of Wastewater Treatment Facilities
OCTOBER 1977
£
Office of Water Program Operations
Municipal Operations Branch
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, B.C. 20460
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INTRODUCTION
The Operations and Maintenance documents described on the following
pages were prepared under sponsorship of the Environmental Protection
Agency's Municipal Operations Branch, Office of Water Program Operations.
The information was developed with the cooperation of EPA Regional
technical staff, and State, and local governmental personnel.
Copies of the publications may be obtained, for a minimum fee,
through the U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. or the
National Technical Information Service, at Springfield, Virginia. Order
forms are included for each of these sources.
Questions relating to the availability of these documents should be
directed to the appropriate EPA Regional offices. A listing of mailing
addresses for each office is included as an appendix. Inquires may also
be submitted to the Municipal Operations and Training Division, (WH-596),
United States Environmental Protection Agency, 401 "M" Street, Southwest,
Washington, D.C. 20460.
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"ASPECTS OF STATE-WIDE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAMS
FOR MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES"
This document provides information to assist in the development
of State emergency programs in responding to spills of raw or in-
adequately treated municipal wastewater. It emphasizes the legal
aspects of spill reporting, the definition of a reportable spill and
State-wide aspects of emergency response planning.
Preliminary steps in this work included a review of existing and
proposed Federal statutes and current State water pollution control
laws and regulations. Over 55 State and interstate agencies were
asked to provide information on existing or future water pollution
contingency plans. Over 200 wastewater treatment facilities were asked
to provide information on emergency actions.
Each State response plan must be, of course, modified to the
individual situation.
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"A PLANNED MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
FOR MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS"
This information was developed and successfully demonstrated as
a Planned Maintenance Management System (PMMS) at the 18-mgd Lower
Potomac Wastewater Treatment Plant of Fairfax County, Virginia. It
outlines a model maintenance management program for wastewater treat-
ment plants throughout the United States. It provides for the specific
maintenance needs of each item of plant equipment and reduces the
maintenance of complex equipment to simple procedures. For each pro-
cedure the system details the methods, materials, tools, and personnel
required; schedules the task; and provides for data recording and
feedback.
During the 12-month demonstration, the system caused a steady
downward trend in the frequency of malfunctions in various mechanical
equipment. In many cases the detection of danger signs led to correc-
tive action which prevented breakdowns.
This report describes the system in technical detail; thoroughly
describes the installation of the system, including acceptance by
the mechanics and coordination with plant operations; and outlines
an application of the system to other wastewater treatment facilities.
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"PROCESS CONTROL MANUAL FOR
AEROBIC BIOLOGICAL WASTEHATER
TREATMENT FACILITIES"'
This document will provide an on-the-job reference for operators
of activated sludge and trickling filter wastewater treatment plants.
It wil] also assist operators in establishing process control techniques
and optimizing the performance of these two aerobic biological treat-
ment systems.
; major divisions, includes: The
Hing Filter Process and Appendices.
IB following sections: Troubleshooting;
.aboratory Control. These sections
iting and controlling aerobic biological
sections are presented in sufficient
them independently.
('•*
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OPERATIONS MANUAL
"ANAEROBIC SLUDGE DIGESTION1'
Comments were solicited from treatment plant operators through-
out the country on the operation, control and trouble-shooting of
anaerobic sludge digesters and included in this document. Major
contributions are also included from scientists and engineers.
Case histories of operational experiences and problem-solving
form a section of the publication which will be useful to plant operators,
designers and engineers who are interested in digester operation and
theory.
The subject of anaerobic digester operation in municipal wastewater
treatment plants is presented by covering the area of troubleshooting,
general operation, safety, start-up of units, basic theory, sampling
and laboratory testing, and other subjects relevant to day-to-day opera-
tions. The manual is intended for plant operators who have anaerobic
digesters as part of their total treatment process. The document is
structured so that each section is complete within itself and indexed
for nuick reference.
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"CONSIDERATIONS FOR PREPARATION
PJL
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUALS"
This document provides considerattms for the preparation of
complete and adequate municipal wastewater treatment plant operation
and maintenance (O&M) manuals. Proper utilization of these guidelines
will assist the user in complying with the eligibility requirements
of EPA's Construction Grant Program.
