Wastewater Recycling and Pre-treatment - Commercial Truck Washing Operation

Biological Treatment Summary

The Situation

A large commercial truck washing operation was in need of a wastewater recycling and pre-treatment system. This truck wash consists of (8) wash bays, four full-service and four self-service. Flow rates from their 13 hand held high-pressure washing systems (5 gpm ea.) can reach 65 gpm. The customer was discharging 100% of their wastewater to sanitary sewer.

The local P.O.T.W. was surcharging them for excess TSS, BOD and several heavy metals costing thousands per month. With water costs rising frequently and a worsening drought it made sense to the owners to recycle as much water as possible.

Wastewater recycling systems in car and truck washes is generally an extremely fertile environment for naturally occurring bacteria to form. Ozone, hydrogen peroxide and chlorine disinfectants are usually used. Over time these destroy the customers vehicles and car washing equipment.

The Solution

A wastewater treatment system, model "Extreme Clean," was installed. The Extreme Clean is capable of providing recycled water back to the washing equipment at sufficient flow rates. Filtration methods include after solids settling, oil coalescing, active skimming and dual filter media polishing. BZT® Waste Digester was seed dosed into the system at a rate of 1 lb. Per 1000 gallons of water volume

Maintenance doses are provided in stabilized liquid form using an automatic dosing system. Maintenance rates were set at - one 3 oz. dose per 500 gallons of water volume each day.

The Results

The system has been in operation for five months with no smell. Resulting water tests are shown below.