Laserfiche WebLink
Biological Treatment <br />Evaluation of the treatability of combined municipal wastewater and leachate utilized the <br />Environmental Pollution Agency (EPA) Local Limits Development Guidance. This document <br />provides guidance regarding toxic and inhibitory compounds as well as anticipated removal <br />efficiencies through the typical biological treatment processes. <br />Comparison of the EPA documented inhibition values (Appendix G of Local Limits <br />Development Guidance) and the anticipated blended pollutant concentrations identified only one <br />parameter that approaches the threshold level for inhibition. The reported range of zinc inhibition <br />is 0.3-10 mg/L for activated sludge and 0.08-0.5 mg/L for nitrification. Zinc concentrations in the <br />blended is wastewater are projected at 0.2-0.4 mg/L when only accounting for mass received in <br />the leachate. Zinc would also be a parameter of concern if the biosolids disposal alternative of <br />land application was desired. <br />Complete nitrification of the estimated influent nitrogen concentration of 90-100 mg/L will result <br />in an effluent nitrate concentration in the similar range. If denitrification, (conversion of nitrate to <br />nitrogen gas) is required to meet future total nitrogen limits, supplemental carbon may be <br />required. Future nitrogen limits may be as low as 10 mg/L total nitrogen. <br />Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection <br />The existing UV disinfection system is designed to achieve a dose of 30,000 µWs/cm2 at a peak <br />design flow of 7.0 MGD and a UV transmittance (UVT) of 61 percent. The landfill leachate has <br />a distinct color that reduces the UVT and effectiveness of the UV disinfection system. A bench <br />scale study evaluated UVT reduction with a combination of raw leachate and treated municipal <br />wastewater. A theoretical impact on UV system performance was calculated based on the <br />measured the UVT values of the blended solutions. This conservative evaluation assumes color <br />in the leachate is not removed through the biological treatment process. <br />Results of the UVT evaluation are summarized below. These results indicate the need for pilot <br />testing with activated sludge treatment as the existing UV disinfection system cannot achieve the <br />design UV dose of 30,000 µWs/cm2 with blended flow of less than 5 MGD. <br />City of Elk River, Minnesota —121.109643 Page 2 <br />Elk River/Waste Management Leachate Study Prepared by Bolton & Menk, Inc. <br />