Improving aeration for better treatment
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Air is diffused into the wastewater. (Red lighting used for emphasis)
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Effective treatment of polluted water requires that
air be mixed with the water. Air provides an aerobic
environment and promotes the treatment of organic
matter. At the Metropolitan Syracuse Wastewater Treatment Plant, the aeration tanks:
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Supply the necessary oxygen to microbes to degrade organic pollutants
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Mix the wastewater so the microbes can contact the organic pollutants.
In 1998 the Onondaga County Department of Water Environment Protection (WEP) undertook a full upgrade to the
aeration treatment system at the plant. Workers have
installed new high-efficiency air diffusers, modern
air blowers, and new controls. Over five thousand
diffuser disks were installed in each aeration
tank. Eight tanks were retrofitted for the new sytem.
The project began in 1998 and cost $6.8 million.
This improvement in treatment has corresponded to lower levels of ammonia in Onondaga Lake, a benefit to water quality.
The new diffusers and controls are fully operational.
They are more efficient than the previous system in
transferring oxygen to the wastewater. They have
improved water quality and reduced energy consumption.
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