Schauer, Peter

Presented at WEFTEC 2023.

Titles from this speaker

Effects of Removing Tertiary Alum Treatment on Tualatin River Water Quality

Abstract

The Tualatin River has had a phosphorus TMDL since 1988 that requires Clean Water Services (CWS) to add tertiary alum at its two advanced water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) in the summer to meet stringent effluent limits for total phosphorus. Over several decades, management of the river has changed dramatically, especially flow management. U.S. EPA recently finalized new aluminum criteria in Oregon that challenges the use of alum in the tertiary process at current application rates to control phosphorus. CWS conducted a study in which tertiary alum addition at the WRRFs was ceased and the resulting effects on the river were monitored and modeled. While the total phosphorus concentrations in the effluent were higher than they are with alum use, the study demonstrated that the increase in total phosphorus concentration did not negatively impact water quality in the river.

Clean Water Services (CWS) demonstrated through experiments and modeling that river conditions have changed since the conditions in the 1988 TMDL that produced stringent effluent phosphorus limits for WRRFs, and river water quality can be maintained with higher effluent phosphorus concentrations. For three summers, CWS monitored the aluminum, pH, and chlorophyll-a response in the river which showed the ability to maintain water quality standards in the Tualatin River.

SpeakerCrown, Julia

Presentation time

13:30:00

13:50:00

Session time

13:30:00

15:00:00

SessionNutrient Management: Growing Water Quality

Session locationRoom S504a - Level 5

TopicIntermediate Level, Nutrients, Watershed Management, Water Quality, and Groundwater

Author(s)

J. Crown

Author(s)J. J. Crown 1; S. Mansell 1 ; R. Baumgartner 1; P. Schauer 1; J. Crown 1;

Author affiliation(s)Clean Water Services 1; Clean Water Services 1 ; Clean Water Services 1; Clean Water Services 1; Clean Water Services 1;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825158996

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count12

Evaluating Measurement Approach and Variability of the Apparent Fermentation Rate

Abstract

In an effort to understand options to improve EBPR stability, research into the sidestream EBPR process configurations has increased. Understanding the carbon generation rate of S2EBPR is key to determining if the process may improve EBPR performance. CWS has investigated methods to describe this apparent fermentation rate and evaluated AFR implications for fullscale performance. The results indicate that differences in measurement methodology can cause the resulting AFR to vary greatly.

This paper was presented at WEFTEC 2023 in Chicago, IL.

SpeakerSchauer, Peter

Presentation time

13:30:00

13:50:00

Session time

13:30:00

15:00:00

SessionBiomass Fermentation for Carbon Efficient Biological Phosphorus Removal

Session locationRoom S404c - Level 4

TopicFacility Operations and Maintenance, Intermediate Level, Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design, Nutrients

Author(s)

Schauer, Peter

Author(s)P. Schauer 1; P. Schauer 1 ; A. Menniti 1;

Author affiliation(s)Clean Water Services 1; Clean Water Services 1 ; Clean Water Services 1;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825158989

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count11

Description: Genome-centric Insights into Full-scale EBPR Captured During a Biomonitoring...

Genome-centric Insights into Full-scale EBPR Captured During a Biomonitoring Campaign

Abstract

Phosphorus removal from wastewater remains a core component of modern wastewater treatment strategies critical for protecting aquatic ecosystems and capturing valuable nutrients. Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is attractive since it reduces the need for chemical precipitating agents and facilitates phosphorus recovery. However, instability can limit the reliable application of EBPR for meeting stringent effluent phosphorus limits. As part of an ongoing biomonitoring campaign, samples were collected before and during an EBPR process stability episode and sequenced for paired metagenomes and metatranscriptomes. Analysis revealed that shifts in carbon and phosphorus loads coupled with changes in the population sizes of non-fermenting polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs; Candidatus Accumulibacter spp.), as identified in the metagenomic data, were associated with poor P-uptake. Metatranscriptomic data from these PAO populations revealed they were indeed substrate limited, as hypothesized from process data, with key genes related to carbon storage appearing down regulated during the instability event with respect to the stable control despite having a greater cell load during the instability period. Accordingly, several gene families related to carbon uptake, VFA metabolism, and PHA synthesis were found to be sensitive to the underlying carbon-limited conditions of the process instability. Our findings illustrate how combined metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing can facilitate interpretation of process data and aid in evaluating the root cause of instability. These data also indicate potential gene targets suitable for developing EBPR performance markers as part of longer term or more frequent biomonitoring efforts.

As part of an ongoing biomonitoring campaign, samples were collected before and during an EBPR process stability episode and sequenced for paired metagenomes and metatranscriptomes. Analysis revealed that shifts in carbon and phosphorus loads coupled with changes in the population sizes and gene transcription of PAOs were associated with poor P-uptake. Our findings illustrate how sequence data can facilitate interpretation of process data and aid in evaluating the root cause of instability.

SpeakerLindner, Blake

Presentation time

14:00:00

14:30:00

Session time

13:30:00

15:00:00

SessionConnecting Molecular Biology Sensors to EBPR Performance

Session locationRoom S502 - Level 5

TopicAdvanced Level, Facility Operations and Maintenance, Municipal Wastewater Treatment Design, Nutrients

Author(s)

Lindner, Blake

Author(s)B. Lindner 1; B. Layton 2 ; B. Lindner 1; B. Layton 2; R. Golda 2; K. Lesnik 3; K. Konstantinidis 4; A. Menniti 2; P. Schauer 2;

Author affiliation(s)School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology 1; Clean Water Services 2 ; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology 1; Clean Water Services 2; Clean Water Services 2; Maia Analytica 3; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology 4; Clean Water Services 2; Clean Water Services 2;

SourceProceedings of the Water Environment Federation

Document typeConference Paper

PublisherWater Environment Federation

Print publication date Oct 2023

DOI10.2175/193864718825159085

Volume / Issue

Content sourceWEFTEC

Word count11

Using a Bench Scale Test to Evaluate Anaerobic Digesters Stability and Capacity

Abstract

Limited process information is available to describe the stability and capacity of anaerobic digesters at the Clean Water Services (CWS) facilities. To supplement this information, a bioassay has been implemented to monitor the digesters operated at the Durham and Rock Creek facilities. Weekly bioassays have been conducted over the past two years. The results have allowed us to evaluate the responses of the bioassay indicators to usual operational conditions, such as changes to loadings from fats, oils and grease addition, digester startup after cleaning, and mechanical difficulties. The indicators show a response to changes to loading and detention time and the type of feed that could help understand the risk of failure, and help distinguish mechanical from biological causes of foaming events.

Clean Water Services is using a bioassay to understand the risk of failure and the capacity limitations of the full-scale digesters, as well as the impact that different operational and mechanical changes have on the health of the digesters. The responses of the bioassay indicators to usual operational conditions were evaluated. A method that monitors the microbial community behavior can offer better insight on digestion health.

SpeakerSosa-Hernandez, Ornella

Presentation time

08:30:00

08:50:00

Session time

08:30:00

10:00:00

SessionIntensifying and Optimizing Anaerobic Digestion

Session locationRoom S503 - Level 5

TopicIntermediate Level

Author(s)

Sosa-Hernandez, Ornella