Conference Agenda

Bacteria in biological nutrient removal (BNR) activated sludge treatment reactors uptake and metabolize wastewater nutrients to achieve effluent desired by operators and engineers. Induced metabolisms – i.e., the metabolic pathways by which the bacteria “digest” nutrients – are the backbone of biological wastewater treatment. However, little data is available to study and understand these metabolic pathways directly. Moreover, differences in metabolic activity at a molecular level between differing BNR systems and configurations are, at best, poorly understood.

Metabolomics is the scientific study of biochemical processes involving metabolites, which are the small molecule substrates, intermediates, and products of bacterial metabolism. Metabolomics is an emerging scientific field that holds promise to help fill the knowledge gap in BNR processes with an easy sampling and analytical process that can be used to study a broad range of intracellular compounds. Research at the University of Idaho is focused on applying metabolomic methods to better characterize and describe BNR processes, with the ultimate aim to generate new knowledge on process operation and control. This presentation will describe metabolomics and its potential application in research and activated sludge troubleshooting. Original research will be shared on developing a “metabolic fingerprint” for different full-scale, pilot, and bench-scale BNR configurations; employing metabolomics to troubleshoot EBPR failure; and a metabolomic investigation into the upset of a BNR culture associated with addition of elevated concentrations of emerging contaminants.

The City of Pasco has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the State of Washington and the nation for several years and keeping ahead of this growth has taxed the City’s water and wastewater utility infrastructure and associated fund balances. The City is actively planning for future improvements at their wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) which have included, fast-track short-term capacity modifications, a comprehensive 20-year facility plan, the acquisition of State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan project funds, design of the first two phases of high priority improvements, and construction of the Phase 1 liquids-focused WWTP upgrade that will roughly double the capacity of the plant to just under 10 million gallons per day.

This presentation will focus on the planning, design, construction, and start-up of the WWTP’s $22 million Phase 1 improvements which included the construction of an expanded and modified blower building with two new blowers and reuse of two existing blowers, two new aeration basins, the retrofit of two existing aeration basins, selector process considerations, aeration piping replacement, return activated sludge (RAS) piping modifications, mixed-liquor recycle (MLR) pump addition, over 1,100 LF of outfall piping upgrades, demolition of an existing trickling filter and associated appurtenances, and site work.

This presentation will:

• Provide a contextual overview of the existing facility and phased improvement planning
• Review unique Phase 1 design elements:

- Use of an intentionally flexible anoxic/anaerobic selector to maximize rated capacity
- Aeration basin FRP partitioning to convert from complete mix basin and create plug flow conditions to maximize capacity and aid foam removal
- Blower selection and reuse of existing blowers
- Probe selection, use, and location for operational control and data acquisition
- Diffuser process selection for improved capacity and O&M access
- Open Channel Mag Meter to maximize capacity
- Preparation for future phases incorporated into the design

• Discussion of bid procedures for contractor responsibility and qualification-based bidding specific to Washington State requirements
• Discuss construction and facility start-up lessons learned