U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATI
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Research and Development
Cincinnati Water Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio
OCTOBER 1968
SOIL RESPONSE TO SEWAGE EFFLUENT IRRIGATION
This paper summarizes present knowledge of
the treatment of wastewater by application to the
soil surface. Brief sections on the present use and
design of soil systems and wastewater quality are
followed by a discussion of the interactions which
result from the application of wastewater to a soil'
plant ecosystem. The discussions are limited to the
response of the soil and the effect on the soil water
from irrigation with sewage treatment plant effluent.
Many industrial and most domestic wastewaters
are suitable for irrigation use under good manage-
ment practices. Wastewater can cause beneficial or
detrimental changes in physical and chemical prop-
erties of soil. Proper management and system
design can accentuate the beneficial effects. Waste-
waters receive treatment as they percolate through
soil, and the resulting soil percolate may be suitable
for many reuse applications.
Thomas, R. E. and Law, J. P., Jr., Soil Response to
Sewage Effluent Irrigation, presented at the Symposium
on the Use of Sewage Effluent for Irrigation held at
Louisiana Polytechnic Institute, Ruston, Louisiana, July
30, 1968.
(This reprint may be obtained from the Robert S. Kerr
Water Research Center, Ada, Oklahoma 74820 )
SLUDGE HANDLING AND DISPOSAL
This report discusses in detail the broad subject
of water and wastewater sludge handling and dis-
posal. Sludge handling and disposal procedures are
reviewed and evaluated by discussing methods,
materials and equipment used today and in the
past. Thus, the report provides an information base
and suggestions for new approaches to the sludge
treatment art for use by researchers, design engin-
eers, and operators of treatment facilities.
The material is presented in the same sequence
as solids processing steps used at treatment plants.
The text begins with the grit chamber and ends
with ultimate sludge disposal.
A major conclusion from the report is: addi-
tional support should be given to the research and
development of better ways to treat the solid
portion of wastewaters, after separation from the
liquid.
Eight other major conclusions of the report are:
(1) Standardized accounting and reporting pro-
cedures are needed, (2) sludge handling and dis-
posal should be integrated into the total wastewater
treatment system, (3) wastewater sludge disposal
could be considered as a part of total solids-disposal
system that includes refuse and other solid wastes,
(4) incineration is a promising ultimate disposal
technique, (5) mechanical dewatering systems are
replacing n ore primitive dewatering systems, (6)
there is a trend to ocean disposal of sludge by
coastal or near-coastal cities, (7) raw sludge hand-
ling is becoming more popular, and (8) the cost
of ultimate sludge disposal for most installations
ranges from $5 to $55 per ton of dry solids.
Burd, R. S., A Study of Sludge Handling and Disposal,
U. S. Department of the Interior, FWPCA Publication
WP-20-4, May 1968, 326 pp.
SUMMARY REPORT-ADVANCED WASTE TREATMENT
This report summarizes results of advanced
waste-treatment studies from July 1964 to July
1967. Under a combined program of contract and
intramural research, a wide range of wastewater-
treatment processes has been evaluated for tech-
nical and economic feasibility at stages of develop-
ment from laboratory-scale through pilot-scale.
These treatment methods include processes for
suspended solids removal, organic removal, inor-
ganic removal, nutrient removal, and ultimate dis-
posal of concentrated end products. Since it is
obvious that the efficiency of the conventional bio-
logical processes greatly affect some of the advanced
processes, studies of certain aspects of the biological
processes have become a part of advanced waste-
treatment research.
An assessment of feasibility and economic fac-
tors for various other processes in a 10-mgd plant
is presented. The cost for alum clarification is esti-
mated at 8 cents/1,000 gal.; granular carbon treat-
ment without clarification of the feed, 8 cents/1,000
gal.; powdered carbon treatment using reactivated
carbon, 12 cents/1,000 gal.; electrodialysis treat-
ment, 16 cents/1,000 gal.
Study of a number of processes given prelimi-
nary evaluation has been halted, at least for the
present. Electrochemical treatment appears to be
economically unfavorable. The foaming process,
although technically feasible for removal of certain
soluble and suspended organic materials, and while

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economically promising, has not been generally
necessary since the introduction of biodegradable
anionic detergents in 1965. Solvent extraction, dis-
tillation, and freezing also have encountered a
number of problems that limit their usefulness.
Summary Report — Advanced Waste Treatment, July
1964-July 1967, U. S. Department of the Interior, FWPCA
Publication WP-20-AWTR-19, 1968. 96 pp.
AERATED LAGOON TREATMENT OF
FOOD PROCESSING WASTES
A study was undertaken to develop design cri-
teria for aerated lagoons by evaluating full-scale
plant treatment of wastes from the processing of
frozen peas in Northwest Washington. Typical
operation encountered difficulties with foaming and
development of filamentous floe. Recommendations,
are given for design and operation to optimize
treatment by this type of system.
Dostal, K. A.. Progress Report on Aerated Lagoon Treat-
ment of Food Processing Wastes, PR-5, Pacific Northwest
Water Laboratory, FWPCA, Corvallis, Oregon, March 1968.
