xvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
                          Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet
                          Anaerobic Lagoons
DESCRIPTION
An anaerobic  lagoon is  a deep  impoundment,
essentially free of dissolved oxygen, that promotes
anaerobic conditions.   The process  typically  takes
place in deep earthen basins, and such ponds are used
as anaerobic pretreatment systems.

Anaerobic lagoons are not aerated, heated, or mixed.
The typical depth of an aerated lagoon is greater than
eight feet, with greater depths preferred. Such depths
minimize  the  effects of oxygen diffusion from the
surface, allowing  anaerobic conditions to prevail. In
this respect,  anaerobic lagoons are different from
shallower aerobic  or facultative lagoons, making the
process analogous to that experienced with a single-
stage  unheated  anaerobic  digester,  except that
anaerobic lagoons are in  an an open earthen basin.
Moreover,  conventional  digesters are typically used
for sludge stabilization in a treatment process, whereas
lagoons typically are used to pretreat raw wastewater.
Pretreatment  includes  separation  of settlable  solids,
digestion of solids, and treatment of the liquid portion.

Anaerobic lagoons are typically used for two major
purposes:

1) Pretreatment of high strength industrial wastewaters.

2) Pretreatment of  municipal wastewater to  allow
preliminary sedimentation of suspended  solids as  a
pretreatment process.

Anaerobic lagoons have been especially effective for
pretreatment  of high strength organic wastewaters.
Applications include industrial wastewaters and rural
communities that have  a significant organic load from
industrial sources.   Biochemical  oxygen demand
(BOD) removals up to 60 percent are possible. The
effluent cannot be discharged due to the high level of
anaerobic byproducts remaining. Anaerobic lagoons
                         are not applicable to many situations because of large
                         land   requirements,  sensitivity  to  environmental
                         conditions, and objectionable odors. Furthermore, the
                         anaerobic process may require long retention times,
                         especially in cold climates, as anaerobic bacteria are
                         uneffective  below  15°  C.   As a result, anaerobic
                         lagoons are not widely used for municipal wastewater
                         treatment in northern parts of the United States.

                         Process

                         An anaerobic lagoon  is a deep earthen basin with
                         sufficient volume to permit sedimentation of settlable
                         solids, to digest retained sludge, and to anaerobically
                         reduce some of the soluble organic substrate. Raw
                         wastewater enters near the bottom of the pond and
                         mixes with the active  microbial mass in the  sludge
                         blanket.  Anaerobic conditions prevail except for a
                         shallow surface layer in which excess undigested
                         grease  and scum  are concentrated.   Sometimes
                         aeration is provided at the surface to control  odors.
                         An impervious crust that retains heat and odors will
                         develop if  surface aeration is not provided.   The
                         discharge is located near  the  side opposite  of the
                         influent.  The effluent is not suitable for discharge to
                         receiving waters. Anaerobic lagoons are followed by
                         aerobic  or  facultative lagoons to provide  required
                         treatment.

                         The anaerobic lagoon is usually preceded  by a bar
                         screen  and can have a Parshall flume with  a flow
                         recorder to determine the  inflow to the lagoon.  A
                         cover can be provided to trap and collect the methane
                         gas produced in the process for use elsewhere, but this
                         is not a common practice.

                         Microbiology

                         Anaerobic microorganisms in the absence of dissolved
                         oxygen convert organic materials into stable products
                         such as carbon dioxide and methane. The degradation

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process involves two separate but interrelated phases:
acid formation and methane production.

During the acid phase, bacteria convert complex
organic compounds (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins)
to simple organic compounds, mainly  short-chain
volatile organic acids  (acetic, propionic,  and  lactic
acids). The anaerobic bacteria involved in this phase
are called "acid formers,"  and  are  classified  as
nonmethanogenic microorganisms.  During this phase,
little chemical  oxygen demand (COD) or biological
oxygen demand (BOD) reduction occurs, because the
short-chain fatty acids, alcohols, etc., can be used by
many microorganisms, and thereby exert  an oxygen
demand.

The  methane-production  phase  involves   an
intermediate step. First, bacteria convert the short-
chain  organic  acids to acetate, hydrogen gas, and
carbon dioxide. This intermediate process is referred
to as acetogenesis.  Subsequently, several species of
strictly   anaerobic   bacteria   (methanogenic
microorganisms) called "methane formers" convert the
acetate, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide into methane
gas (CFLJ through one of two major pathways.  This
process is referred to as methanogenesis. During this
phase, waste stabilization occurs,  represented by the
formation of methane gas. The two major pathways of
methane formation are:

1) The breakdown of acetic acid to form methane and
carbon dioxide:
       CH3COOH
2) The reduction of carbon dioxide by hydrogen gas
to form methane:
       CO2 + 4H2
Equilibrium

