Evoqua Selected To Expand Treatment Capacity And Address Nutrient Removal Requirements In Prattville, Alabama

Evoqua Water Technologies, an industry leader in mission-critical water treatment solutions, has announced that it has been selected by the City of Prattville, Alabama to upgrade its wastewater treatment system. By installing Evoqua’s technology, the city will address biological nutrient removal and accommodate future population growth.

Nutrient removal is an important process in meeting high quality effluent requirements. Excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphorous disrupt the natural environment and can affect the health of water systems. Furthermore, Prattville’s wastewater system was projected to reach its capacity as the population of the surrounding area grew.

Evoqua’s VertiCel System was incorporated into Prattville’s wastewater treatment system,which included tanks with fine bubble diffusers, to achieve additional capacity and meet nutrient removal requirements. The VertiCel system uses Evoqua’s VLR Vertical Loop Reactors operated in series that allow dissolved oxidation stratification at the front of the process combined with fine bubble tanks at the end of the process to maximize energy efficiency and process flexibility. The VLR reactor tankage is similar to oxidation ditch technology; however, the tanks are flipped on their side with an upper and lower compartment separated by a horizontal baffle.

Prattville’s existing treatment plant consisted of three parallel single reactor aeration basins with a capacity of three million gallons per day (MGD) along with three circular clarifiers. The city selected Evoqua’s VertiCel Biological Treatment System to expand capacity to 5.7 MGD, while providing the ability to achieve nitrogen and phosphorus removal limits. The VertiCel system was the optimal choice for this upgrade because it allowed the municipality to reuse the existing parallel aeration basins and add fine bubble diffusers.

The design of this treatment system upgrade allowed for the construction of the VLR system first, while the city’s existing aeration tanks were rehabilitated to expand overall treatment capacity. In addition, the three circular clarifiers for this treatment system were rehabilitated to Evoqua’s Tow-Bro Circular Clarifier design with one Tow-Bro clarifier constructed. These clarifiers were constructed using corrosion resistant materials to extend life. The overall treatment process will use Evoqua’s SmartBNR control system to enhance operational reliability and reduce energy costs.

Engineers of the South worked closely with Evoqua to provide the engineering and design with Brasfield & Gorrie as the general contractors. The project came to Evoqua through its partner Jim House & Associates. Commissioning of the plant is took place on August 1 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house.

Evoqua's oxidation ditch technology has been proven to deliver results in over 800 installations. Visit evoqua.com/vlr to learn more.

About Evoqua
Evoqua Water Technologies is a leading provider of mission-critical water and wastewater treatment solutions, offering a broad portfolio of products, services and expertise to support industrial, municipal and recreational customers who value water. Evoqua has worked to protect water, the environment and its employees for more than 100 years, earning a reputation for quality, safety and reliability around the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company operates in more than 160 locations across nine countries. Serving more than 200,000 installations worldwide, our employees are united by a common purpose: Transforming Water. Enriching Life.