(This report may be obtained from the Pacific Northwest
Water Laboratory, Corvallis, Oregon 97330.)
AERATED LAGOON EVALUATION
This report presents the results of a two-day
survey on the waste characteristics and treatment
efficiency of the aerated lagoon — polishing pond
waste treatment system at the Bureau of Indian
Affairs Chemawa Indian School. The report dis-
cusses also the theoretical aspects of the biological
treatment system and related design parameters.
Clark, B. D. and Dostal, K. A., Evaluation of Waste Treat-
ment System, Chemawa Indian School, FR-6, Pacific
Northwest Water Laboratory, FWPCA, Corvallis, Oregon,
July 1968.
(This report may be obtained from the Pacific Northwest
Water Laboratory, Corvallis, Oregon 97330.)
DISPOSAL OF GLUE WASTES
In the States of Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
Montana, and California, 158 plywood plants gen-
erate an estimated 6.2 million gallons of waste per
day from the cleanup of glue-mixing equipment and
glue spreaders. The waste is toxic and high in
pollutional strength. Treatment of these glue
wastes varies from plant to plant but generally
consists only of solids separation or the removal
of suspended matter. Further investigations are
underway to determine which treatment methods
will solve the pollution problems caused by the dis-
charge of these wastes.
Bodien, D. G„ Plywood Plant Glue Wastes Disposal:
Progress Report PR-2, Pacific Northwest Water Labora-
tory, FWPCA, Corvallis, Oregon, February 1968.
(This report may be obtained from the Pacific Northwest
Water Laboratory, Corvallis, Oregon 97330.)
HOUSEBOAT WASTE COLLECTION AND TREATMENT
Methods of collection and treatment for house-
boat and moorage wastewaters are reviewed. Sev-
eral methods using alternative materials are con-
sidered and approximate installed costs are given.
Emphasis is placed upon the solution of the prob-
lem in the State of Oregon but the information
developed is applicable in adjacent states and else-
where when appropriate adjustments are made.
Clark, B. D., Houseboat Wastes: Methods for Collection
and Treatment, FR-2, Pacific Northwest Water Labora-
tory, FWPCA, Corvallis, Oregon, June 1967.
(This report may be obtained from the Pacific Northwest
Water Laboratory, Corvallis, Oregon 97330.)
WASHINGTON'S COASTAL AND ESTUARINE
WATERS-BIBLIOGRAPHY
Indexed herein are references to literature per-
taining to marine waters of the State of Washing-
ton and Puget Sound. References to these papers,
most of which have been published since 1955, are
indexed under one or more of the following head-
ings: Marine Biology; Fisheries; Geology; Chemical
and Physical Oceanography; Water Pollution; and
Bibliographies, Literature Surveys and Compi-
lations.
Ditsworth, G. R., Environmental Factors in Coastal and
Estuarine Waters — Bibliographic Series. Volume II.
Coast of Washington, National Coastal Pollution Research
Program, Pacific Northwest Water Laboratory, FWPCA,
Corvallis, Oregon.
(This report may be obtained from the Pacific Northwest
Water Laboratory, Corvallis, Oregon 97330.)
GROWTH AND METABOLISM OF FUNGI
The continuing recovery of fungus spores and
cells from digestion sludge and other microaero-
philic habitats led to the initiation of study to
determine whether or not these fungi could be
active under conditions of complete anaerobiosis.
It was thought that the knowledge of specific re-
quirements for oxygen and tolerance to high N,
levels, might be useful in the problem of more
advantageous utilization of the metabolic capacities
of fungi during waste and sewage treatment.
Strains of 13 species of fungi isolated in rela-
tively large numbers from sewage sludges, polluted
waters, organically enriched soils and similar habi-
tats were incubated under 100% pre-purified nitro-
gen gas in liquid culture with the reductant sodium
formaldehyde sulfoxylate. Incubation was carried
out in 25-ml conical flasks in Case "anaero" jars.
Growth and removal of carbon from the medium
were measured at weekly intervals by oven dry
weight determinations on cell crops collected on
membrane filters, and with a Beckman carbon
analyzer.
Except for Geotrichum candidum, Fusarium
oxysporum and F. solani, all strains used demon-
strated a definite requirement for vitamins under
the anaerobic or microaerophilic conditions of the
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test. Greatest amount of growth activity was
demonstrated by Geotrichum candidum, Fusarium
oxysporum, F. solani and Mucor hiemalis. The
fungi most sensitive to a 100% nitrogen gas atmos-
phere were Phoma herbarum, Rhodotorula mucila-
ginosa and Candida parapsilosis. Intermediate spe-
cies included: Aspergillus niger, A. jumigatus,
Aureobasidium pullulans, Phialophora jeanselmei,
Penicillium oxalicum and P. brevicompactum (used
in combination), and Trichoderma viride, in de-
scending order.
