Lessons Learned: A Pilot Project for Secondary Process Real Time Monitoring at MSDGC

At Mill Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Cincinnati, several on ‐ site TSS and blanket probes from various vendors have been evaluated and tested to assess technologies for real time monitoring of the performance of the secondary treatment process. The primary goal of this pilot project was to identify the technologies required to reduce process variation and increase stability of the treatment process. Achieving these goals will in turn help to improve sludge quality and downstream processes, as well as to gain additional treatment capacity and improve effluent quality. During sensor evaluation, a detailed screening matrix was developed to help aid the selection of testing units, and Hach and YSI was the two brands that continued for further field testing. Based on the trial results, both HACH and YSI TSS meters worked well to provide real time monitoring for the secondary aeration, while blanket meter measurement devices need further trialing.