Winter poses unique challenges for wastewater treatment facilities in PA, NJ, and NY. Learn essential winterization tips to protect equipment, optimize processes, and ensure compliance. From insulating pipes to managing energy use, this guide covers everything wastewater operations and maintenance teams need to prepare for a smooth, efficient winter season.
Outsourcing wastewater operations and maintenance offers a strategic advantage for both public and private sector wastewater treatment plant operators. By partnering with O&M specialists, plants can achieve operational excellence, cost efficiency, and enhanced compliance, all while contributing positively to environmental conservation. Visit www.oandmsolutions.com to discover how our custom O&M solutions can transform your wastewater management strategy.
The state of New Jersey (NJ) is a thriving state that is home to more than 9 million people as well as thousands of commercial businesses. Because of the high population density and thriving economy, it is necessary to have a water treatment system that is effective, dependable, and mindful of the surrounding environment. This blog post provides an overview of the complete water treatment services that are offered to clients in the public as well as private sectors in New Jersey. These services ensure that safe, clean, and drinkable water is readily available.
Sludge is the mixture of solids and waste collected by wastewater treatment facilities during the water treatment process. It’s the job of these facilities to take wastewater, separate materials like sludge and return treated effluent water back into the greater water system.
At O&M Solutions, we’re specialists in water treatment and facility management.
Ensuring good water quality is vital to the well-being of the population, the environment, and the economy. In New Jersey, there are state regulatory standards and processes that govern all water quality management plans and programs. These standards oversee both water quantity and quality, which both have daily impacts on local infrastructure.
Responsible wastewater treatment and management can relieve the environment of major impact. Untreated wastewater— which currently accounts for nearly 80% of the world’s wastewater released into natural ecosystems today— causes pollution, temperature change, and other threats to the environment.
Real efficiency begins at the local level. Systematically, all WWTPs in a jurisdiction would benefit the greater community by undergoing operations and efficiency analysis from wastewater treatment consulting experts. Combining updated operation standards, improved performance tracking and multi-facility oversight results in larger energy and cost savings.
Although you probably don’t think of wastewater, sewer systems or pollution control whenever you fill a fresh glass under the kitchen tap, they’re all closely linked. Wastewater management plants play a huge role in environmental responsibility and clean water. If you’ve ever wondered who works in a wastewater management plant or what exactly goes on behind the scenes, keep reading.
For public and private sectors in Pennsylvania, wastewater infrastructure is one of the top priorities in ensuring people maintain access to clean water. Without adequate wastewater management, civilians throughout the state would be at risk of losing the very water they need in order to hydrate, bathe and survive.
Any examination of wastewater provides a clear explanation of why water treatment is a critical part of a city’s infrastructure. Wastewater management processes are essential for protecting human and environmental health and well-being. Without wastewater management, residents of Eastern PA would suffer from contaminated drinking water, water scarcity, environmental degradation, contaminated livestock and public health crises.
When it comes to commercial development, wastewater and water treatment are essential processes that play a critical role in public health and environmental protection. At O&M Solutions, we specialize in commercial wastewater and water treatment and management. We’re here to support your team with any commercial water treatment tasks. Contact us to see how we can help.
Wastewater and water management are critical parts of the infrastructure of every city in America. The tasks performed by operators and technicians who work at treatment plants protect civilians and environments from public health crises and ecological disasters. For that reason, these professionals must be properly trained and licensed in order to perform these essential tasks.
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.
At O&M Solutions, we specialize in equipment operations, water treatment facility management and more. We’re here to support you with any water treatment tasks. Contact us to see how we can support operations in your facility.
Proper wastewater management is a necessity for environmental and human health. When mismanaged, wastewater can lead to public health crises and ecological degradation. Federal, state, and municipal governments must follow extensive guidelines from multiple technological and environmental governing bodies.
Conscientiously disposing of wastewater is more important than ever. When wastewater is discharged in large quantities and not treated properly, it has adverse effects on the environment.
Wastewater can cause a myriad of environmental problems. For instance, the temperature of wastewater is typically higher than the water supply, which qualifies it as a pollutant. When it flows into local water systems, it may raise the temperature of the surrounding water. Even this small disruption can pose a major threat to the ecosystem.
Advanced technology supporting wastewater operations provides real solutions to cut down on environmental problems.
At O&M Solutions, we are dedicated to solving this and other challenges in wastewater operations. Visit our homepage to learn more.
Upgrading wastewater pump stations is a reliable way to reduce environmental impact.
