwater and Engineering Departments.

Continued testing our significant industrial users for Total Dissolved Solids. This testing could

provide valuable insight of industrial TDS sources should EPA require the WWTP to meet

a TDS limit in future NPDES permits.

Feb 2014; stopped using AAnalyst 300 Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.

Contracted with Alloway Labs for metals analysis.

Benchscale Jar Testing with Aluminum Chlorohydrate (ACH) in HRT samples to optimize

settling and solids removal

Benchscale Jar Testing with ACH and polymer in Suburban Landfill samples to floc and remove

humic acids and other UV interfering compounds.

Added ammonia testing on segregated aeration basin containing Owens Corning high

concentration ammonia waste

Increased nitrate testing of final effluent/contact basin to prove efficiency of IMLR changes

in aeration process.

Replaced analytical balance in operator’s lab.

Nitrate +Nitrite testing has expanded to include Raw, Settled, Final, aeration basins and

two of our industrial samples. This additional testing is required to determine the source

of high nitrate loading entering the WWTP. The elevated nitrate has caused sludge

bulking (floatation) in the primary and final clarifiers as the nitrate is ultimately converted

to nitrogen gas that bubbles to the surface. This bubbling disturbs the solids in the

clarifier, causing solids to float, creating turbidity in the water layer. These suspended

solids will block the UV disinfection process during the summer months, resulting in E. coli

violations in the May – October time period. Researching this problem is crucial to prevent

violations of our NPDES in the near future.


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Highlights of 2014 (con’t)

The alkalinity and volatile acids testing of the digesters was increased from three times

per week to daily for the month of December and into January 2015. Digester #2 was

experiencing a persistent “upset”, and operational changes were required to correct the

problem. Close tracking of alkalinity and volatile acids through daily laboratory analysis

helped to aid in the decision making process.

Began a study with MPW to determine source of high suspended solids. The Environmental Lab

increased the collection and testing frequency of the MPW sample from weekly to daily

for better tracking. Parameters tested daily include pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS),

Total Solids, and Total Dissolved Solids. Samples with high TSS results are reported to

MPW as soon as possible so the industry can match the time period of the sample to the

specific trailers (customers) they have processed at their facility. Once specific customers

are identified, the increased cost of TSS treatment can be passed along from MPW to the

customer.

The Aquamate spectrophotometer was replaced with a Hach DR3900. This new spec has

RFID technology built in to work seamlessly with Hach’s Test ’N Tube technology.

Currently a few of the Test ’N Tube methods have been approved by EPA. As more TNT

methods are approved, we may look into feasibility of switching TKN and Total Phosphorus to

the Hach TNT Method. The current TKN and Total Phosphorus methods are labor-intensive,

and savings could be seen by switching to TNT. The City was able to save $4000 on the cost

of this spec as compared to the cost of replacing the UV/VIS Aquamate. UV readings are no

longer needed in the Environmental Lab, so the DR 3900 (VIS only) was all that was needed.

The Orion SA 720 pH meter was replaced with a new Fisher VersaStar meter. The

VersaStar offers increased functionality, and can act as a backup to three of the

Environmental Lab’s existing meters. Additional modules included with the VersaStar Kit

are; selective ion (re: Ammonia), Dissolved Oxygen and Conductivity.

The Water Department’s Public Education and Outreach opportunities continued in 2014

for Licking County Area children. Topics taught include; the impact of polluted storm

water on receiving waters, how water reclamation works at the WWTP, simple

chemical analysis of water, and using macroinvertebrates to as indicator organisms to

monitor the “health” of a body of surface water.

Public Ed programs offered include: Boy Scout Environmental Science Merit Badge, a creeking

station at Cub Scout Day Camp, Cub Scout “Creeking and Cake”, The Legend Elementary Clean

Water Series (water chemistry, WWTP Tour, and creeking), and WWTP tours with middle

school groups and college students. For the third year in a row, the Water Department

partnered with Licking County Recycling and Licking County Soil and Water Conservation

District to provide a one-day “Environmental Careers” event for gifted students in Licking

County.


