PHARMACEUTICAL WWTP OPTIMIZATION INVESTIGATION

A pharmaceutical company located in the northern United States owns and operates a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to treat process and sanitary wastewater from its production facilities. The WWTP includes aerated lagoon treatment, chemical treatment for solids and phosphorus removal, final clarification, disinfection, and tertiary filtration. Although the WWTP has an excellent record of permit compliance, the owner was interested in optimizing the plant to reduce operating costs and to cost-effectively expand treatment capacity.This paper discusses a recent optimization project that brought together ideas of the owner and engineering consultant for in-depth investigation. This paper presents:A description of the existing wastewater flows, WWTP processes, and WWTP treatment efficiency.The process of conducting an optimization study for this specific WWTP.The field work and process evaluations conducted for the optimization study.A summary of recommendations for WWTP optimization.A discussion of the teamwork necessary between the owner and consultant to achieve the desired goals.