Texas A & M University

Brayton Fire Field/Disaster city

Wastewater Treatment Plant

Prepared for:

Dr. Heather Wilkinson

Texas A & M University

BESC 411-500

Fall 2014

Prepared by:

Michelle Barton

Table of Contents

Page No.

1.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………….. 1

2.0 Features of the site……………………………………………………………… 1-2

2.1 Location.

2.2 Primary operations and processes

2.3 Chemicals used at the facility

3.0 Relevant state and federal regulations associated with the site……………… 2

3.1 Permit type(s)

3.2 Required monitoring

3.3 Reporting schedule

4.0 General Comparison to a municipal or industrial version of this entity……. 3

4.1 Population served

4.2 Production/Function volume

4.3 How these distinctions affect the threshold for regulation of this entity

5.0 References Cited……………………………………………………………….. 3

6.0 Appendix of photographs.…………………………………………………….. 4-8

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1.0 Introduction

On October 9th, 2014 a team of 13 environmental health and safety (EHS) professionals in

training, and Dr. Heather Wilkinson, Professor at Texas A & M University visited the

Brayton Fire School/Disaster City Wastewater Treatment Plant. Bill Latham,

Environmental Coordinator for Texas A & M Engineering Extension Service, and Jeff

Truss, Environmental Safety Manager at Texas A & M University conducted the

informational tour of the facility and answered all questions raised by the team. This report

details the site visit with emphasis on the EHS Compliance features.

2.0 Features of the Site

2.1 The Industrial Wastewater Treatment Plant (IWWTP) is located at 1595 Nuclear

Science Road, College Station, TX 77843. The facility is situated on 297 acres of

land in the West corridor of the City of College Station. White’s Creek, which is a

tributary to the Brazos River, runs along the eastern side of the facility and serves as

the effluent discharge accepter (Figure 1).

2.2 The IWWTP serves as the conventional activated sludge treatment facility for the

Brayton Fire School, which is the largest live-fueled firefighting Training facility in

the World1. The IWWTP recycles 80% of the water used during the training

sessions for reuse at the training facility4. A system of drains and ditches collects all

water used at the facility and connects to the IWWTP. (Figure 2)

The initial treatment step utilizes a Rotary Drum Screen (Figure 3-Left) for the

removal of any large substances that flow into the facility and a Grit Removal

System (Figure 3-Right) to remove any heavy or non-biodegradables that flow into

the facility.4 These non-biodegradables are then sent to a landfill for proper

disposal.4

The wastewater is then pumped into 1 of 2 equalizing tanks (Figure 4) where jet

mixers are used to agitate the water, ensuring complete chemical equalization

before treatment is conducted.4

Wastewater flows out of the equalizing tanks by gravity into the flocculation basins

(Figure 5) where aluminum of ferric sulfate are sometimes added to encourage

flocculation of larger remaining solids.4 Polymers are added to increase coalescence

of oils.

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2.2 Continued

Wastewater flows into 1 of 2 Dissolved Oxygen Chambers (DAF) units (Figure 6)

where air is added to create bubbles which rise through the wastewater and create a

float layer of oils and surfactants.1 The solids are collected from the DAF chambers

are held in sludge holding tanks before they are sent for proper disposal4.

The treated water is gravity fed into 1 of 2 Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBR’s)

where the water is aerated and biological solids are added. (Figure 7)

The treated water is skimmed off the top in the SBR and pumped into the first 2.5

million gallon holding pond.4 (Figure 8) The water level in the pond is maintained

by means of a float system, water is automatically pumped in as the water level in

the pond drops.

The treated water is finally moved into the second pond (Figure 9) where is will be

recycled into the watering system used during firefighting training4. When levels

arise beyond this tanks holding capacity water may be discharged into White’s

Creek from this point.4

2.3 The fires at the training facility are fueled by propane gas and extinguishing agents

are used to put these live-fueled props out1. Aluminum or Ferric Sulfate are used as

flocculation agents during the wastewater treatment process.4

3.0 Relevant State and Federal Regulations

3.1 The facility holds a Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permit

which permits a maximum of 2 million gallons effluent discharge per day into

White’s Creek.4 The facility has an allowance from Texas Commission on

Environmental Quality (TCEG) to divert rainwater in the event of a major rain

event. 2 A first flush on the collection system is completed before the collected

rainwater is discharged from the facility directly into White’s Creek without passing

through the treatment facility.4 The facility maintains an Air Permit but is

considered a training facility and is regulated as such.

3.2 To maintain compliance under the TPDES permit the effluent outflow must be

metered on a daily basis. 2 The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Petroleum,

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Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Biological Oxygen

Demand (BOD), Dissolved Oxygen (OD), Aluminum, Copper and pH must be self-

monitored weekly via grab samples 2

3.3 The facility is self-monitored and required to report monthly to TCEQ. Any

noncompliance must be reported within 24 hours to TCEQ. 2

4.0 General Comparison to a municipal or industrial version of this entity

4.1 The amount of water treated varies on a daily basis and is dependent on number and

type of training activities occurring at the facility. 2

4.2 The facility is permitted for 2 million gallons per day effluent flow and daily

maximum flow not to exceed 2.4 million gallons per day.2 In comparison, the City

of College Station operates two WWTP’s, Carter Creek and Lick Creek. Together

they have a total wastewater treatment capacity of 11,500,000 gallons/day.3

4.3 The facility is comparable in size and service capacity to a small industrial facility.

The use of the facility as a training facility (SIC Code 8249) with the continued use

of live-fueled props and recycling of water within the system does qualify the

facility to maintain the less stringent regulations.4

5.0 References

1. http://www.teex.org/teex.cfm?pageid=ESTIprog&area=esti&templateid=1944

2. https://www.tceq.texas.gov/

3. http://www.cstx.gov/index.aspx?page=818

4. Verbal information shared by Bill Latham during tour

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Fig. 1 Aerial photograph of the Brayton Fire School IWWTP 1595 Nuclear Science Road

College Station, TX 77843. The WWTP (labeled) releases effluent into White’s Creek (labeled)

which is a tributary to the Brazos River.

Fig. 2 System of drains and ditches run throughout the school and facilitate the movement

of water into the IWWTP for treatment

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Fig. 3 Initial entry point into the IWWTP. This is 1 of 2 collection tanks where large

debris will be removed before treatment begins (on left). The grit removal system (on

right) connected to a hopper (solids moved into hopper for proper disposal into a landfill)

Fig. 4 The 2 equalizing tanks where wastewater is agitated to ensure chemical

equalization

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Fig.5 Flocculation basin where metallic salts are added to encourage flocculation of

larger remaining solids, and polymers added to encourage coalescence of oils

Fig. 6 1 of 2 DAF chambers where oils and surfactants are forced to create a float layer by

pushing bubbles through the wastewater

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Fig. 7 The SBR (1 of 2) where biological solids are added and water is aerated to

facilitate biodegradation of solids

Fig. 8 Holding pond ( flotation pumps in center that maintain water levels) where water is

stored after leaving the SBR. This tank can hold 2.5 million gallons of treated water.

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Fig. 9 Final 2.5 million gallon holding tank. Water will either reenter the firefighting water

system or be discharged from here into nearby White’s Creek.