Optimization of External Sugar Fermentation at the Rock Creek Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility

Removal of organic carbon as a pollutant is one of the basic functions of the activated sludge process. For nutrient removal processes, carbon is also required for denitrification and for phosphorus release as part of biological phosphorus removal (BPR). In many cases, the quantity of influent carbon is insufficient for the nutrient removal process needs. Though costly, external carbon sources are often used to assist the treatment process. Clean Water Services (the District) investigated the uses of waste sugar as an external carbon source to improve BPR at the Rock Creek Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility (AWWTF) in Hillsboro, Oregon. This creates a win-win situation; the industries can cheaply dispose of their waste products and the District is able to use the carbon where it can be most beneficial in the treatment process.