Pump stations are designed to raise wastewater to a higher elevation for treatment, which reduces the risk that contaminated or polluted water makes its way back into water systems. Treating wastewater is necessary before it is discharged into the water supply, but the pump stations themselves can pose environmental threats without the proper considerations.
Water treatment and wastewater comprise almost 3% of the total electricity production in the U.S., and pump stations make up a large portion of that energy use.
Upgrading older pumps, which were designed with a single speed and on/off cycling, is the first step towards energy savings and increasing the efficiency of the pump.
By implementing green architecture in pump stations, operators can further save energy. Improvements can include the following:
Pump and drive combinations that operate at variable frequencies to accommodate differing flow rates, reducing the energy used during cycling
Using reusable waste materials, instead of cement in the concrete mixes, for the production of the pump stations, which has the additional perk of reducing cost
Substituting chlorine with ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection systems, substantially reducing cost and energy usage
Configuring the pump to take advantage of gravity to elevate wastewater, giving the motors a break
The equipment used throughout the wastewater treatment plant is just as important as the pump itself in reducing pollution. Beyond just upgrading older pumps with newer, more efficient models that last longer, there are many other things owners and operators can do to reduce energy usage. Such as…
Replacing old T-12 fluorescent lighting in the plant with T-8 lights, which last longer and are much more energy-efficient
Using screens to collect nonbiodegradable solids and prevent them from clogging the pumps, prolonging their efficiency and overall life of use
Using a dual-channel grinder or a grinder pump to chop up larger solids into smaller particles, preventing blockages to the pump
Automating operations and using real-time data to monitor equipment, showing areas where energy use can be reduced and calling attention to issues before they become significant
With use of the good ole’ three R’s–reduce, reuse, and recycle–wastewater treatment facilities can make small, realistic, strategic changes for the good of the environment.
For instance, less water used means less wastewater to be treated and discharged.
Cutting down on water use is a priority in all types of business, including ours.
Wastewater can be reused in the production of concrete mixes. Recycling of wastewater reduces the amount of wastewater needing to be treated. Simple and effective.
Visit our blog, Operational Problems in Wastewater Treatment Plants to learn more about how your day-in-day-out has a net impact on all kinds of factors, including environmental ones.
Aeration is the essential process of adding air into wastewater to encourage the biodegradation of pollutants. Despite its necessity to the activated sludge process, it can be a big energy sucker, comprising as much as 75% of total energy consumption at wastewater treatment plants.
There are steps to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the aeration process and reduce energy usage, including these:
Monitoring ammonium levels throughout the nitrification process to catch inconsistent ammonium levels early, before they cause problems
Updating the air distribution system and blowers to include variable frequency drives, decreasing energy usage
Replacing older blowers with high-efficiency turbo blowers, which offer operational flexibility and can work conjunctively with dissolved oxygen levels to only provide the air that is needed
Using dissolved oxygen control systems to reduce the energy usage of the blowers
Promoting higher efficiency oxygen transfer and reducing air levels required for treatment by using fine-pore or ultra-fine-pore diffusers
Implementing a most open valve (MOV) control strategy, reducing the pressure needed by the blowers resulting in less energy usage
To learn more about aeration and the activated sludge process, check out our blog on Wastewater Activated Sludge Problems.
Recovering nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen is important for our ecosystem. When these essential nutrients make their way into the water supply, eutrophication occurs, which is damaging to aquatic life through oxygen reduction. The key solutions to reduce effluent total nitrogen and phosphorus levels include tertiary filtration and denitrification filters, such as continuous backwash filters or deep-bed filters.
These solutions require minimal changes to the plant and are relatively inexpensive.
Treating wastewater is already a complex process. Add the responsibility of caring for the environment into the mix, and the job can seem intimidating. Turning to the experts is the most reliable method for checking all of the boxes.
At O&M Solutions, we have the experience and knowledge needed for all of your operational and maintenance tasks. Our extensive work in the private and public sectors in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania puts us at the forefront of maintenance and sustainability solutions for wastewater plants.
Turn to us to reduce your energy usage and avoid costly repair expenses. We will work with you to achieve your sustainability goals. Call us at (732) 965-5764 or reach out online.
Operating a wastewater treatment facility comes with its share of challenges. These plants are large, complicated and costly, but having a knowledgeable team can make all the difference.
Even though it may seem like some issues are too large or too many to handle, there are steps you can take to reduce some of the pressure. Read on for six of the most common operational problems in wastewater treatment plants and what you can do to alleviate them.
