ALASKA SEWAGE LAGOONS
FEDERAL WATER QUALITY ADMINISTRATION
                  NORTHWEST REGION
           ALASKA WATER LABORATORY
                       College, Alaska

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       ALASKA SEWAGE LAGOONS


                 by


           Sidney E. Clark

          Harold J.  Coutts

          Robert L.  Jackson
          Presented at the

   Second International  Symposium
          on Sewage Lagoons
 Kansas City, Missouri  (June,  1970)
              for the

FEDERAL WATER QUALITY ADMINISTRATION

     DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

      ALASKA WATER LABORATORY

           COLLEGE, ALASKA


         Working Paper No.  8

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                        ALASKA SEWAGE LAG.OONS

                                  by

                           Sidney E. Clark*
                           Harold J. Coutts**
                           Robert Jackson***
There are many isolated communities and governmental  installations
in Alaska with populations of less than 1000 people.   Most native  -
villages are not sewered.  A few of the government outposts are  served
by extended aeration package plants, others have septic tanks, and  the
rest have no treatment.  Some of the septic tanks dump directly  into
the ground.

An aerated lagoon with its ability to handle overloads and its simp-
licity of operation is attractive for remote installations.  Faculatative
lagoons with their extreme simplicity are also attractive for remote site
application, especially areas where power is unavailable or extremely
expensive ($0.25 to $1.00 per kilowatt-hour).

In 1957 a small facultative lagoon was placed in operation north of the
Arctic Circle at Fort Yukon, A-laska.  The system is a leaky lagoon
(no definite effluent line exists) that serves a school.

Late in 1967 the Alaska Air Command and the Alaska Vlater Laboratory
entered into an agreement to construct and operate a  research field
facility that included an aerated lagoon pilot plant at Eielson  Air
Force Base, 22 miles southeast of Fairbanks in Interior Alaska.  Most
of the information in this report has been obtained from the Eielson
lagoon.
For presentation at the Second International Symposium For Waste Treat-
ment Lagoons, June 23-25, 1970, Kansas City, Missouri.

*Sidney E.  Clark, Acting Chief, Cold Climate Research, Federal  Water
 Quality Administration, Alaska Water Laboratory, College, Alaska.

**Harold J.  Coutts, Research Chemical Engineer, Cold Climate Research,
  Federal Water Quality Administration, Alaska Water Laboratory,
  College,  Alaska.

***Robert Jackson, Research Chemist, Cold Climate Research, Federal
   Water Quality Administration, Alaska Hater Laboratory, College,  Alaska.

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                 COLD REGIONS LAGOON EXPERIENCE  HISTORY
 When considering  lagoons  for Alaska and  Northern  Canada  application,
 strong emphasis must be placed on cold weather impact.

 Facultative Lagoons
 The Northern Regions Sewage Lagoon Performance Statistics  presented
 in Table 1 indicate  a number of factors  of importance: 1.  winter BOD
 and solids removal  efficiencies are not  significantly  improved by
 longer detention  times in a single cell, but are  significantly im-.
 proved when a system has  several  cells operated in  series; 2. BOD
 removal efficiencies are  not affected  by increases  in  lagoon depth;
 3. bottom sludges will accumulate and  their rate  of accumulation
 will, in general, increase as one travels north,  and the rates vary
 from 8.8 to 14.0  cu  ft per 1000 people per day; and 4. although winter
 efficiencies for  the removal of total  col ifonus are not  well defined,
 winter removals of  97.7 to 99.9 percent  were reported  at Inuvik and
-Yellowknife.  Pathogenic  organisms have  been isolated  from the sewage
"deposits of early expeditions and camps  in the Arctic  and  Antarctic
 many years after  man's activities at the sites had  ceased  (2).

 The actual lagoon size is directly proportional to  the required system
 detention and the system  cost-is  also  directly proportional to the
 length of detention; therefore, loading  rates  become a highly im-
 portant factor.   Svore (29) found that loading rates are the key to
 odor control and  states that "10  Ibs applied BOD  per acre  per day
 usually eliminates  Spring breakup odor problems;  20 Ibs  applied BOD
 per acre per day  creates  odor during Spring breakup of 1 to 2 weeks
 duration; 25-30 Ibs  applied BOD per acre per day  creates odors of
 3 to 4 weeks duration; and 50-60  Ibs applied BOD  per acre  per day
 creates odors that  persist for as long as 3 months".  On the other
 hand, Brisbin (6),  Dawson (7,8,9), and Higo (13)  have  found that
 odor control can  be  attained at much higher organic loading rates.
 At Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, odor  problems became  so serious with a
 loading of 1080 Ibs  applied BOD per acre per day  and 7 day detention
.that the lagoons  had to be bypassed.  The Sutherland,  Saskatchewan
 laqoons operating at 1300 to 2600 Ibs  applied BOD per  acre per day
 and detentions of 2.75 and 1.45 days seldom create  odors detectable
 at distances greater than 1000 feet with detectable odors  generally
 'limited to distances less than 100 to  300 feet.  Dawson  (7,9)
 reports definite  improvements at  Yellowknife, Northwest  Territories,
 wnen a short detention anaerobic  primary cell  (0.6  day detention
 and 8 ft depth) was  added.  Higo  (13), after investigating a number
 of lagoons in Alberta, Canada, concludes that the potential for odor
 production can be minimized when  designing short  detention time

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                                                                           TABIE  I.    NORTHERN   REGIONS   SEWAGE   LAGOON  PERFORMANCE  STATISTICS








Latitude, °N
January Average A1r Temperature, °F
Lagoon Type
Lagoon Depth (ft.)
Detention Time (days)
Loadl ng— *BOD5/acre/day
~IBOD5/iooo ft.3/day
Ice Conditions — Duration Starting Month
to End Month
--Depth (ft.)

