Warsaw Discusses Treatment Plant Upgrades
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Dave Henderson, department head of Warsaw's wastewater treatment plants, and Brian Houghton, environmental engineer, held their second meeting of the month Wednesday in city hall regarding possible improvements to Warsaw's combined sewer overflow system.
Houghton discussed long-term plans to further minimize overflow events for the Warsaw area. No overflows have been reported in two years; however Houghton said that few large rainfalls have taken place in this time period. Both Henderson and Houghton said they wanted to prevent as much overflow as possible in the event of heavy rains.
The older of Warsaw's wastewater plants runs approximately 1 million gallons of water through its system per day, with the ability to run 5-1/2 to 6 million gallons per day. During a heavy rainfall situation, Houghton estimated that 6 million gallons per day would run through the sewer system, potentially causing overflow problems.
Warsaw's newer plant on CR 150W, was not part of the overflow discussions.
During times of overflow, untreated sewage water could be released into Walnut Creek, though the wastewater would be greatly diluted by the majority of rainwater running through the system.
Preventative alternatives discussed by Houghton to improve the current system included partial or complete separation inside the sewer grid. This operation would consist of removing and replacing older or troublesome pipes Houghton said this option could be time consuming and would cost the city approximately $2 million.
Another improvement included the raising of a weir inside the current overflow tank. The weir, a wall inside the overflow tank, limits the amount of water allowed into Walnut Creek, and the raising of this wall could reduce even more Walnut Creek runoff.
"By raising the weir, we'd save alot of money in operation costs, but then we'd have to investigate whether or not this would back up the system," Houghton said. "If we find this will back up water into people's basements, then we'll have to rule it out."
Other preventative measures included partial to full capture of overflow and swirl-catch basins.
Houghton and Henderson will be drafting a proposal for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on what can be done to improve Warsaw's sewer system. IDEM no longer will accept that no action be taken to Warsaw's sewer system.
The next wastewater works meeting regarding the CSO issue is scheduled for Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall. Houghton and Henderson will discuss cost estimates for each operation discussed during the previous meetings. [[In-content Ad]]
Dave Henderson, department head of Warsaw's wastewater treatment plants, and Brian Houghton, environmental engineer, held their second meeting of the month Wednesday in city hall regarding possible improvements to Warsaw's combined sewer overflow system.
Houghton discussed long-term plans to further minimize overflow events for the Warsaw area. No overflows have been reported in two years; however Houghton said that few large rainfalls have taken place in this time period. Both Henderson and Houghton said they wanted to prevent as much overflow as possible in the event of heavy rains.
The older of Warsaw's wastewater plants runs approximately 1 million gallons of water through its system per day, with the ability to run 5-1/2 to 6 million gallons per day. During a heavy rainfall situation, Houghton estimated that 6 million gallons per day would run through the sewer system, potentially causing overflow problems.
Warsaw's newer plant on CR 150W, was not part of the overflow discussions.
During times of overflow, untreated sewage water could be released into Walnut Creek, though the wastewater would be greatly diluted by the majority of rainwater running through the system.
Preventative alternatives discussed by Houghton to improve the current system included partial or complete separation inside the sewer grid. This operation would consist of removing and replacing older or troublesome pipes Houghton said this option could be time consuming and would cost the city approximately $2 million.
Another improvement included the raising of a weir inside the current overflow tank. The weir, a wall inside the overflow tank, limits the amount of water allowed into Walnut Creek, and the raising of this wall could reduce even more Walnut Creek runoff.
"By raising the weir, we'd save alot of money in operation costs, but then we'd have to investigate whether or not this would back up the system," Houghton said. "If we find this will back up water into people's basements, then we'll have to rule it out."
Other preventative measures included partial to full capture of overflow and swirl-catch basins.
Houghton and Henderson will be drafting a proposal for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management on what can be done to improve Warsaw's sewer system. IDEM no longer will accept that no action be taken to Warsaw's sewer system.
The next wastewater works meeting regarding the CSO issue is scheduled for Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall. Houghton and Henderson will discuss cost estimates for each operation discussed during the previous meetings. [[In-content Ad]]