13

2014 Public Education Events

3rd Graders

test the pH of water using

color indicators

Exploring surface water for

macroinvertebrates

7th graders exploring Environmental

Careers and learning about the impact of

polluted stormwater runoff


14

Industrial Inspector Randy McDaniel

cleaning a collection container from one of

our 24-hour composite samplers

Laboratory Technician Angie Reischman analyzing industrial samples for total

suspended solids

Operations Technician Dave Morris filing biosolids data

Chemist Nancy Taylor poses with a crayfish

hanging from her hat. Over 400 Cub Scouts

learned about the impact of polluted surface

water while looking for macro invertebrates

at the Creeking Station during Cub Scout Day

Camp in June 2014

2015 Project List

Continue inventory control program Continue employee training Dispose of hazardous waste generated from lab operation Expand Public Education Programming to target adult audiences.

DMR-QA Study 34

In 2014, the Newark Environmental Laboratory participated in USEPA’s DMR-QA Study 34.

This mandatory laboratory proficiency study uses a single blind approach by sending unknown

samples to individual labs for testing. After analysis, the labs submit the results for

grading. The Newark Environmental Lab is required to test for 19 parameters annually as

part of the mandatory DMR-QA study.

94.7% (18 out of 19) of the tested parameters were passed on the first attempt

Bryan Curry and Dave Morris optimize coagu-

lation dosages for the High Rate Treatment

process


15

Our High Rate Treatment facility began operating in 2011, before construction was completed

in 2012. This process treats wet weather flows that have been re-routed here after several

planned collection system improvements. During heavy rains, when the collection system gets

above its capacity to convey flow to the wastewater treatment plant, the system was previously

designed to relieve itself by overflowing into the river. The EPA has given us requirements to

reduce these overflows, and we are achieving this by treating these flows in a high-rate treat-

ment system. This process consists of influent pumping, screening, grit removal, coagulation

and flocculation, disinfection, and discharging up to 28 million gallons per day of treated water

into the Licking River.

Through the collective efforts of everyone in our department, we strive to make this addition

to our facility a successful operation.

High-rate treatment unit

High Rate Treat-

ment Tanks

Wet Weather Screen

Building

(2 Parkson Aqua Guard

Screens, 6 mm) Hydrocyclones

2 Wet Weather Grit

Tanks (Eutek Tray

Settlers)

Screenings

Dumpster

6,000 gal Coagu-

lant Storage Tank

UV Disinfection

Electrical

Room

2 Ton Bulk Sand

Feeder and Eductor

System

2 Polymer Feed Units

Per Train


16

Final Comments From the Superintendent:

In an effort to keep sewer rates low for the City of Newark, we have

a continuous goal of increasing our efficiency. Our automation keeps increasing,

which has allowed us to reduce our operations staff by five (5) people through at-

trition. Also, a few positions were abolished and replaced by new job descriptions

that were created to better suit the needs of the plant today. We have made

several changes to our operation to reduce electrical and natural gas usage, poly-

mer usage, and we have reduced the quantity of solids produced that are ever

more costly to dispose of. We have continued to expand our trucked waste vol-

umes received, increasing our revenue substantially. We’re also selling our excess

digester gas instead of flaring it off. With several new requirements placed upon

us by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, many major projects have been

completed that required rate increases to fund them, but our goal has been to

minimize the needed increases as much as possible. The employees here take

much pride in our facility, and it is apparent to those who visit. The Wastewater

Treatment Plant is one of the largest investments that the City of Newark owns.

We strive to make these facilities and equipment endure, by performing continual

preventive maintenance. Why do we put so much time and energy into treating used water? Isn’t

water just about everywhere? Three quarters of the earth’s surface is covered

by water, but of that, only 3% is usable freshwater. To make matters worse 77%

of the freshwater is frozen in polar ice caps and glaciers. Another 22% is

groundwater. It is amazing to think that of all the water in the world only a small

fraction is available for us to use. We cannot treat water as if we have an unlim-

ited source. Water is definitely a finite, precious resource in need of protection.

The City of Newark, through proper operation of its wastewater treatment

plant, makes a small, but important contribution to preserving the nation’s water

supply. Preventing the discharge of pollutants into the waterways of this area

preserves the water for others and allows people to continue their way of life.

We can never take this unique and precious resource for granted. We must con-

tinue to be protective of our vital water resources. The employees of the City of

Newark Wastewater Treatment Plant can be proud of the work they have accom-

plished in 2014 and look forward to meeting challenges of preserving our water

resources in 2015.

-Darin Wise, Plant Supt.

Documents

City of Newark Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Newark