Sewage— Source
— Winter Temperature, "C

Lagoon Temperature— Summer , °C
—Winter, °C
Operation Efficiency
—BOD, Summer % Removed
—BOD, Winter % Removed
— Suspended Solids, Summer, % Removed
—Suspended Solids, Winter, % Removed
—Total Conforms, Suirmer, % Removed
— Total Conforms, Winter, % Removed
Odor Conditions Near Lagoons

Comments


Bottom Sludge Accumulation, ft.3/1000 capita/day
Information and Data Source
Reference

to
3
T
. oi
T-
|*
•— z
68°21 '
-28.2
(Febr. -34.1)
Facultative
1.9-3.4
73-136
8.9-9.6
0.082
October
May
To bottom ex-
cept at inlet
Raw Domestic
19°C

12.5-20°C
<1°C
73-89
41
92
85
99.7
99.9+
Noticeable at
700 ft.
Swamp area with
brush and trees
in lagoon
—
Dawson, 1967
§
S %
oJSS
^fci
II
S1- £
~±£

62°
-20.3
(Febr. -28.2)
Facultative
3.2
134
15
0.108
October
May
1-1/2

Raw Domestic
<6.5°C

14-20-C
re
70
41
	
—
„
—
Definite
Probl em
Nearly anaerobic
with some exposet
sludge banks
—
Dawson, 1967
(Compiled From Reports and Publications Referenced in Last Line)

Yellowknlfe, N.W. Territories

After Modification

Series Operation
Primary Cell Secondary Cell
62°
-20.3
Anaerobic
8.0
0.6
5170-6170
. 11.9-14.2
None
0

" Raw Domestic
"<6.5°C

14-20°C

36
36
—
"
73
80
None Reported

—


12.9
62°
-20.3
Facultative
3.2
99
18.8-19.4
0.136
October
May
T-l/2

Primary Effluent
<1.5°C

14-20°C

75* (61)**
59 (35.9)
-
~
99.99

None Reported

Natural lake
with construc-
tion deficiencies
— '
Dawson, 1967
3
2
f.
..

IS

52°
Edmonton
+1 7
Facultative
5.0
202
25.7
0.118
November
March
5.0

Raw Domestic
9-1 0°C

18°C

92.0
30.1
76

—

Low Level

—


—
Hi go, 1965

Drayton Valley, Alberta
(3550)

Series Operation
(Cell K out 12/20/61-4/11/62)
Cellfl Cell 12 Cell 03
52°
Edmonton
+3.7
Facultative
5.0
52
55.5
0.255
November
April
2.0

Raw Domestic
--
19-21°C
0.5-3°C
70.5
29.1
61.1
69.2
	
—
Low Level

„


-
52°
Edmonton
+3.7
Facultative
5.0
33
Summer/Winter
26.9/62.0
0.124/0.285
November
April
2.5

Primary Effluent
<1.0°C
19-23°C
0.5-3°C
86.0* (52.5)**
40.8 (16.5)
56.6 (-11.5)
71.7 (8.1)
	
"
Low Level

„


-
52°
Edmonton
+3.7
Facultative
4.0
36
Sunnier/Winter
9.2/ 38.6
0.05/0.222
November
April
2.5

Cell K
Effluent
<0.5°C
19-21 °C
0.5-3°C
92.5* (46.4)**
53.5 (21.4)
58.1 (3.4)
72.7 (3.5)
	
"
Low Level

..


-
Hi go, 1965

Stettler, Alberta
(3800)

Operated in Series

Primary Jl Primary J2 Secondary Jl Secondary §2
52°
Edmonton
..-+3.7
Anaerobic to
10
5.94
1433
3.29
December
February
Short durations
0.3
Raw Domestic +
Milk Process.
8-1 1°C
18-22°C
1.5-5°C
37.0
28.2
69.6
64.1

—
Moderate

Algae showed
in this pond from
April to fall
8.75
52°
Edmonton
+3.7
Facultative
5
6.20
Summer/Winter
488 / 429
2.24 / 1.97
December
March
0.2-1.0
Cell Jl
Effluent
1.5-5°C
17-21°C
0.5-3°C
63.6* (42.3)**
37.3 (12.7)
71.1 (4.9)
74.1 (27.9)

—
Moderate

	


—
52°
Edmonton
+3.7
Facultative
5
75.2
Summer/Winter
20.8 / 35.8
0.096 / 0.164
November
April
3.5
Cell K
Effluent
0.5-3°C
18-22°C
0.2-2°C
93.0* (80.7)**
51.1 (22.0) -
74.5 (11.8)
85.2 (42. 6J

—
Nil

Storage with
release spring
and fall
—
52°
Edmonton
+3.7
Facultative
5
87.4
Summer/Winter
3.49 / 24.2
0.016 / 0.11
November
April
3.5
Cell #3
Effluent
0.2-2°C
18-22°C
0.1-1°C
95.5* (35.7)**
73.0 (44.6)
87.1 (49)
87.1 (12.8)

