With spring coming to a close, it’s the perfect time for wastewater treatment companies to boost their awareness around the different unique challenges that they will be facing come June and July. Unlike other industrial processes, wastewater treatment is a mix of biological balance and flow. As biological and chemical reactions are affected by changes in rising temperatures, wastewater treatment processes can change throughout the summer months in drastic ways.
By mixing biological understanding with awareness around the potential effects of plugged systems and sludge aging, wastewater treatment plants can avoid long-term damage to their systems and their company as a whole.
Dealing with Hot Weather in Wastewater Treatment
Reproduction rates of bacteria found in wastewater increases rapidly as temperatures warm past 95 degrees. Hotter weather can also increase the concentration of suspended solids and lead to other major issues.
During warmer months, excessive sludge aging can result in deteriorating sludge solids quality as older sludge cuts down on the process through slow metabolism. As older bacteria begin to die off, they add to the nutrients in the wastewater stream. This can increase solids and total suspended solids included in the plant effluent.
Being Proactive During Summer
By lowering the sludge retention time during the hottest parts of the summer, excessive sludge aging can be reduced. Wastewater treatment plants can also adjust the sludge wasting rates in order to compensate by shifting the right amount of return activated sludge from another clarifier. A short-term test can be used to keep an eye on how much of a returned sludge flow rate is allowed to keep mixed solids at a proper rate for re-seeding raw wastewater to the main treatment tank.
Wastewater treatment plants should also be sure to invest in water treatment insurance in order to cut down on major liabilities and the financial fallout that comes with them. If a treatment plant is responsible for buildup in water systems throughout a community or bacteria is found in water, there could be major legal ramifications waiting for them. Having water treatment insurance can help to provide the right resources to protect against claims while also helping to assure that the quality of treatment operations is upheld during the summer months.
Summer conditions can also generate major problems related to the cost and labor connected to operating as efficiently as possible and in compliance. Wastewater treatment clients should be aware of conditions that can cause microorganisms to expire while also keeping an eye on algae and weed growth in and around water treatment. This can impact filter bed recirculation and cause plants to die and decay while also creating foul odors in the surrounding area.
About Watercolor Management
WaterColor Management has insured the water industry for over 30 years. Our policies include unlimited defense cost coverage in the event of a lawsuit against you. Call us at (256) 260-0412 or email info@watercolormanagement.com for a quick quote for your Water Business Professional, Products/Completed operations, Pollution and General Liability Insurance.