Diving In Deep: Do 30-Foot Aeration Tanks Make Sense For You?

In the past, many engineers designing wastewater treatment systems have strived to keep aeration tanks around 20’ deep or less. This has been seen as a potential long-term cost-saving measure, especially when using concrete construction. Such depths place less pressure on aeration systems, allowing them to operate with less energy. The reduced pressure also means that blowers and pumps don’t have to work as hard, which was seen as a way to ensure equipment would stay in working order longer and with less downtime for maintenance.

However, the wastewater industry is seeing a shift. Both municipal and commercial wastewater treatment facilities are running into space limitations as they attempt to expand to meet growing capacity needs. In addition, greenfield installations are looking to save money on overall construction costs while maximizing both space and treatment capacity. These circumstances make it a good time to revisit the value of deeper aeration tanks, particularly those around 30’ in depth.