—
Nil

Storage with
release spring
and fall
—
Hi go, 1965

2°
-
:acultative
-
-
SO-80
lovember
(pril
._
-
!5-98
36
tone
Reported
Two ponds
>perated alter-
lately
--
Sparling, 1961
o
3 •—
«-j(l
I. at 0
Arctic Circle
-12
Facultative
3.0
-
85 (winter only)
0.75
To bottom at
edges
School
20°C
<1.0°C
-
None
Noticed
No overflow
High ground-
water area
-
Anderegg, 1960
Lazy Mountain
Children's Home,
Palmer, Alaska
62°
+12
Facultative
2-5
2+
40
0.46
October
April
2
School
1.5°C
35-50
2 weeks in
Spring
—
-
Anderegg,
1959
Camrose, Alberta
(7708)
Series Operation
Long Long
Primary #1 Primary #2 Secondary #1 Secondary #2 Detention #1 Detention $2
52°
Edmonton
+3.7
Anaerobic
10.0
6.2
Summer/Winter
808/808
3.71/3.71
November
March
Nil-0.3
Raw Domestic +
Milk Process.
14-16°C
17-23°C
1-5°C
44.5
41.2
52.8
79.6
Moderate to
High
52°
Edmonton
+3.7
Facultative
10.0
5.75
Summer/Winter
488/514
2.24/2.36
November
March
N11-1.0
Primary 01
Effluent
1-5°C
17-23°C
1-4°C
55.1* (19.1)**
46.6 (9.2)
56.9 (8.7)
85.8 (30.4)
Moderate to
High
52°
Edmonton
+3.7
Facultative
5.0
3.45
Summer/Winter
697/754
3.20/3.46
November
March
2.5
Primary J2
Effluent
1-4°C
17-23°C
0.5-3°C
59.4* (9.6)**
52.4 (10.9)
73.8 (39)
87.1 (9.2)
Slight
52°
Edmonton
+3.7
Facultative
5.0
3.45
Summer/Winter
590/693
2.71/3.18
November
April
3.0
Secondary #1
Effluent
0.5-3°C
18-23°C
0.5-3°C
77.6* (44.7)**
52.8 (0.8)
79.0 (19.8)
91.0 (30.2)
Slight
52°
Edmonton
+3.7
Facultative
5.0
101
Summer/Winter
U5/23.4
0.062/0.107
November
April
3.0
Secondary #2
Effluent
0.5-3°C
19-23°C
0.1-2°C
96.3* (83.5)**
60.3 (15.9)
77.7 (-6.2)
91.8 (8.9)
Not Noticeable
52°
Edmonton
+3.7
Facultative
5.0
93
Summer/Winter
2.1/21.6
0.01/0.10
November
April
3.0
Long Det. £1
Effluent
0.1-2°C
19-23'C
0.1-3°C
49* (98.1)**
71.5 (28.2)
92.7 (67.3)
93.6 (21.8)
Not Noticeable
School Load Plus Milk Processing Plant.
Sludge— thick, black
Offensive odor to good draining fine dark
9.5-10.1
9.5-10.1
	
	
	
..
Higo, 1965
•X
CO "fl3
cl 1
if B!
"flj 0. l/> fO
••- X >>U_
LL| LLJ l/>- — •
64°
-10
Facultative
4.5
18
125
0.637
1 November
April
' <1.0
Air Base
Domestic
21 °C
19-21°C
1°C
73
51
87
87
None
Reported
Bottom sludge taken
in Jan: 8 Febr. had
50% volatiles
-
Rubel, 1965

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systems by provision of central  submerged influents, depths  of 10-20...
feet, detention of 2 to 4 days (not over 4 days at existing  flows),
and BOD loading not to exceed 9  Ibs applied BOD per 1000 cu  ft per -
day (4000 Ibs applied BOD per acre per day at 10 ft depths).

Dawson (7, 8, 9) and Grainge (12) have found that stabilization lagoons
operating under extreme winter conditions provide BOD and solids
removal rates that are approximately equivalent to primary waste
treatment.

Both North Dakota (31) and Minnesota (1, 11) are recommending that
stabilization lagoons be designed with sufficient volume to  provide
for retention of all winter flows; thus limiting effluent discharge
to that period of the year when  adequate treatment is obtained.

Aerated Lagoons
Aerated Lagoons have operated successfully in cold regions of the
contiguous United States and Canada for a number of years.  The first
aerated lagoon in Alaska was located at the Eielson Air Force Base,
near Fairbanks, and operated by  the Arctic Health Research Center.

The cost of construction of aerated lagoons is almost directly pro-
portional to detention requirements; therefore, reasonable performance
versus detention time prediction capabilities are necessary.  Several
investigations have collected data for aerated lagoon operation per-
formance within the temperature  range of 0°C to 10°C; selected sources
are shown in Figure 1.  The curves demonstrate that there is a high
probability for obtaining BOD removal efficiencies greater than
80 percent at detentions less than 15 days with lagoons operating
at temperatures less than 5°C.

Another factor affecting sizing  of aerated lagoons is a volume re-
quirement for bottom sludge accumulation.  Reid (19) suggests that
approximately 1/2 inch of annual sludge accumulation can be  expected
when a perforated tubing aeration system is utilized for aeration
and mixing.

Although several different submerged aeration systems appear com-
pletely feasible for Alaska application, some of which have  been
used in Canada, only the performance of perforated plastic tubing
manufactured by Hinde Engineering, Inc. has been reported in the
literature.  The results obtained by Reid (19), preliminary  results
of current Alaska Water Laboratory investigations, and aeration design
approaches described by others (14, 16), indicate that air delivery and
placement are not nearly as critical for aerated lagoons as  for ex-
tended aeration and activated sludge.  Furthermore, system reliability
is more important than its actual configuration for air delivery.