It was shown that strains of those fungi tested
are able to metabolize organic substances and pro-
duce cell tissue under the conditions of the experi-
ment and that, therefore, they may be carrying
out similar activities in microaerophilic or even
anaerobic conditions in sewage treatment systems
and similar habitats.
Tabak, H. H. and Cooke, W. B., "Growth and Metabolism
of Fungi in an Atmosphere of Nitrogen," Mycologia, I.X,
115-140, January-February 1968.
CHEMICAL FEED PREDICTIONS
Experimental results have indicated that small
pilot filters of various media types can be used to
predict optimum chemical dosages for clarification
of a water supply. Pilot filter media must be of
the same type and makeup as the full-scale filters
in order to obtain these results with the raw-water
source. Initial procedures involve the determina-
tion of the minimum coagulant dose required to
maintain desired effluent quality throughout a filter
run terminated by maximum head loss develop-
ment. By indirect determination, pore velocity in
the clogged filter can be measured and the pilot
filter operated at high hydraulic rates to simulate
these conditions. If floe strength is sufficient to
produce the desired effluent quality under these
conditions, the dosage is considered sufficient and
nearly optimum for full-scale use. If it is not,
required filter-aid dosage may be determined via
the small experimental filter.
Kreissl, J. F., Robeck, G. G., and Sommerville, G. A., "Use
of Pilot Filters to Predict Optimum Chemical Feeds,"
Journal American Water Works Association, 60, 299-314,
March 1968
PILOT STUDY OF DYNAMICS OF RESERVOIR
DESTRATIFICATION
This report presents the results of a study of
the dynamics of destratification on a large reservoir
by utilizing a compressed air diffusor system. The
work reported was conducted during the summer
and early fall of 1967 at Eufaula Reservoir, located
in eastern Oklahoma. The system used consisted of
two diesel-powered, rota-screw-type, barge-mounted
air compressors, rated to deliver 150 cfm free air at
100 psig. Air was discharged through a cross-
shaped diffusor system located near the bottom of
the reservoir at a depth of 73 feet. The diffusor
assembly consisted of four 20-foot legs, each with
four microporous porcelain-type diffusor stones
which were spaced 3 feet apart along the outermost
9 feet of each leg. The system was undersized for
circulating the entire volume of the central pool;
yet 65,000 acre-feet of water was aerated by the
end of the 25-day operation. Aeration effects ex-
tended as far as 2.5 miles from the point where
the system was installed, covering an area of ap-
proximately 3,000 acres.
Leach, L. E., Duffer, W. R., and Harlin. C. C., Pilot Study
of Dynamics o/ Reservoir Destratification, Robert S. Kerr
Water Research Center, FWPCA, Ada, Oklahoma, 1968.
(Tkis report may be obtained from the Robert S. Kerr
Water Research Center, Ada, Oklahoma 74820.)
FATE OF DDT AND NITRATE IN GROUND WATER
An irrigation well in the Ogallala Aquifer near
Bushland, Texas, was recharged for 10 days with
348 gallons per minute of water containing a tritium
tracer, nitrates, and DDT. The well was then
pumped for 12 days at 504 gallons per minute. Ob-
servation wells and the recharge-pumping well were
monitored throughout these periods for tracer and
pollutants.
The nitrate moved through the fine sand aquifer
essentially the same as the tracer. The DDT was
apparently absorbed on the aquifer material be-
tween the recharge and the nearest observation
well.
Upon pumping the recharge well, the initial
DDT concentration in the pumped water was over
16 times the recharge concentration. Ninety-four
percent of both the tritium and the nitrates was re-
covered during the pumping period.
Scalf, M. R., Hauser, V. L., McMillion, L. G., Dunlap,
W. J., and Keeley, J. W., Fate of DDT and Nitrate in
Ground Water, Robert S. Kerr Water Research Center,
FWPCA, Ada, Oklahoma and Southwestern Great Plains
Research Center, USDA, Bushland, Texas, 1968.
(This report may be obtained from the Robert S. Kerr
Water Research Center, Ada, Oklahoma 74820.)
SAMPLING EQUIPMENT FOR GROUND-WATER
INVESTIGATIONS
Portable pumping equipment for sampling of
wells, described by written text, photographs, and
a detailed drawing, has been constructed by the
Robert S. Kerr Water Research Center.
The equipment can sample to depths of 300
feet at pumping rates ranging between 7 and 14
gallons per minute, with rate variation dependent
upon sampling depth.
The unit is convenient in size and easy to oper-
ate because only one line has to be handled during
its operation. This is a wire-reinforced rubber
hose that supports the submersible pump, contains
the electrical cable, and conveys water.
McMillion, L. G. and Kelley, J. W., Sampling Equipment
for Ground-Water Investigations, Robert S. Kerr Water
Research Center, FWPCA, Ada, Oklahoma, 1968.
(This reprint may be obtained from the Robert S. Kerr
Water Research Center, Ada, Oklahoma 74820.)
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
CINCINNATI WATER RESEARCH LABORATORY
4676 COLUMBIA PARKWAY
CINCINNATI, OHIO 45226
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