When the system is working properly, the two phases
of  degradation occur  simultaneously  in  dynamic
equilibrium.  That is, the volatile organic acids are
converted to methane at the same rate that they are
formed from the more complex organic molecules.
The growth rate and metabolism of the methanogenic
bacteria can be adversely affected by small fluctuations
in pH substrate concentrations, and temperature, but
the  performance of acid-forming bacteria is more
tolerant over a wide range of conditions.  When the
process is  stressed by shock loads or temperature
fluctuations, methane bacteria activity occurs more
slowly than the acid formers and an imbalance occurs.
Intermediate volatile organic acids accumulate and the
pH drops.  As a result, the methanogens are further
inhibited and the  process  eventually  fails  without
corrective action.  For this reason,  the methane-
formation phase is the rate-limiting step and must not
be inhibited. For the design of an anaerobic lagoon to
work, it must be based on the limiting characteristics of
these microorganisms.

Establishing and maintaining equilibrium

The system must operate at conditions favorable for the
performance  of methanogenic bacteria.    Ideally,
temperatures should be maintained within the range of
25 to 40 C. Anaerobic activity decreases rapidly at
temperatures below 15 C , when water temperature
drops below freezing, and biological activity virtually
ceases. The pH value should range from  6.6 to 7.6,
but  should not  drop  below  6.2  because methane
bacteria  cannot  function below this level.  Sudden
fluctuations of pH will inhibit lagoon performance.
Alkalinity should range from 1,000 to 5,000 mg/L.

Volatile acid concentration is an indicator of process
performance because  the  acids  are  converted  to
methane  at the same  rate that they are  formed if
equilibrium  is maintained. Volatile acid concentrations
will be low if the lagoon system is working properly.
As  a general rule, volatile acid concentrations should
be less than 250 mg/L.  Inhibition occurs at volatile
acid concentrations in excess of 2,000 mg/L.  Table 1
presents optimum  and extreme operating  ranges for
methane  formation. The rate of methane formation
drops  dramatically outside these extreme ranges.  In
addition to  adhering to the above guidelines, sufficient
nutrients such  as nitrogen and phosphorus must be
available.   Concentrations of inhibitory substances,
including  ammonia and  hydrogen when  a  high
concentration  of  sulfate   ions  are   present,  and

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  TABLE 1 IDEAL OPERATING RANGES
     FOR METHANE FERMENTATION
Parameter
Temp. ( C)
PH
Alkalinity (mg/L as
Optimum
30-35
6.6-7.6
2,000-3,000
Extreme
25-40
6.2-8.0
1,000-5,000
CaCO3)
Volatile acids (mg/L
as acetic acid)
50-500
2,000
Source: Andrews and Graef, 1970.

concentrations such as calcium, should be kept to a
minimum. Excessive concentrations of these inhibitors
produce toxic effects. Depending on its form, ammonia
can be toxic to the bacteria as well   as affect  its
concentration.  Concentration  of  free  ammonia  in
excess of 1,540 mg/L will result in severe toxicity, but
concentrations of ammonium ion must be greater than
3,000 mg/L to produce the same effect.  Maintaining a
pH of 7.2 or below will ensure that most ammonia will
be  in the  form of ammonium  ion,  so higher
concentrations can be tolerated with little effect. Table
2 provides  guidelines for acceptable ranges of other
inhibitory substances.

     TABLE 2 CONCENTRATIONS OF
        INHIBITORY SUBSTANCES
Substance
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfides
Moderately
Inhibitory (mg/L)
3,500-5,500
2,500-4,500
2,500-4,500
1,000-1,500
100-200
Strongly
Inhibitory mg/L)
8,000
12,000
8,000
3,000
>200
Source: WEF and ASCE (1992), reprinted from Parkin, G.F.
and Owen, W.F. (1986).
APPLICABILITY

Type of wastewater

Anaerobic lagoons are used for treatment of industrial
wastewaters,  mixtures   of  industrial/domestic
wastewaters with high organic loading, and as a first
stage in municipal lagoons.  Typical industries include
slaughterhouses,   dairies,  meat/poultry-processing
plants, rendering plants, and vegetable processing
facilities.
Typically, anaerobic lagoons are used in series with
aerobic or facultative lagoons, enhancing the operation
of both types  of lagoons as aerobic or facultative
lagoons providing further treatment of the effluent.
Initial treatment in an anaerobic lagoon often renders
the waste more amenable to further treatment and
reduces the  oxygen demand.

Anaerobic lagoons often are used in small or rural
communities where space is plentiful but costs are a
concern. Low construction and operating costs make
anaerobic lagoons a financially attractive alternative to
other treatment  systems,  although  sludge  must
occasionally be removed.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Some advantages and disadvantages of anaerobic
lagoons are  listed below:

Advantages

       More effective for rapid stabilization of strong
       organic wastes, making higher influent organic
       loading possible.