Some of the information included was extracted from the appendix of
the "Federal Guidelines for Design, Operation and Maintenance of
Wastewater Treatment Facilities", (1970). Material gathered from individ-
uals experienced in the preparation of plant O&M manuals
and data compiled from existing O&M manuals are also included in this
work.
The document contains separate sections on each major topic recommended
for inclusion in an O&M manual, as well as detailed discussions on the
type of information which should be included. A suggested manual outline
is presented for treatment plants; another for pumping stations and pipe-
lines. The guidelines are not intended to present a rigid format; each
manual must be suited to the case at hand.
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"EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR
MUNICIPAL MASTEWATER"TREATMENT FACILITIES"
This manual is designed to assist those responsible for develop-
ing comprehensive emergency operating procedures and systems for
wastewater treatment facilities. It is a supporting document for
treatment plant staffs to use in explaining to local governing bodies
the need for additional funds to remedy malfunctioning units at their
plants. The document is also useful for municipal department heads
and staff for use in developing plans suited to the peculiarities
of their plants. It is useful for regulatory agencies in evaluating
the emergency operation program sections of 6&M manuals. Consulting
engineers may use it as a guide for writing the emergency operating
portion of an O&M manual for any municipal treatment system.
The document was also prepared to orovide guidance to ensure
each plant's discharge of oollutants does not exceed the effluent
limitations written into the facility's discharge permit.
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"ESTIMATING LABORATORY
NEEDS FOR MUNICIPAL MSTE-
WATER TREATMENT
FACILITIES"
Because treatment processes and combinations of processes vary
widely, laboratory needs must be specifically tailored to each
installation. This manual provides data to make possible the rough
estimation of laboratory needs for municipal wastewater treatment
plants. Criteria for physical facilities, staffing, and laboratory
services are included. Considerations for sampling and testing needs
are presented for individual processes, and include the minimum and
the best testing requirements. The testing programs are designed to
meet the needs of each process.
Guidelines for equipment and supplies are divided into six
categories: Major Equipment; Miscellaneous Equipment; Expendable
Supplies; Glass and Plasticware; Test Kits; and Chemicals. The
guidelines for Major Equipment and Chemicals are based on testing re-
quirements, while the others are usually general and indicate items
needed at any laboratory.
Estimates for staffing needs are given as the annual base man-
hours for laboratories serving the several types of treatment facil-
ities, and include methods for adjusting the number of man-hours for
local conditions. The manual describes two ways of optimizing labora-
tory services: regional laboratories serving several facilities,
and local laboratories serving both water and wastewater facilities.
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"ESTIMATING STAFFING FOR
MUNICIPAL HASTENATER TREATMENT FACILITIES"
This manual, intended for use by consulting engineers, plant
management personnel, State regulatory agencies and EPA, describes a
four-step method for preparing staffing estimates for sewage treatment
plants. It covers plants with capacities of from 0.5 to 25 million
gallons per day (mgd) of sewage, using primary, secondary and advanced
treatment processes. The four-steps are to:
1. Develop from a Table of Adjustment for Local Conditions,
factors, for increasing or decreasing staffing needs relative to those
for an "average" plant.
2. Develop the staffing for such an "average" plant from a number
of curves that show annual manhour needs for:
a. Supervisory, clerical, laboratory and yard work on the
basis of plant design capacity.
b. Operation and maintenance work on the basis of both plant
design capacity and types of process units or steps.
In addition, develop from a table the operation and maintenance
manhour needs for certain types of non-continuous processes on the basis
of the time that the equipment for these processes is in operation.
3. Increase or decrease the annual manhour staffing for these six
types of work by using the factors taken from the Table of Adjustment for
Local Conditions.
4. Break down this staffing by type of work into specific jobs.
Staffing estimates prepared according to this manual should not be
used as rigid requirements. The final decision on the staff required
for a particular plant should be made by a person experienced with
similar plants in a like area. Ultimately, a plant staffing requirement
must be a matter of judgment.
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"MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS FOR MUNICIPAL WASTE-
WATER FACILITIES"
The basic information furnished in this document was gathered
from individuals experienced in maintenance management systems at
various-sized facilities. Existing systems were reviewed at different
municipalities, the private sector and defense establishments.