At O&M Solutions, we know how difficult it can be to keep up with wastewater facility operations and maintenance – that’s why we do the work for you. If you want to learn more about how O&M Solutions can serve your needs, visit our website: www.oandmsolutions.com
According to the US Department of Energy, municipal wastewater treatment plants spend up to $2 billion in electricity a year. This equates to about 25% to 40% of the facility’s budget. Aerobic biological treatment uses the most energy in a plant due to the aeration system. This system essentially adds oxygen to the water so that oxygen-feeding bacteria can stay alive to continue treating the water.
One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy usage in wastewater treatment plants is to clean the diffuser in the aeration system so that the bubbles become smaller. This increases efficiency and lowers energy consumption.
For this same reason, it’s important to keep the mechanics of the plant as clean as possible. Just like the aeration system, a more efficient plant will result in less energy usage and lower overall costs.
Businesses everywhere are experiencing staff shortages. But, what a wastewater treatment facility really needs is trained staff. This is even harder to find. If you can’t seem to locate reliable, adequately trained staff, outsourcing might be the best option for you.
If you have never outsourced wastewater facility maintenance and operation before, you may have some questions. Take a look at our blog to get all of these questions answered: What is Wastewater Service? When you hire professional wastewater plant service, like O&M Solutions, you can feel at ease and focus your time on other important tasks.
The reuse and disposal of sludge is both costly and strictly regulated. The best way to minimize problems associated with managing sludge is to reduce the total amount of sludge. There are a few different techniques used to control sludge:
Hydrothermal oxidation
Microbial predation
Cell lysis
Once you have reduced the total sludge in your wastewater plant, you can reduce costs associated with the reuse or disposal of the matter. If you’re not sure how to reduce sludge or you want to contact an expert, be sure to call the wastewater service professionals at O&M Solutions.
Wastewater treatment plants take up a lot of space. This often means these plants have to encroach into rural communities and in some cases, older buildings have to be demolished to make room for new plants. Typically, what makes wastewater treatment facilities so large is the activated sludge system.
According to Water World, there are new technologies being implemented that can replace the activated sludge process in a much more compact system. This technology is called an advanced bio-filtration system. It works by using both aerobic and anaerobic breakdown of waste materials, while also feeding aggressive bacteria that works to quickly consume solids.
This is not the only solution to finding more compact alternatives to the alternative sludge process. Contact your local wastewater facilities operation and maintenance team to see how else you can reduce the physical footprint of your plant.
One of the biggest issues that can come from having a medium to large staff at a wastewater treatment plant is miscommunication. These facilities require frequent maintenance and testing. But, if staff are not communicating what is being done around the plant, then mistakes can be made.
Fortunately, there is a variety of software that can be used to ensure that staff are communicating properly and documenting their tests, monitoring and maintenance. When this software is implemented, staff can provide updates and input data to make day-to-day operations go by a little smoother. Additionally, over time, you can aggregate this data to look at larger trends within the plant.
Sometimes the best way to mitigate wastewater treatment plant operation problems is by finding someone else to fix the problems for you. At O&M Solutions, we have years of experience working in both the private and public sector to assist in the operation and maintenance of plants.
Whether you want to reduce your energy usage or simply need a team to maintain your wastewater system, we have got your back. Choose the experts at O&M Solutions to solve all of your wastewater treatment plant problems.
Give us a call at (732) 965-5764 or contact us online.
The activated sludge process can be complicated and requires many components and a sharp eye. Add troubleshooting, maintenance, and repairs on top of that and you end up with an often frustrating process.
To make the troubleshooting process a little easier, we’ve compiled four common wastewater activated sludge problems and their solutions. Read on to learn more.
When you choose O&M Solutions, you can feel confident that you are receiving high quality maintenance and repair from professionals you can trust. To learn more about our services, visit our website: www.oandmsolutions.com
Sometimes, excess foam is not an issue. To determine if it is a problem, take a closer look at the color and texture of the foam. Excess and discolored foam can be caused by the following:
Poor solids capture
Nutrient deficiencies
Overload of the system
Growth of unwanted bacteria
Too low or high mean cell residence time (MCRT)
It is not always easy to nail down the issue that is causing excess foam. If you cannot seem to find the cause of discolored excess foam after completing testing, be sure to call a wastewater treatment maintenance and repair company.
There are a few different kinds of bulking, each with its own causes and effects. Non-filamentous sludge bulking happens when sludge does not settle well in the clarifier. It can be caused by the presence of fats and oils, low oxygen and nutrient deficiencies among other things.
Filamentous bulking, on the other hand, is caused by bacteria, also called filaments, that override floc-forming bacteria. You can identify the amount of filaments through testing. If there are more than 15 filaments per floc, then filamentous bulking will occur.