       Produce methane, which can be used to heat
       buildings, run engines, or generate electricity,
       but  methane collection increases operational
       problems.

       Produce  less biomass  per unit of organic
       material processed.  Less biomass produced
       equates to  savings in sludge handling and
       disposal costs.

       Do not require additional energy, because they
       are not aerated, heated, or mixed.

       Less expensive to construct and operate.

       Ponds can be operated in series.

Disadvantages

       Require a relatively large area of land.

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       Produce undesirable odors unless provisions
       are made to oxidize the escaping gases.  Gas
       production  must   be  minimized  (sulfate
       concentration must  be reduced to less than
       100  mg/L)  or mechanical  aeration at the
       surface  of the pond to oxidize the escaping
       gases is necessary. Aerators must be located
       to ensure that anaerobic activity is not inhibited
       by introducing dissolved oxygen to depths
       below the top 0.6 to 0.9 m (2 to 3 feet) of the
       anaerobic lagoon. Another option is to locate
       the lagoon in a remote area.

       Require a relatively long detention time for
       organic  stabilization due to the slow growth
       rate  of the methane  formers and  sludge
       digestion.

       Wastewater seepage into the groundwater may
       be a problem. Providing a liner for the lagoon
       can prevent this problem.

       Environmental  conditions   directly impact
       operations so any variance limits the ability to
       control the process, (e.g. lagoons are sensitive
       to temperature fluctuations).

DESIGN CRITERIA

The design of aerobic lagoons is not well defined and
a widely accepted overall design equation does not
exist. Numerous methods have been proposed, but the
results vary widely. Design is often based on organic
loading rates  and hydraulic detention times derived
from pilot plant studies and observations of existing
operating  systems.   States in which lagoons are
commonly used often have regulations governing their
design, installation, and management.  For example,
state regulations may require specific organic loading
rates, detention times, embankment slopes (1:3 to 1:4),
and maximum allowable seepage (1  to 6 mm/d).

Optimum  performance is based on many  factors,
including temperature and pH. Other important factors
to consider include:
Organic loading rate

Typical acceptable loading rates range between 0.04
and 0.30 kg/m3/d (2.5 to 18.7 Ib BOD5/103 ft3/d),
varying with water temperature.

Detention time

Typical detention times  range from 1  to 50 days,
depending on the temperature of the wastewater.

Lagoon dimensions

Because anaerobic lagoons require less surface area
than facultative lagoons since the oxygen transfer rate
is not a factor, their design should minimize the surface
area-to-volume ratio. Typical surface areas range from
0.2 to  0.8  hectares (0.5 to 2 acres).  The lagoon
should  be as deep as practicable, as greater depth
provides improved heat retention.  A depth of 2.4 to
6.0 m  (8 to 20 feet) can be used; however, depths
approaching 6.0 m (20 feet)  are recommended to
reduce the  surface area and to conserve heat in the
reactor (lagoon).  The lagoon should be designed to
reduce short circuiting  and  should incorporate  a
minimum freeboard of 0.9 m (3 feet).

Construction of lagoon bottom

Groundwater seepage may be a concern. The lagoon
should  be lined with an impermeable material such as
plastic, rubber, clay, or cement.

Control of surface runoff

Lagoons  should  not receive significant amounts of
surface runoff. If necessary, provision should be made
to divert surface water around the lagoon. Table 3
summarizes  general  design criteria  for  anaerobic
lagoons.

PERFORMANCE

System performance depends on loading conditions,
temperature conditions,  and  whether  the  pH  is
maintained within the optimum range.  Table 4 shows
expected   removal   efficiencies   for  municipal
wastewaters. In cold climates, detention times as great

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        TABLE 3  DESIGN CRITERIA
 Criteria
Range
 Optimum water
 temperature
 (C):
 PH
 Organic loading:
 Detention Time:

 Surface Area:
 Depth
30 - 35 degrees (Essentially
unattainable in municipal
systems)
6.6 to 7.6
0.04-0.30 kg/m3/d (2.5-18.7
lbs/103 ftVd ((temperature
dependent)
1 to 50 days (temperature
dependent)
0.2 to 0.8 hectares (0.5 to 2 acres)
2.4 to 6.0 meters (8 to 20 feet)
(depths approaching 6.0 meters
[20 feet] preferred)	
 Source: Metcalf & Eddy, Inc., 1991.
as 50 days and volumetric loading rates as low as 0.04
kg BOD5/m3/d (2.5 lbs/103 ft3/d) may be required to
achieve 50 percent reduction in BOD5. Table 4 shows
the relationship of temperature, detention time, and
BOD reduction. Effluent TSS will range between 80
and 160 mg/L.

