Green Screening in Bend, Oregon Innovative Band Screen Headworks Facility Reduces Energy Consumption, Landfill Impacts, and Plant Operating Costs

The existing headworks at the Bend Water Reclamation Facility had long since surpassed its intended design life and the system reliability was faltering. With one of the two existing screens having completely failed, the capacity of the remaining screen was regularly overwhelmed, sending solids and floatables downstream and creating additional work for the plant staff.The goal of this project was to identify and implement a more effective screening system that would reduce maintenance requirements and trips to the landfill while using “green” energy. This requirement drove the design to incorporate both passive lighting as well as excess digester gas in the form of hot water loops to heat the building and to provide hot water for cleaning of equipment. Additionally, the existing headworks was considered somewhat of a hazardous environment and staff safety was of utmost importance in the design approach.