Surface Water Treatment Plant
…A Closer Look
Prepared by Dr. Richard O. Mines, Jr., P.E.
Mercer University
Environmental Engineering Department
1400 Coleman Avenue
Macon, GA 31207
Influent Structure, Screens & Grit
Removal Systems
Raw water enters the inlet
structure on the east bank
of the river and flows by
gravity to the traveling
screens at the grit chamber
before being pumped up to
the reservoir by one of three
centrifugal pumps.
Figure 1 shows the influent
structure and river.
Influent Structure, Screens & Grit
Removal Systems (cont.)
Figures 2 & 3 show the mechanical screens and grit removal system.
Influent Pumping Station
After passing through the
grit chamber and screens,
the water is pumped up to
the reservoir, by one of
three centrifugal pumps.
Figure 4 shows the
centrifugal pump motors,
which provide energy to
pump the water from the
river to the reservoir.
Reservoir and Intake Structure
Water is pumped into the
reservoir to allow additional
time for suspended matter to
settle out of the water
(turbidity). Also the reservoir
provides additional storage
capacity doing times of
drought.
Figure 5 shows the reservoir.
The intake structure allows
water to be taken from the
reservoir at different levels
and pumped to the water
treatment plant.
Reservoir and Intake Structure
(cont.)
Figure 6 shows the Reservoir Figure 7 shows the pipe
Intake Structure and pumps. going to the water treatment
plant.
Rapid Mixing, Coagulation, and
Flocculation
From the reservoir intake structure,
the water is pumped to the rapid
mixing basin. Different types of
chemicals are injected into the
influent pipeline and are mixed
instantaneously by the rapid mixer
shown in Figure 8.
Rapid mixing normally takes 60
seconds or less. Alum, lime, and
chlorine dioxide are some of the
typical chemicals added to surface
water. These chemicals react with
turbidity, microorganisms, and
hardness so that large particles
called “floc” can be removed by
sedimentation.
Rapid Mixing, Coagulation, and
Flocculation (cont.)
Coagulation is the process of
adding chemicals to
neutralize charge on particles
and precipitate other particles
out of solution. The large floc
particles form during the
flocculation process in which
slow stirring or mixing occurs.
Flocculation generally takes
around 20 to 30 minutes to
occur.
Figure 9 shows the
flocculation chambers.
Rapid Mixing, Coagulation, and
Flocculation (cont.)
Figure 10 shows the
Figure 11 shows the chemical
“flocs” that are forming.
storage tanks with a containment
wall around them so chemicals
cannot be accidentally released to
the environment.
Sedimentation
After flocculation, the water flows by gravity into the settling basins where
the large particles or “flocs” settle out of the water by the force of gravity.
The particles that are removed (sludge) flow by gravity to a gravity
thickener to increase the solids concentration in the sludge. Treated water
then flows by gravity to the dual media filters.
Figure 12 shows the settling basins. Figure 13 shows the effluent weirs.
Dual Media Filters
After sedimentation, the water flows by gravity to the dual media
filters. The filters remove additional suspended solids that were
not removed during sedimentation. Disinfectants such as chlorine
or chlorine dioxide may be added to the incoming water.
Figure 14 shows a filter Figure 15 shows the
during the filtration process backwash water trough.
Chlorine Addition and Storage
After filtration, the water flows by
gravity to another rapid mixer
where additional disinfectant
such as chlorine is added to
provide chlorine residual in the
water.
Figure 16 shows the rapid mixer.
From the rapid mixing basin, the
water flows by gravity into one of
four 5-million gallon storage
tanks, where, the disinfectant has
sufficient contact time with the
water to ensure that pathogens
are killed.
Chlorine Addition and Storage
(cont.)
Figure 17 shows the 5-million gallon, domed storage tanks. Normally, the
contact tank or storage tanks are called the “clear well”. From the storage
tanks the water flows to the high service pumping station, which pumps the
water throughout the water distribution systems. Additional disinfectant
such as chlorine or chlorine dioxide may be added at the pumping station to
provide chlorine residual in the distribution system and prevent re-growth of
pathogens and bacteria in the system.
Sludge Handling and Treatment
Suspended solids, chemical
precipitates, and
microorganisms that end up in
the sludge in the sedimentation
tanks are pumped to the
gravity thickeners. The gravity
thickeners provide several
hours of quiescent settling so
the sludge can thicken to a
higher solids concentration.
The thickened sludge is
approximately, 5 to 8 % solids.
Figure 18 shows a gravity
thickener.
Sludge Handling and Treatment
(cont.)
Supernatant, the liquid portion
of the sludge is pumped to
artificial wetlands for further
treatment before seeping into
the groundwater.
Figure 19 shows a propeller
mixer on a guide-rail. The
mixer is used to stir the
contents of the tank if
necessary and can be rotated
in several directions.
Sludge Handling and Treatment
(cont.)
The thickened sludge is then
pumped to the solids handling
building where plate and
frame presses are used for
dewatering the sludge.
Figure 20 shows the solids
handling building. Additional
water is removed from the
sludge and the solids content
is increased to approximately
30 % solids.
Sludge Handling and Treatment
(cont.)
Figure 21 shows a picture of
the sludge produced at a
typical water treatment plant.
It is normally applied to
agricultural land to help
stabilize the pH.