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   ioo_
    90
    80..
o   70.4.
    60..
     XGellman  (10) Kraft Wastes
                2°C

     © Gellman  (10) Kraft Wastes
                10°C

     O Sawyer (24) Textile Wastes
              13°C

     -{- Tov/nsend (30) Jomestic  and
       Seasonal ^ntie'ry V.'astes
                5°C

     O McKinney (15) Domestic  '.'astes
                                                .  Reid (19)  Domestic Wastes
                                                      0-1°C
    50.
-1	—15	

    Detention Time (Days)

          FIGURE 1
      AERATED LAGOQMS
 PERFORMANCE EFFICIENCIES
                                                      lo
15

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.Although  Reid  (19,20,21)  presents  a  strong  case  for  the utilization of
perforated  tubing  for  aerated- lagoons  in  cold  regions, it is feasible
to  design other diffuser  systems that  will  provide adequate mixing.

According to Van Heuvelen (31),  "There are  two waste treatment facilities
of  the  diffused air  tube  type  which  have  gone  through several winters.
The quality of effluent appeared to  be satisfactory  the first year, but
operation and  maintenance problems increased and  the quality of the
effluent  decreased.  The  holes in  the  tubing were subject to clogging
and the recommended  cleaning method  did not open  them up.  The com-
pressors  had to work under a higher  pressure to  overcome the additional
back pressure  caused by the holes  being plugged.  The additional main-
tenance caused considerable, concern  to the  owners of these installations."
In  regard to cleaning  procedures for the  perforated  plastic tubing
diffuser  systems,  Stewart, City of Regina,  Saskatchewan (28) states,
"The chief  mechanical  problem  we have  encountered is due to the small
holes in  the aeration  tubing becoming  blocked.   It has been necessary
to  lower  the water levels in the lagoons  to clean the tubing holes,
either  by cutting  new  holes or by  deforming (bending between two
-toilers).   It  appears  in  our case  that deforming  the tubing gave more
lasting results".

Black (5) reported successful  operation of  a Welles  floating aerator
at  Hinton,  Alberta and a  Lightnin  fixed unit at  Prince George, British
Columbia  in exposed  temperatures of  -29°C to -35°C,'

Solids  separation  devices located  in short  detention primary cells
(12 to  36 hour) followed  by short  detention aerated  lagoon secondary
cells (3  to 5  days)  show  considerable  promise.   Rupke (23) considers
systems with the dividing wall being the  solids  separation system
to  be feasible provided adequate mixing in  the primary cell is provided.

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                   ALASKA WATER LABORATORY

           EXPERIMENTAL AERATED LAGOON PERFORMANCE


The experience to be discussed in this section  has  been acquired
with a research pilot facility that was constructed jointly with the
Alaska Air Command-at Eielson Air Force Base  (EAFB),  22 miles south-
east of Fairbanks, Alaska.

The climate at EAFB, located at 64 1/2°N latitude,  is continental
including extreme temperatures of -80°F to  +100°F with a mean annual
temperature of approximately 25°F.

The research pilot lagoon located at EAFB was constructed with vertical
walls to avoid an appropriate side-wall influence when scaling up to
actual system size.  The EAFB lagoon is a 20 mil PVC-lined wood crib
structure, 14 feet deep, 15 feet wide, and  82 1/2 feet long.  Operating
depth is 12 feet.  The lagoon is divided into 6 cells in series.  The
system has been operated with a total  detention of  30 days  (ice in-
fluence not recalculated) and accumulative  detentions of: 1.8, 4.7,
8.3, 13.7, 21.0, and 30 days.  Raw domestic sewage  is utilized as feed.
Flow measurement is accomplished with a dump tank and a timer on the
feed pump and is checked by measuring effluent  flow with a V-notch
weir.  Periodic leak tests are conducted to further varify flow through
validity.  In the lagoon, each cell in series is fed from the previous
cell through a 2 in. diameter, 10 ft.  long  hose.  Commercial perforated
tubing was the first aeration device evaluated.  It is 3/8  in. flexible
plastic tubing with 8 1/2 slits per foot.  The  tubing is supported on
wires 16 inches above the bottom.  To alleviate sludge plugging, cell
1 has 14 tubes; cells 2 through 4 have 8 tubes; and cells 5 and 6 have
4 tubes.  The second'aeration system now under  investigation utilizes
open valve disc air diffusers.  This diffuser is essentially a 2 1/2
in. diameter shrouded disc, which sits on the open  end of a 1/8 in. NPS
pipe threaded into a header.  The disc has  a  lift of 1/6 in. during
full open air flow and "seals" the 1/8 in.  pipe opening when the air
is shut off.

