As wastewater treatment plants evolve into resource recovery facilities, the thermal hydrolysis process (THP) is destined to play a starring role, with some major THP projects having already set the stage.
Regulators from across the country met in Vermont this week at the Environmental Council of the State’s (ECOS) fall meeting to discuss some of the nation’s most pressing environmental challenges. I joined members of ECOS’ Shale Gas Caucus to discuss an emerging threat imminently impacting oil and gas-producing states: the question of what to do with the massive amount of wastewater produced by the oil and gas industry each year.
Many communities face challenges when managing their water resources. For example, runoff from agricultural fields can contribute to excess nutrients in water, like phosphorous and nitrogen, which can lead to harmful algal blooms and health concerns for the surrounding community. State and local governments trying to solve environmental problems must consider the cost and effectiveness of water management decisions for their communities.
Be it municipal or industrial, clients are always choosy and sensitive about the type of technologies they select for wastewater processing facilities. When it comes to physical, chemical, or biological treatments, plant operators and supervisors look for the best available, most cost-effective, and most user-friendly alternative. As such, technology selection is an art of choosing, arranging, and weaving different components of the treatment plant to provide it a unique identity. It’s the basic building block that bestows a facility its heart and soul.
The National Municipal Stormwater Alliance recently released the 2018 State of Stormwater Report on municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permits under the NPDES permitting program — the first-ever in a series that will publish annually. The Alliance also explained the somewhat distressing reason why the report is necessary: Stormwater is being largely ignored.
Sorting through practical, legal, and environmental considerations related to Michigan House Bills 5752 and 5753 — proposed oversight for onsite wastewater treatment systems
Rainfall replenishes water supplies and keeps our urban landscapes looking green, but even small storms can cause localized flooding and inundate sewer systems. It’s a problem that the City of Buffalo, New York, knows all too well. Buffalo has a combined sewer system that is designed to collect both wastewater and stormwater in a single pipe and send this combined flow to a treatment plant. As in many cities, stormwater reduces the capacity of the sewer system, and this often causes what’s called a combined sewer overflow (CSO).
EPA scientists are leading a multi-phase project to evaluate the ability of non-targeted analysis laboratory methods to consistently and correctly identify unknown chemicals in samples. EPA’s Non-Targeted Analysis Collaborative Trial (ENTACT) was formed in late 2015 and includes nearly 30 academic, government, and industry groups. Non-targeted analysis involves analyzing water, soil and other types of samples to identify unknown chemicals that may be present, without having a preconceived idea of what chemicals may be in the samples.
Microfiltration and ultrafiltration have become mainstays in the water treatment arena. These processes remove contaminants from water by passing it through a low-pressure membrane. Membrane filters are constructed with a variety of materials with various pore sizes. The challenge is determining which best suits the application with regard to performance, cost, and ease of operation.
Water has never been more in demand, and innovative approaches to improving water security have never been more imperative. As our global population grows exponentially, cities and towns expand to accommodate new inhabitants, providing the resources and services they need. Rapid agricultural and industrial development continues apace.
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