Sludge bulking can be controlled in a few different ways including changing the rate of flow, adding chemicals or by increasing the rate of re-aeration.
Issues in the activated sludge process don’t always come down to the water itself, sometimes it has more to do with the equipment. Here are some activated sludge equipment problems you may encounter:
Aeration system piping leaks
Air coming from diffuser-heading pipe
Insufficient oxygen transfer
The repairs for these issues are fairly simple. For example, a leak in the aeration system piping can be fixed by tightening the flange bolts. However, sometimes an issue with one piece of equipment can snowball into a system failure.
Receiving timely maintenance and scheduling repairs when necessary can help combat this issue. Take a look at our blog What is Wastewater Service to find out more about how O&M Solutions can help.
Hydraulic overload is a very common issue in wastewater treatment facilities. In fact, a study published in Water Science and Technology found 27 hydraulic overload events over 31 months.
Sludge that has settled in the clarifier and returned to the aeration tank is called returned activated sludge (RAS). Changing the RAS rate can have a positive effect by controlling the organisms present in the aeration tank. However, if the RAS rate is increased too much, it can cause a hydraulic overload.
What this means is that the incoming flow rate has exceeded what the system can handle. You may be able to simply lower the RAS rate to reverse the issue. However, if the damage has been done, the system may require a repair.
Troubleshooting activated sludge facilities can be time consuming enough, but also trying to repair and maintain these facilities yourself is just one extra task on your to-do list. Turn to O&M Solutions for commercial wastewater treatment maintenance and repair in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Our knowledgeable professionals are ready to help keep your activated sludge facility in excellent shape. From repairs to maintenance, we have got your back. Give us a call at (732) 965-5764 or contact us online.
State governments always provide regulatory frameworks around water and wastewater treatment systems and operations in a given state. These frameworks dictate how water and wastewater systems must be set up, how they must be regulated and operated, who can operate water or wastewater facilities, and additional standards.
Read on to get a basic understanding of the laws that govern water and wastewater in New Jersey.
At O & M Solutions, we are leading providers of water and wastewater services in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and parts of New York. For information or to learn more about what we offer, call (732) 965-5764.
Statewide rules around water and wastewater systems, including sewer and septic rules, exist to preserve or improve water quality and safeguard environmentally sensitive areas. The types of systems and facilities there are regulations around include the following:
Drinking water systems: public water distribution and treatment
Wells
Water allocation systems
Wastewater collection
Wastewater treatment
Different standards apply to these different types of systems.
There are federal laws around water treatment that are relevant to any state, which include the Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA) and Clean Water Act (CWA). The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is actively involved in water treatment in this region, which is composed of about twenty Watershed Management Areas (WMAs).
The New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act Rules, last amended in 2017, enacted a variety of regulations, including recordkeeping and reporting guidelines, reporting of changes to plants/emergency protocols, bans on over-extended or inadequate systems, and standards around the managerial and technical competence of water systems.
There are very specific standards in numerous areas of drinking water systems, such as the following:
Physical connections and cross connection control by containment/construction standards
Construction standards for public community water systems
Construction standards for nonpublic water systems
Standards for technical, managerial, and financial capacity of public community and non-community water systems
Any system or facility operating outside of these stated standards will be subject to fines.
Wastewater collection and treatment in New Jersey is also subject to strict state-wide mandates. These extend to the numerous processes commonly used to treat wastewater, such as activated sludge/aerated lagoon, trickling filter/rotating biological contractor, methane collection/beneficial reuse, and more.
NJPDES programs ensure the proper treatment and discharge of wastewater, residuals, and stormwater by issuing permits that limit the concentration of pollutants that may be discharged into ground water or nearby water systems. There are standards around construction, capacity assurance, and ongoing monitoring.
To legally operate a water system or wastewater system in New Jersey, you must be licensed by the state. This will ensure that you fully understand the law of the land and can operate in a way that complies with all administrative codes.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, a division of Water Supply and Geoscience, provides six license types for water and wastewater system operators. These relate to the type of wastewater or water system the operator will be working in:
Industrial Wastewater Treatment System (N License)
Public Wastewater Treatment System (S License)
Public Wastewater Collection System (C License)
Public Water Treatment System (T License)
Public Water Distribution System (W License)
Very Small Water System (VSWS License)
To earn a license, New Jersey standards include experience, education, and passing an exam. To maintain the license, operators must complete continuing education every three years and pass a retest.
O & M Solutions is a team of highly experienced water and wastewater facility management professionals. We provide an array of services to support new construction and existing facilities, including emergency assistance. For more information about what we can provide to support your company’s compliance with the laws governing water and wastewater in New Jersey, contact us today.