The facility v/as placed in operation during the Winter of 1968-69.
System efficiencies for BOD reduction are presented in Figure 2.
During the winter, the temperature in the first 2 cells is  a trans-
ition temperature from 20°C down to less than 5°C.   The normal
winter operating temperature for an aerated lagoon  in Alaska varies
from approximately 0° to 5°C.  A close look at  the  family of curves
in Figure 2 indicates several things.  1.  There is a decided lag
between winter removal curves and the summer  removal  curve.  A small
portion of this lag can be attributed to the  ice influence  on actual
detention time, starting with cell 3.  High among the potential
explanations for the remaining lag are a lag  in bacterial population
build-up, created by low temperatures; depressed winter DO  (0 a high
percentage of the time) in cells 1 and 2 (tube  clogging); and lower
endogenous respiration rates at lower temperatures.  2. Summer BOD

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100-,-
                                            r
                               i  • •  MAXIMUM. ICE THICKNESS
                                      •  Winter 1970
                       10    •  -  15       20

                    Detention Time (Days)
25
                                                                1st v/inter
                                                                plastic  tubing

                                                                2nd winter   .
                                                                plastic  tubing

                                                                Open  eeratcr,
                                                                    winter

                                                                 Early summer'
                                                                 plastic  tubing'
                                                             J 5 ft
         -1  4
         -!  ^
          I  6
         j  2
          «
                                                                1
                                                             30
                              FIGURE  2

                      ALASKA .V.'-M:.R LAGQP.ATOP.Y
                          AERATED LAron::s
                    B'.O.D.

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 removal  efficiencies peak out between 15 and 20 days  detention  and  drop
 off beyond 20 days detention.  This is believed to be due  to  the  effects
 of excessive algae growth.  As the summer curve is for the first  summer's
 operation and very little sludge had an opportunity to settle out in
 the last 3 cells, bottom influence is not believed to be significant
 in explanation of the summer efficiency reduction at  higher detention.
 Algae were present in cells 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 from mid-April  to late
 September.  3.  The second winter's data show a consistent BOD  re-
 moval efficiency reduction of approximately 5 percent below the first
 winter curve when perforated tubing provided the aeration  and mixing.
 4.  The  winter BOD removal efficiency curve for valve disc open aerators
 shows a  significant improvement over the second winter perforated tubing
 system,  and the valve disc open aerator curve is approximately  the  same
 as the first winter perforated tubing curve.  5.  Maximum  ice thickness
 of 4 1/2 feet to 5 feet may be expected near the effluent.

 Preliminary results of tests with the system converted to  a 4 cell
 system of the same detention time indicate that removal efficiencies
 for a 4  cell system are similar to those of a 6 cell  system.

 The total coliform removal efficiencies and effluent  numbers  are:

      January-February    99.70%     3xl05/100 ml
          March           99.97,%     2x10^/100 ml

 Contamination from the extended aeration effluent backing  up  during
 early January as a result of the common outfall, undoubtedly  influenced
 these values.  Summer 1969 effluent measurements for  fecal indicators
 were:

                         July                   August

      Total Coliforms •  5.5x10^ organisms/100 ml   1.2x10^  organisms/100 ml
      Fecal Col if onus   440          "             700
      Fecal Enterococci 126          :               64

 At the EAFB aerated lagoon, with 10 1/2 feet submergence,  0°C,  2-10 mg/1
 DO, and 80+% BOD removal, the tubing transfer efficiency calculates out
 to approximately 1 to 2 percent.  No credit has been  assumed  or provided
 for surface transfer or BOD removal by primary sedimentation.  (Ultimate
'BOD assumed to be 1.5 times the 5-day, 20°C BOD).

 Current operating experience, using perforated tubing at the  EAFB aerated
 lagoon has required frequent repair and maintenance.   There have  been
 considerable tubing clogging problems which have sent more than one
 compressor to the graveyard.  The first attempt at HC1 (gas)  cleaning
 was successful bt;l very s^-ortli ved ^as_the tubina reclpgged in  less

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than two weeks.  Before gas cleaning the perforated tubing, orifice
pressure drop was greater than 3 psi at an air capacity of 1.5 cu ft
per minute per  100 feet of tubing.  After the first dose of gaseous
HC1, the air rate increased by 50% with no change in pressure drop.
The compressor  discharge temperature was greater than 200°F at 9 psig
with ambient air temperatures of 10 to 40°F.
           NORTHWAY, ALASKA AERATED LAGOON PERFORMANCE

Northway,  Alaska is located in Interior Alaska near the Canadian border.
The  coldest  temperature in the United States has been recorded at North-
way, which is  -82°F.

The  Northway lagoon is a bentonite-lined wood crib structure 42 feet
by 54  feet by  7 1/2 feet operating depth.  It has a longitudinal baffle,
splitting  it in two cells, 21 feet wide.  Operation started during
September  1965.  Perforated plastic aeration tubing provides aeration
and  mixing with the spacing being according to the manufacturer's
recommendations.

The  Northway lagoon raw sewage averages approximately 240 mg/1 BOD.
Feed temperatures vary between 2°C and 25°C.  The BOD removals at
Northway do  not vary significantly for summer or winter figures, with
an average removal of 77% in the first cell and a total of 85% removal.
According  to the Site Manager (26), tube clogging has been a major
problem, and the use of HC1 (aqueous) has not been very effective.  The
Northway lagoon started out as a 30 day detention system but a decreasing
population has reduced the load to the present 60 to 70 day detention
system.

In June 1967 sludge core samples were examined and appeared to be
preserved  exactly as deposited.  However, in August 1967 and May 1968,
bottom samples had a definite black appearance and the physical
characteristics of partially digested sludge.  Significant methane
production occurred during the summer of 1967.  The maximum depth
of bottom  sludge did not increase, but its location shifted between
the  August 1967 and May 1968 sample dates.  This shifting.seems to
.indicate that  gas production resuspends bottom sludge and thus
assists in providing aerobic and anaerobic digestion.

