Selection and Installation of a UV Disinfection System as a Retrofit to an Existing Wastewater Treatment Plant

New regulations affecting the management of chlorine and water quality concerns have led to an increasing popularity in the selection of ultraviolet light (UV) disinfection in the design and construction of new wastewater treatment facilities. For these same concerns, it also makes sense to retrofit existing wastewater treatment facilities to replace the existing chlorination systems with UV disinfection systems.This paper presents the methodology for selecting and installing a UV disinfection system in an existing wastewater treatment plant so as to ensure that the system is effective and the lowest possible costs are achieved. A case study of a recent installation at the Marcy Gulch Wastewater Treatment Plant is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the overall implementation process. The chlorine contact basins were modified for installation of the UV system. UV equipment procurement was completed in October 2001, the design was completed in November 2001, construction was completed in February 2002, and the UV system is in operation.