Sludge Reduction Through Bioaugmentation - Public Utility Company

Biological Treatment Summary

The Situation

A principle utility provider was faced with the excessive accumulation of bottom solids in their 5.5' deep, 2.3 MG sanitary lagoon. The solids in the lagoon had reached a depth of several feet and significantly reduced the capacity within the system. Company officials felt that the only way to remediate the situation was to dredge the lagoon, at a cost of over $100,000.

The Solution

United-Tech was contacted by a representative of the company seeking a cost-effective alternative to dredging the system. United-Tech proposed a biological treatment program using BZT® Waste Digester that was designed to degrade and eliminate the excessive solids on the lagoon bottom. Prior to initiating the program in August of 2001, 5 randomly selected sites in the lagoon were sampled to quantify the thickness of the bottom solids.

The Results

At the conclusion of a 90-day trial period, the same points in the sanitary lagoon were again sampled. The results showed that nearly 50% of the bottom solids in the lagoon had been eliminated. Company officials are pleased not only with the effectiveness of BZT® Waste Digester, but also with the substantial cost savings achieved over dredging the lagoon.