The  mixing action of aerated lagoons allows the sludge zone temper-
ature  to rise  above 12°C during the months of June, July, and August
and  part of  September in Interior Alaska.  Maximum bottom temperatures

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 recorded  at Northway were  19°C.   Samples  taken during March 1970 at
 Northway  indicate  a sludge.accumulation of approximately 6 inches in
-the  first cell  and approximately  3  inches in  the second cell.  For
 4  1/2 years,  this  indicates an accumulation rate of 1 inch per year,
 or approximately 9 cu  ft per  1000 people  per  day.  This is less than
 observed  rates  for most stabilization ponds.  It is difficult to pre-
 dict what the  long range accumulation and comparison will be.  However,
 since the system is essentially a eutrophic lake, one would expect
 continued and  accelerated  bottom  deposit  build-up.

 A  Northway bottom  sludge core sample taken in March 1970 from the
 first cell  was  sectioned and  analyzed for fecal indicator bacteria.
 The  9 in.  core  was cut in  three sections  as follows:  0-3 inches
 bottom; 3-8 inches mid; and 8-9 inches top layer.
                          Organism  Density

                 MPN counts on a per wet gram basis

                                 No. of organisms x 10'
      Presumptive Total Coliform
      Confirmed Total Col i form
      Fecal  Col iform
      Presumptive Enterococci
      Confirmed Enterococci
                                 Top    Mid   Bottom
 4,
 3.
 2.
13
13
 49
 13
  4.
221
221
 22.
 13
  3.
172
172
1
 It  appears  that the sludge located deeper in the core has a more
 favorable environment for preservation of fecal organisms.  These
 bottom  cores represent a stable bottom uninfluenced by resuspension
 dating  from mid-September 1969 or 7 months of low temperature.  The
 sludge  temperature was less than 1°C and only one of four cores from
 the first cell at Northway had a pH less than 7.0.

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                             GENERAL ALASKA

                        AERATED LAGOON EXPERIENCE
 Aerated lagoons  started in Alaska with  the  successful  operation  of  a
 small  unit at Eielson  Air Force Base specifically placed  in  operation
 for research purposes  in 1964.   Reid (19,20)  studied  the  small lagoon
 located at EAFB  and reported BOD removal  efficiencies  of  68-90%  and
 solids removal  efficiencies of  67-68% for winter operation,  with
 primary settled  sewage loadings of 68-200 IDS of BOD  per  acre  per
 day (0.4 to 3.1  Ibs applied BOD per 1000  cu ft per day).   He found
 that loading rates between-0.4  and 2.4  Ibs  applied BOD per 1000  cu
 ft per day gave  efficiencies of 60-80%  BOD  removal.   The  system  was
 initially a single cell system  with a depth of 4.4 feet and  a  surface
 area of 0.13 acres; later this  was changed  to a  two  cell  system.
 If we  assume that the  data presented by Reid  (19,20)  are  for treatment
 of raw sewage,  expected winter  efficiencies should range  between 58%
 at 6 days and 78% at 37 days.

 There  are 17 aerated lagoons in Alaska  at the moment.   All but one
 .use the perforated tubing for  aeration .and mixing.   Their locations
 are shown on Figure 3  and listed below.

 No. on Map     •            Location          Operating Agency

      1          Amchitka                       AEC
      2          Annette Island                  FAA
   •   3          Bethel                      .  FAA
      4          N. Kenai              •       .Big Bear Oil  Refinery
      5          Cold Bay                   •    FAA
      6          Cordova                        FAA
      7          Security Squad  (Elmendorf AFB) AAC
      8          Eielsbn AFB                    AAC-FWQA
      9          Fire Island (Anchorage)        FAA
     10          Fort Greely                    U.S. Army
     11          King Salmon                    AAC
     12       '   McGrath              •          FAA
     13          Northway                     . FAA
     14          Prudhoe Bay                    Private Construction
     15          Scenic Park (Anchorage)        Public
     16          Wildwood (Kenai)             .  AAC
     17        .  Yakutat                        FAA
The Alaska Water Laboratory has obtained information for seven of the
aerated lagoons, which serve mainly military and FAA sites,  located

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                                                                      FIGURE 3 ..



                                                                 LOCATIONS OF ALASKA



                                                                   AERATED LAGOONS

           -20
           S\tT$
         <£/t>^0

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at Northway, McGrath, Cold Bay, Bethel, Fort Greely, Eielson Research
Facility, and Fire Island.  Perforated tubing was used in all  cases.
Performance data to establish the efficiency of these lagoons  are
very limited, but basically they have shown good results in the first
year or so of operation.

Methods and materials of construction related to frost-heave and ice
action have presented problems (26,17).  Construction in permafrost '
should be given special consideration.  The Bethel lagoon was  constructed
in permafrost and melted a large ice lens under one of the retaining
embankments (17). The Northv/ay lagoon was constructed with vertical •
3 inch wood plank walls in a permafrost area.  Frost action has started
to jack the long walls out of the ground and system failure is eminent
(26).  Its bentonitre lining has proven satisfactory.

A PVC lining was used to seal the Fire Island lagoon.  Its upper half
has been protected by layers of hand laid rocks.  No problems  have
been reported (18)                .               .

The Fort Greely lagoon had vertical wood partitions which were jacked
up during filling in freezing weather (25).  This action also  destroyed
the integrity of the plastic membrane liner on the bottom.  An earthen
embankment should also be considered an area of trouble unless there
is proper selection of materials.

The clogging of perforated tube diffuser systems with resultant com-
pressor problems seems to be a general problem (26,18,17).  As clogging
progresses, efficiency reduction occurs.

