PERFORMANCE PROFILE,
Bonne Terre, Missouri
1: INITIAL OPERATIONS CHALLENGES
1: Initial Operations Challenges
The City had received notice from a regulating agency and a new operations approach was in order.- No licensed operators remained after the previous wastewater plant manager resigned.
- Wastewater facilities suffered from a severe lack of housekeeping, which contributed to operating and process problems. Corrective clean-up work was required before a maintenance schedule could be implemented to keep the plant up to acceptable standards.
- Assessments for each lift station and each unit process in the treatment facilities were needed in order to prioritize repair, cleanup and maintenance.
- One of two oxidation ditch plants suffered from high peak flows due to inflow and infiltration problems in the collection system.
Two separate oxidation ditch wastewater facilities operate in the City. Municipal customers are served by the 0.6 mgd Northwest plant while the 0.9 mgd Northeast plant services the Eastern Reception Diagnostic & Correctional Center. Facilities that process wastewater from prisons face particular challenges, including excessive amounts of solids and high strength waste. Both plants suffered from a lack of basic maintenance and the City had been put on notice by the regulating authority.
City officials contracted with Alliance Water Resources on an immediate interim basis to supply properly licensed operators and bring the facilities to a stable state. A second, long-term contract to operate and maintain the treatment plants is now in place with a permanent crew lead by a highly licensed system manager.
Because of the success of the wastewater plant operation, Alliance was then retained to provide operations and maintenance services for the potable water and collection systems. Primary water system projects will include reducing radionuclide levels, establishing a maintenance program and addressing distribution system concerns.
- Licensed operators were put into place immediately and plant operations were brought up to a stable state under the interim agreement. A team of Alliance professionals performed a detailed analysis of the wastewater system and worked to recuperate every part of both treatment plants and each lift station.
- The operations and maintenance approach now follows strict specifications and standards under a long-term contract with Alliance Water Resources.
- High flow issues have been managed within the current capabilities of the wastewater system. Alliance is working with the city engineer to develop a plan for more permanent improvements.
- Alliance is working with the City to establish routine equipment maintenance schedules and perform maintenance tasks in a timely manner.
- Improved reporting functions are being put into practice.
- Biosolids storage basins were overfull and required immediate attention. Alliance assisted the City in contracting a vendor for proper disposal.
- Plastic materials from the prison are now being collected by a custom screen designed, fabricated and installed by Alliance system professionals. Protecting equipment with the screen minimizes treatment disruptions, makes maintenance easier and prolongs equipment life.
- Local residents have been recruited to fill vacant positions. Recruiting responsible, qualified employees had been a major challenge for the City in light of local hiring conditions.
- Parts from two dysfunctional UV disinfection systems have been combined to form a working unit.
- Improved reporting functions for the wastewater department have been put into practice.
- A safety program has been implemented for all utility employees that conforms to industry best practices.