Every day, New Jersey residents safely consume hundreds of gallons of water from the Delaware River and other open water sources. How is this made possible? The answer is the dozens of New Jersey wastewater treatment plants and the professional technicians employed there working tirelessly to ensure our city has access to clean, safe and delicious water.
O&M Solutions provides solutions for professional equipment operations, water treatment facility management and more. We’re here to support you with any water treatment tasks. Contact us to learn more.
Wastewater management is essential to our city’s infrastructure. Without it, we would be faced with public health crises and environmental degradation on a massive scale. Yet, despite its critical importance, many people know very little about what is actually involved in the process, planning and regulation of wastewater management facilities.
To learn more about New Jersey wastewater treatment plants, keep reading.
What Happens at a New Jersey Wastewater Treatment Plant?
Because of its critical importance to the health of American citizens and ecosystems, the water and wastewater treatment process is regulated at the federal, state and local levels. Wastewater management facilities must follow strict guidelines in order to operate.
For that reason, the water treatment process is relatively universal across the country, with only slight variations by the state to accommodate different environmental- and population-related risks or demands.
How the Sewer Works
In New Jersey, much like other states in the country, the sewer system begins in your home’s drains and pipes. When you flush or pour wastewater down a drain, it flows through a network of gravity-powered pipes, sewers and systems designed to guide it safely to the nearest wastewater management facility.
On the way there, a series of lift stations and collection systems carry the water into a central pump station. At this station, wastewater undergoes a series of treatment processes in order to prevent debris from damaging the tubes.
First, the wastewater is processed for sludge removal. The sludge that gets removed then goes to a digester, which shreds and grinds larger particulate matter so that it doesn’t cause any clogging. Then, the wastewater sludge gets further treated in a heat exchanger. The result is a more homogenous mixture of wastewater.
Once the sewage has been treated at the pump station, it is pumped up toward the local wastewater treatment plant where it will be processed fully.
The Wastewater Treatment Process
Upon arrival at the wastewater treatment plant, sewage undergoes a series of treatment processes that vary slightly based on local regulations and the age of the facility.
The New Jersey wastewater treatment process is as follows.
Pretreatment and screening: Wastewater travels through a series of increasingly filtered screens in order to remove all larger particles.
Pumping and aerating: Smaller filters then ensure as much particulate matter as possible is removed from the water. Filtration methods can include grit chambers, which filter out small particles that can’t be removed with chemicals, and aerating, where oxygen bubbles help release gas and odor and dissolve organic matter.
Sludge and scum removal: During this stage, organic matter settles to either the top (where it is then referred to as scum) or bottom (where is it then referred to as sludge) of a tank called a primary clarifier. Once the water is clean of scum and sludge, it can undergo another stage of filtration through a clarifying substance such as sand or carbon.
Disinfection: At this point, the water is 85% clean and considered to be “effluent” or safe to drink. The final stage involves disinfecting it before it returns to an open water source. This can be done with chlorine, ozone or ultraviolet light.
Once the disinfection stage is complete, the water is safe to be discharged into an open water source such as a lake or river.
New Jersey Wastewater Programs, Laws and Regulations
In New Jersey, anyone who owns or operates a wastewater management plant must be certified by the state’s regulating body, the New Jersey Division of Water Quality.
The NJPDES Program
All ground and surface water in New Jersey is protected under the NJPDES Program. By ensuring that all water being released into an open water source is properly treated, the local regulators are able to avoid pollution, threats to human health and environmental damage.
The program is able to achieve a high level of water quality in the state because of its permit system. In New Jersey, all water treatment plant owners and operators must obtain permits that limit the level of pollutants they are able to discharge from their facilities.
All facilities that manage wastewater must obtain these permits on an ongoing basis, including campgrounds, schools and large industrial facilities. In addition to this, those planning to build new facilities must submit their proposed levels of discharge to gain authorization before construction can begin.
New Jersey License Requirements
All individuals operating a wastewater treatment plant must obtain their licensing under New Jersey State law. In order to be an eligible Licensed Operator, the state requires the completion of work experience, training classes and a series of exams. Maintaining your license requires regular appeals to the DEP every three years.
All New Jersey wastewater treatment facilities require a licensed operator, including:
Industrial-sized facilities
Public collection, treatment and distributions systems for wastewater and water
Very Small Water Systems
All systems must be owned and operated by an individual who holds a permit and license equal to or greater than what is required by the state laws for their facility’s size.
Find Maintenance or Management for a NJ Wastewater Treatment Plant
Wastewater management plants in New Jersey do essential work that keeps the water flowing through your tap safe and clean to enjoy.
O&M Solutions provides wastewater treatment operation and management solutions for the public and private sectors in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. Our reputation is derived from the excellent results we’ve delivered to our clients for years.
For more information about how we can assist you with repairs, management, and assessments at your New Jersey wastewater treatment facility, contact us today.