The manual includes recommendations covering each of the
basic elements required to develop an effective maintenance management
system. These recommendations may be tailored to specific equipment
and plant types. The procedures are comprehensive and will aid the
development of effective systems.
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OPERATIONS MANUAL
"PACKAGE TREATMENT PLANTS"
Package treatment plants were originally designed to serve areas
that could not be easily connected to an existing sewage treatment
plant. Such areas include the subdivisions that began springing uo
in the fifties and comnierical establishments such as restaurants,
notels and parks. More recently, package plants have increased to
a size that can serve small municipalities. Many were sold with
the idea that plants would operate themselves and, therefore, could
be turned on and forgotten. However, to meet todays!s more demanding
pollution discharge requlations, these plants reguire daily attention
by a knowledgeable and conscientious onerator. In addition, the new
operator needs time to familiarize himself with the plant. This
manual is desioned to give the onerator an increased knowledne of the
basics and aid in effective operation of a package treatment plant.
The manual is also directed to the plant owner and the design
engineer. The owner is either the actual ourchaser of the plant
if orivatelv owned, or the individual or nroun responsible for
making policy decisions concerning the treatment nlant', such as a
city council. The owner is responsible for adding to the treatment
plant when needed, controlling sewer construction practices in the
service area, keening supplies at the plant and supervising the
operator. Most importantly, the owner is ultimately, legally and
administratively responsible for the performance of the treatment
olant. The manual contains detailed descriptions of the duties and
responsibilities of the owner.
For the engineer, the purposes of this manual are two-fold. It
provides additional information that can be used wholly or in part
with an O&M manual written for a specific plant. In addition, it
can aid the consulting engineer in the selection of a plant by pointing
out design problems found in some package nlants.
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"STABILIZATION PONDS—OPERATIONS MANUAL"
Stabilization ponds were first used for wastewater treatment in
the midwest for remote communities. They have since been used exten-
sively in various parts of the country. In addition to domestic uses,
ponds are now treating various types of industrial wastes — including
vegetable, oil refineries, slaughter houses, dairies, and rendering
plants.
This manual is intended to serve several functions:
A. Supplement the specific operation and maintenance manual
prepared for municipal ponds.
B. Provide basic information on pond theory and features
the entry-level operator should know.
C. Provide tips on operation and maintenance for experienced
operators based on information from various parts of the nation.
D. Outline troubleshooting tips for handling various problems
common to ponds.
The manual is divided into six major divisions:
I. The Basics
II. Control Information
III. Operation and Maintenance for Ponds
IV. Troubleshooting for Ponds
V. Safety
VI. Appendices
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"START-UP OF MUNICIPAL
WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES"
The manual is a guide for establishing the initial guidelines
for the operation of a new municipal wastewater treatment plant, a
new addition to an existing plant or a change in the mode of a
pi ants"s operation.
Information is provided on preparing for actual treatment plant
start-up, including: staffing, developing standard operating pro-
cedures; establishing procedures when construction is continued during
start-up; dry and wetrun testing of equipment; on-site operator training;
and safety training.
Start-up procedures are described for some of the more common
pretreatment and primary treatment units. Methods are also provided
for specific secondary treatment processes of activated sludge,
trickling filters, stabilization ponds and aerated lagoons, as well as
sludge handling units and the anaerobic digestion process.
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"PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATING
THE PERFORMANCE OF
WASTEHATER TREATMENT PLANTS"
This manual establishes a procedure for the evaluation of the
performance of wastewater treatment plants. It furnishes the informa-
tion necessary to identify and classify various types of treatment
plants. Details of the processes commonly utilized are included, and
the identity and description of ordinary problems are provided. Infor-
mation is also provided as to the type of laboratory tests which should
be performed, along with other evaluation techniques. Corrective
measures are listed in order of their effectiveness.
