Project Experience

Project Scope

This plant, originally built in the 1890s, has been renovated and expanded several times. In 1969. Primary objectives included increasing treatment efficiency from 55- to 90-percent BOD removal and completing all work while maintaining plant operation. The expanded and modernized plant provides complete secondary treatment using a step-aeration, activated-sludge process. Design features included new screening and degritting facilities; variable-speed influent pumps; rehabilitation of the aeration, preliminary, and final settling tanks; and addition of chlorination facilities, gravity sludge thickeners, and sludge digestion, storage, and disposal facilities. 

The plant is bounded on the north by a residential community and on the west by Starrett City, a 20-story apartment complex. To ensure neighborhood acceptability, both the visual appearance and potential odors had to be carefully controlled. Improvements in screenings handling, grit removal, and skimming operations greatly reduced the potential for odor problems. Also, facilities were provided to treat exhaust air from the enclosed screen chambers, degritting room, and sludge thickeners. The plant was cited as a “good neighbor” by the Starrett City community newspaper. 

Project duties included inspection of power distribution and equipment, illumination, fire alarm and protection, lightning protection and grounding, monitoring and security, data/voice communication and cathodic protection system. Engineering and commissioning using PANELBUILDERS 32, QUANTUM, FAUNC, WONDERWARER, MATH CAD, RSVIEW32, CIMPLICITY, PMCS, and VERSAPRO.