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                              FORT YUKON

                    FACULTATIVE LAGOON PERFORMANCE
Fort Yukon, Alaska is located North of the Arctic Circle and has a
continental climate.  Although the recorded extremes do not match
Northway for  low or  Fairbanks for high, the average annual temperature
is lower than either Fairbanks or Northway and the probability of
extended cold periods is greater.

The Fort Yukon facultative lagoon came into existence in 1957 under •
an experimental classification.  Although it has an experimental
classification, very little actual operating data have been collected.
The Alaska Water Laboratory has initiated a study to obtain perform-
ance data for an annual cycle of operation.  Results from the first
field trip are presented in Figure 4 and Table 2.

The contributing population equivalent of 63 people provides a loading
of 124 people per acre and is calculated as follows:

            Fraction day  No.of people  Fraction yr    Pop. Eg.
  Student
Population      1/2           200       180/365     =    50
Adult/Winter     1             15       270/365     =    11
Adult/Summer     1         •   - 6        95/365     =    J^
                                                         63 total
                                                            people
     Average  annual  sludge accumulation = 15,900 cu ft = 18 cu ft
                                           63 people      person
                                           14 years        year

     Lagoon size: 125'xl25'x8' deep; 3:1 slopes

     Winter surface  loading: (125+24)(125+24) = 22, 200 sq ft

                           22,200 =0.51 acres
                           43,500
     Winter loading: 63	= 124 people; say 100-150
                     0.51      acre

£_
The lagoon at Fort Yukon had an operating water depth of 8 feet in
March 1970.   Conversations with maintenance people at the school
indicate that the lagoon depth decreases through the summer when there
is no loading.  The  lagoon does not have an effluent, so performance
figures have  little  meaning.  The approach taken with this "leaky"
lagoon has worked ,?t-Fort Yukon, as evidenced by tHe_1ack of concern
by Fort Yukon residents about the lagoo'ri existing within tneir community'.

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Shi.
No.
    COD
            BOD
   {

Solids
                                     V'ol.
-iQ u'\cl
               87
      198
                                            7.03
    L
                 571
                                              7.13
                                                 7.7,3
                 17
                         IskTj
                                             7. JO
L
             /oo
                                    35 ^
                     12. "
7.02.
                                                 7.09
                          FIGURE 4


           BOTTOM SLUDGE DEPTH PROFILE (in incSv

           FORT YUKON LAGOON
                 ., 1970

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                               TABLE 2


                 ENTERIC INDICATOR BACTERIA IN SLUDGE

                 FORT YUKON SEWAGE STABILIZATION POND


           Counts obtained per gram of sludge by MPN method

                     Sample Location (See Figure 4)

                                   1            2          4
Presumptive Total Coliforms*  1,300,000/gm  22,100/gm  7,900/gm
Confirmed Total Coliforms*      490,000     10,900     7,900
-Fecal Coliforms*                130,000      1,720     4,900
Presumptive Enterococci*            700.       240       240
Confirmed Enterococci*              310         33        49

Clostridia**                . _  5.3xl05      4.5xl04   6.3xl04

                  No Salmonella found in the samples**.
*Dr. R. Gordon, Research Microbiologist, Alaska Water Laboratory,
 provided these analytical results.

**Mr. L. Miller, Chief, Bacteriology Section, Arctic Health Research
   Center, provided these analytical results.

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                         CONCLUSIONS
Aerated Lagoons
Aerated lagoons, when, properly designed, are simple,  reasonably  efficient
waste treatment systems suitable for small  communities.   Aerated Lagoons,
unlike facultative lagoons, do not require  large surface  areas,  have
odor problems, or have a high level of bottom sludge  accumulation.
Experienced operators are not required, as  a properly designed system
is extremely simple to operate.

With large exposed areas, ice will form to  depths of  greater than 4 feet
on aerated lagoons.  Spring thermal expansion of ice  layers  may  create
considerable strain on embankments, especially vertical walls.

Utilizing gross bubble air diffuser systems, BOD removals of 80% to
greater than 90% are feasible during the winter, depending on the
number of system cells in series, individual cell detention  time, and
total system detention time.  With perforated tubing  (restricted)
diffusers, BOD removals of 70 to 85% are to be expected depending on
system configuration, detention time, and age of the  aeration system.
BOD removals greater than 86 to 88% are not feasible  during  the  summer
because of the algae load.  When a restricted (partially  clogged)
aerator was used, the BOD removal efficiency was observed to drop as
the lagoons age.  The maintenance and clogging problems encountered
with the restricted aeration system have not been found with the open
type.

Provision of a system with a treatment efficiency (BOD removal)  greater
than 80% greatly increases the project's first cost (construction)  but
does not significantly increase operating costs.

Two lobe, positive displacement compressors will provide  satisfactory
performance without being enclosed in a heated building.   High
operating pressures greatly increase compressor maintenance  problems.
At 9 to 13 psig (clogged aeration system),  discharge  temperatures are
over 200°F; at 5 to 6 psig, discharge temperatures are less  than 90°F
when outdoor ambient temperatures are 10-40°F.

Aerated lagoons are not efficient nutrient removal systems.   On  an
annual basis, phosphates are removed during the summer and released
during the winter, causing an apparent winter increase,  but  the
annual net removal is essentially zero.  Total nitrogen  removals v/ere
approximately 30 % in the summer and 0% in the winter.

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Facultative Lagoons
There are four important considerations .in the design and use of
anaerobic and facultative lagoons for v/aste treatment.

