Side by Side by Side the Evaluation of Three High Rate Process Technologies for Wet Weather Treatment

Most large combined sewer communities face significant financial investment to address wet weather compliance issues. Innovative, cost-effective methods of dealing with wet weather flows is a must to prevent spiraling rate increases for rate payers. High rate clarification and high rate filtration systems are becoming the technology of choice for treating wet weather flows. The City of Akron, Ohio selected three high rate treatment technologies to pilot test and evaluate for incorporation into their wastewater treatment plant as a Secondary Bypass process treatment train. The technologies were evaluated based on their ability to reduce pollutant parameters contained in their NPDES Permit. The pilot units were operated at unit flow rates commensurate with full-scale units. Treated effluent was also tested for potential impacts to ultraviolet disinfection systems. The results of these evaluations establish a baseline expectation for fullscale performance of each process technology if applied for treating Secondary Bypass flow at the Akron Water Pollution Control Station.