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ORDER BLANK FOR PUBLICATIONS
AVAILABLE FROM THE U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
(Make checks payable to the Superintendent of Documents)
Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D. C. 20401
Remittance is enclosed. Please send copies of the following documents as listed:
copies of "Aspects of State-Wide Emergency Response Programs for
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facilities," (055-001-01077-0)
02.20 $
copies of "A Planned Maintenance Management System for
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants," (5501-00756-6)
(31.55 $_
copies of "Aerobic Biological Wastewater Treatment Facilities"
process control manual (055-001-01071-1)
04.75 $_
copies of "Anaerobic Sludge Digestion, Operations Manual,"
(055-001-01075-3) 03.25 $_
copies of "Considerations for Preparation of Operations and
Maintenance Manuals," (5501-00644-6) 03.10 $_
copies of "Emergency Planning for Municipal Wastewater
Treatment Facilities," (5501-00778-7) 01.25 $_
copies of "Estimating Laboratory Needs for Municipal
Wastewater Treatment Facilities," (5501-00651-9) 01.45 $_
copies of "Estimating Staffing for Municipal Wastewater
Treatment Facilities," (5501-00569-5) §1.75 $_
copies of "Maintenance Management Systems for Municipal
Wastewater Facilities," (5501-00762-1) 01.60 $_
• copies of "Package Treatment Plants," operations manual
(055001-01072-9) 02.50 $_
copies of "Stabilization Ponds, Operations Manual,"
(055-001-01076-1) 02.30 $_
copies of "Start-up of Municipal Wastewater Treatment
Facilities," (5501-00763-9)01.40 $_
TOTAL ENCLOSED $.
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Remittance is enclosed. Please send copies of
the following documents as listed:
Number of Circle Prices Amount
Copies Title of Document Paperback Microfiche Enclosed
copies of "A Planned Maintenance Manage- $5.50 $2.25 $
ment System for Municipal Wastewater
Treatment Plants," (PB233111/AS)
copies of "Considerations for Prepara- 7.50 2.25 $
tion of Operation & Maintenance Manuals."
(PB227096/AS)
copies of "Emergency Planning for 5.00 2.25 $
Municipal Wastewater Treatment
Facilities," (PB256612/AS)
copies of "Estimating Laboratory 6.00 2.25 $
Needs for Municipal Wastewater
Treatment Facilities, (PB256613/AS)
copies of "Estimating Staffing for 5.00 2.25 $
Municipal Wastewater Treatment
Facilities," (PB227321/AS)
copies of "Maintenance Management 5.50 2.25 $
Systems for Municipal Wastewater
Facilities," (PB256611/AS)
copies of "Procedures for Evaluating 7.50 2.25 $
the Performance of Wastewater Treat-
ment Plants," (PB228849/AS)
copies of "Start-up of Municipal 5.00 2.25 $
Wastewater Treatment Facilities,"
(PB256614/AS)
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EPA REGIONAL OFFICES
For the States of: CT, ME, MA,
NH, RI, VT
Operation and Maintenance Section
Municipal Facilities Branch
Water Division
EPA Region I
JFK Federal Bldg.
Boston, MA 02203
For the States of: AR, LA, NM,
OK, TX
Operation and Maintenance Chief
Municipal Facilities Branch
Water Division
1201 Elm Street
First International Building
Dallas, TX 75270
For the States of: NJ, NY, PR,
VI
Municipal Permits Section
EPA Region II
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10007
For the States of: IA, KS, MO,
NB
Inspection Group
Technical Services Branch
Division of Surveillance & Analysis
25 Funston Road
Kansas City, KS 66115
For the States of: DE, MD, PA,
VA, WV, DC
Municipal Permits Branch
EPA Region III
6th & Walnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19108
For the States of: CO, MT, ND,
SD, UT, WY
Operation and Maintenance Section
Control Technology Branch
Water Division
1860 Lincoln Street
Denver, CO 80203
For the States of: AL, FL, GA,
KY, MS, NC, SC, TN
Operation and Maintenance Unit
Technical Support Branch
Water Division
EPA Region IV
345 Courtland Street, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30308
For the States of: AZ, CA, HI,
NV, American Samoa, Tr. Terr, of
Pac. Islds., GU
Water Investigation Section
Technical Support Branch
Division of Surveillance & Analysis
100 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
For the States of: IL, IN, MI,
MN, OH, WI
Operation and Maintenance/Municipal
Permits Section
Construction Grants Branch
Water Division
230 S. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60604
For the States of: AK, ID, OR,
WA
Operation and Maintenance Unit
Municipal Section, Water Branch
Water Division
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
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, ,,;;n Agency
r,m Street*
£0304
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