Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Waster Systems in Maryland. A growing challenge for the industry and regulators

Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Waster Systems in Maryland A growing challenge for the industry and regulators

Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Waster Systems in Maryland New law and regulations New field of opportunities and challenges for Regulators New opportunities for Installers and O&M Providers

The BRF program has been expanded to further reduce onsite nitrogen discharges from systems from migrating into the Bay Implementation Policies will vary by county

Regardless of funding source, many more BAT systems will be required Hundreds of new onsite treatment systems are being installed each year With mandatory 5 year Operation & Maintenance NOW is the time to implement a solid O&M program Training for licensing or certification of: Operation & Maintenance Providers Installers Ongoing Training Programs for: Designers Regulators

Community systems face similar challenges The primary difference between individual and shared onsite systems is size Shared facilities are also facing higher demands in reducing nutrients to the Bay This means growing demands for operator training to insure compliance with new treatment and discharge technologies

Licensing/Certification Program Currently, systems over 5,000 gpd require licensed operators for operation, maintenance and testing A similar requirement for onsite systems would preserve the benefits of individual onsite systems, and insure that nitrogen reducing onsite treatment and pumped disposal systems are doing their job

Concepts and Examples Small residential and commercial onsite advanced wastewater treatment systems

Typical Recirculating Denitrification Treatment System First step: The Processing Chamber, functions similar to a septic tank to remove solids and clarify the raw sewage Nitrification occurs in the second chamber. Second Step: The ammonia (NH4+) in the effluent from the processing tank is pumped to the advanced treatment unit and converted to nitrate (NO3-) in the aerobic treatment area. Third Step: The aerobically treated effluent is recirculated back to the processing tank for Denitrification to nitrogen gas (N2).

Recirculation System Illustration Processing Chamber feeds effluent to aerobic process Aerobically treated effluent is recirculated into the anaerobic tank NH + 4 NO - 3 N 2 Textile filters are typical units that use processing tanks

Requires Competent Operator The recirculation ratio is critical. If the rate is too high the tank becomes aerobic and denitrification does not occur. If it is to low, BOD and TSS reduction are inadequate. There must be a balance. This is a component of Operation and Maintenance - not merely deciding when to pump the tank.

More Examples

Suspended Growth Aerobic microbes free swimming in the aeration chamber Mixing in the chamber mixes the microbes and the wastewater contaminants Extended aeration to limit biomass wasting

Submerged Attached Growth/Fixed Media is submerged in the aeration chamber Microbes are attached to the media Effluent is circulated through the media thus passing contaminants by the microbes Extended aeration to limit biomass wasting Film Media

Rotating Biological Contactor Fixed film media Media is a disk Motor slowly rotates disks through the effluent Aeration is achieved by passing the media through the air space in the chamber

Venting/Air supply Air supply method: Aspirator Aerator Compressor Blower Free Air

Attached growth- media evaluation a. Plugging b. Floating c. Media washed Air Water d. Media replaced

A Training and Licensing/Certification Program will help insure that the practitioners (you and me) are qualified for the job

MOWPA providing a forum The (M)aryland (O)nsite (W)astewater (P)rofessionals (A)ssociation Providing a forum for regulators, designers, installers, suppliers, service providers to address policies and practices of our profession

CONCEPT Develop a process for Onsite Wastewater Professional Practitioners to be licensed/certified under oversight of the Water/Wastewater Operators Board The Board could be expanded to include wastewater professionals to assist with administration of certificates/licenses Structure similar to Well Drillers

Concept: License/Certification Classes Class 1 Entry level class (similar to existing requirements for installers) Class 2 Appropriate training requirement to install advanced treatment and disposal systems (i.e.sand mounds, low pressure dosing and drip irrigation systems) Class 3 Additional, more advanced training, for Operation and Maintenance service providers

A Respected and Well Developed Training Program Is Essential

CIDWT Training Program The Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment made up of representative of 5 universities and a host of wastewater treatment practitioners, including service providers undertook a 5 year project to develop a state of the art training program

Positive reception in Maryland Several MDE personel as well as Maryland private sector practioners have taken the course. Some have qualified as trainers The course materials and Operational Checklists provides a comprehensive resource for providing a thorough operation and maintenance service on virtually any treatment and disposal system

THIS IS A CONCEPT AT THIS TIME (HOWEVER) With new legislation and proposed regulations under way The timing is excellent to recognize and put in place a solid program to insure that onsite systems are truly performing and providing the expected environmental protection.

DISCUSSION