The effluent is not suitable for direct  discharge  to
receiving  waters.  Lagoon contents that  are  black
indicate that the lagoon is functioning properly.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Operation and maintenance requirements of a lagoon
are  minimal.   A daily grab  sample of influent and
effluent should be taken and analyzed to ensure proper

   TABLE 4 FIVE-DAY BOD REDUCTION
   AS A FUNCTION  OF DETENTION TIME
            AND TEMPERATURE
Temperature
(deg. C)
10
10-15
15-20
20-25
25-30
Detention
time (d)
5
4-5
2-3
1-2
1-2
BOD
reduction (%)
50
30-40
40-50
40-60
60-80
 Source: World Health Organization, 1987.
operation. Aside from sampling, analysis, and general
upkeep, the  system  is  virtually maintenance-free.
Solids accumulate in the lagoon bottom and require
removal on an infrequent basis (5-10 years), depending
on the amount of inert material in the influent and the
temperature.   Sludge depth should  be determined
annually.   Table  1 depicts optimum and  extreme
operating ranges for methane formation. Rates outside
of these extreme ranges will  decrease the rate of
methane formation.

COSTS

The  primary  cost associated with constructing  an
anaerobic lagoon is the cost of the land, earthwork
appurtenances, required  service facilities,  and  the
excavation.    Costs for forming the embankment,
compacting, lining, service road and fencing, and piping
and pumps also need to be considered. Operating
costs and power requirements are minimal.

REFERENCES

Other Related Fact Sheets

Other EPA Fact Sheets can be found at the following
web address:

http ://www. epa. gov/owm/mtb/mtbfact.htm

1.     Andrews,  J.  F.,  and  S.P.  Graef, 1970.
       Dynamic  Modeling  and Simulation of  the
       Anaerobic Digestion Process. Advances in
       Chemistry, Vol.  105,  126-162. American
       Chemical Society, Washington D.C.

2.     Eckenfelder, W. W., 1989. Industrial Water
       Pollution Control, 2nd ed.,  McGraw-Hill,
       Inc., New York.

3.     Joint Task Force of the Water Environment
       Federation and the American Society of Civil
       Engineers, 1992.    Design  of Municipal
       Wastewater  Treatment Plants  Volume II:
       Chapters 13-20.  WEF Manual of Practice
       No.  8.    ASCE  Manual  and  Report   on
       Engineering Practice No. 76.   Alexandria,
       Virginia.

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4.     Liu, Liptak, and Bouis, 1997. Environmental
      Engineers' Handbook,  2nd ed.,  Lewis
      Publishers, New York.

5.     Metcalf& Eddy, Inc., 1991.  Wastewater
      Engineering:  Treatment, Disposal, Reuse,
      3rd ed., McGraw-Hill, New York.

6.     Parkin, G.F. and  Owen,  W.F., 1986.
      Fundamentals of Anaerobic Digestion of
      Wastewater   Sludge.   Journal   of
      Environmental Engineering, 112 (5).

7.     Peavy, Rowe and Tchobanoglous, 1985.
      Environmental Engineering. McGraw-Hill,
      Inc., New York.

8.     U.S. EPA, 1980. Innovative and Alternate
      Technology Assessment Manual. EPA/430/9-
      78-009. Cincinnati, Ohio.

9.     U.S. EPA, 1979. Municipal Environmental
      Research Laboratory Office of Research and
      Development. Process Design Manual for
      Sludge  Treatment  and Disposal.
      EPA625/1-79-011. Cincinnati, Ohio.

10.   World   Health   Organization,   1987.
      Wastewater Stabilization Ponds, Principles
      of Planning and Practice, WHO Technical
      Publication 10, Regional Office for the Eastern
      Mediterranean, Alexandria, Virginia.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Richard H. Bowman, P.E.
West Slope Supervisor
Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment
Water Quality Control Division
222 South 6th Street, Room 232
Grand Junction, CO 81502
E. Joe Middlebrooks, Ph.D., P.E., DEE
Environmental Engineering Consultant
360 Blackhawk Lane
Lafayette, CO 80026-9392

Gordon F. Pearson
Vice President
International Ecological Systems & Services, IESS
P.O. Box 21240
B-l Oak Park Plaza
Hilton Head, SC 29925

Sherwood Reed, Principal
Environmental Engineering Consultants (EEC)
50 Butternut Road
Norwich, VT 05055

The mention of trade names or commercial products
does not constitute endorsement or recommendation
for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

               Office of Water
             EPA 832-F-02-009
               September 2002
         For more information contact:

         Municipal Technology Branch
         US EPA
         1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
         Mail Code 4204M
         Washington, D.C.  20460
                   * 2002 if
                   THE YEAR OF
                  CUBAN WATER
Mohamed Dahab, Ph.D, P.E., DEE
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
W348 Nebraska Hall
Lincoln, NE 6588-0531
          1MTB
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