Better Pathogen Removal by EHRT than Activated Sludge Alone

Multiyear, side-by-side, full-scale studies at the Bay View Water Reclamation Plant in Toledo, Ohio demonstrate that leading-edge, non-biological enhanced high-rate treatment (EHRT) technologies provide equal or better reduction of pathogens and pollutants of concern from peak wet-weather flows as conventional activated sludge treatment. In particular, the EHRT train demonstrated statistically higher reductions of Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium and Giardia than the parallel activated sludge train. In many cases, such as densely populated urban areas, wet-weather flow capacity expansions with EHRT technologies are significantly less costly and more resilient than other alternatives. Wastewater, stormwater and water reclamation utilities should continue to consider EHRT alternatives as they develop and implement plans to control wet-weather flows and manage water quality.