Public Health Implications:  Anaerobic and facultative lagoons are
a definite improvement over disposal to the street, back yards, •
or an outdoor privy.  The application of these systems to waste
disposal in remote villages, where a source of reasonably priced
power supply is unavailable, should be given serious consideration.
Bottom sludge definitely accumulates faster than it is stabilized,
so the system will have to eventually be abandoned.  The question
then becomes one of "how much public health hazard does an abandoned
sewage lagoon create?"  Deep, lightly loaded lagoons will have many
years of service.  Information on the degree of winter removal of
coliforms is extremely scarce; however, there does appear to be a
significant reduction.  Pathogenic organisms have been isolated from
early expeditions and camps in the Antarctic and Arctic, indicating
long survival under refrigerated conditions.

Nuisance Potential: Anaerobic and facultative lagoons should always
be located downwind (prevailing) and at least 1/4 mile from the nearest
inhabitants.  An obvious and reasonably reliable means for minimizing
odor production is the utilization of a design loading of 20 Ibs BOD
per acre per day or less.  However, Alberta and the Northwest Terri-
tories have had reasonable success in minimizing odor production
through utilization of deep primary cells loaded at high rates (1  to
4 day detention), followed by long detention time cells in series.
The reasons why a short detention primary cell usually will not pro-
duce large amounts of odor are not clear.  It is undoubtedly a
combination of factors, two of which may be high flow rates in the
overlying liquids and the concentration of potential odor production
in a small area.

System Loading and Process Efficiency Requirements:  The evidence  for
utilizing anaerobic and facultative lagoon design loads of less than
50 Ibs BOD per day per acre is overwhelming.  However, the favorable
experience with several cells in series and utilization of a short
detention time (1 to 4 days) deep primary cell is reasonably well
documented, and should not be overlooked.  Winter BOD removal rates
of 80-90%"are not feasible; therefore, serious consideration must  be
given to winter storage with summer treatment in a shallow lagoon,
where a two cell system is feasible.

System Configuration and Construction:  The influence of ice cover,
frost-heave, and depth must be carefully considered in the physical

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design of lagoons for an extremely cold climate.   Influent, cross-over,
and effluent lines should be submerged, with  the  influent  line centrally
located.  Canadian experience indicates that  deep lagoons  are prefer-
able; however, the question exists, "what influence  does the increase
in depth have in the formation of a strong thermocline?"   Extreme
care must be exercised in application of lagoons  in  permafrost areas,
where ice-rich soil may exist.

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                               REFERENCES
 1.   Anonymous,  "Sewage Stabilization  Ponds  in Mi=nesota", Minnesota
     Department  of Health, Division  of Environmental Sanitation,
     Section of  Water Pollution Control  (March 1963).
                                                         /
 2.   Alter, Amos J.,  "Sewerage and sewage  Disposal  in Cold Regions",
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 3.   Anderegg, J.A.,  C.F. Walters, D.  Milliard,  and H.F. Myers,
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 4.   Anderegg, J.A.,  C.F. Walters, B.  Milliard,  and H.F. Myers,
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 7.   Dawson, R.N., "Lagoon Sewage Treatment  in the  Mackenzie District,
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 8.   Dawson, Robert and John W. Grainge, "Proposed  Design Criteria for
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  t>
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10.   Gellman, Isaiah  and Herbert F.  Burger,  "Waste  Stabilization Pond
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     Quality Improvement, University of Texas Press.

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11.  Ginner, Gary F.,  Section! of Sewage Works, Pollution Control
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12.  Grainage, J.W., Public Health Engineering Division, Department
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13.  Higo, T.T., "A Study of the Operation of Sev/age Ponds  in the
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14.  McKinney, Ross E. and Henry H. Benjes, Jr., "Design and Operation
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15.  McKinney, Ross E. and Howard Edde, "Aerated Lagoon  for Suburban
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16.  O'Connor, Donald  J. and VI. Wesley Eckenfelder,  "Treatment of
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17.  Olson, Marvin, Federal Aviation Administration, Alaska Region,
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18.  Pohl, Edward, Chief, Sanitary Design Section,  Alaska District
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19.  Reid, Leroy C., Jr., "Design and Operation Consideration for
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20.  Reid, Leroy C., Jr., "The Aerated Sewage Lagoon in  Arctic Alaska",
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21.  Reid, Leroy C., Jr.and Barrett E. Benson, "Aerated  Sewage Lagoons
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     (September 15, 1966).

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  22.   Rubal ,  John and Danny  R. Gray, "Stabilization Pond Operation",
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  23.   Rupke,  J.W.G. , "Report on the Application of Aerohydraulic Guns
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       Ontario",  Division of  Research,  Ontario Water Resources
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  24.   Sawyer, Claire N., "New Concepts in Aerated Lagoon Design and
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  25.   Scarborough,  Thomas, Corps of Engineers, Fairbanks, Alaska,
       personal communications (April 1970).

  26.   Schultz, Patrick, Site Manager,  Northway Federal Aviation Station,
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—27-,-   Sparling,  A.B., "Winter Operation of Sewage Lagoons in Manitoba",
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  28.   Stewart, E.,  Plant Engineer, Public Works and Engineering Depart-
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  29.   Svore,  Germone H., "Waste Stabilization Pond Practices in the
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 ;30.   Townsend,  Allan R., Sebree Unsal, and Boris L. Boyko, "Aerated
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  31.   Van Heuvelen, W., Chief, Environmental Health and Engineering
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       personal communications (February 6, 1969).

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