Equalization Basins
Flow continues from the Headworks of the plant to the Equalization Basins. These two basins have a combined capacity of approximately 600,000 gallons. The flow rate of the incoming raw wastewater from our service area's lift stations vary through out the day. These two basins absorb the surges in flow and allow us to pump at one constant flow rate through out the day making it easier for an operator to maintain stable plant operation.
This system uses three submersible pumps allowing pumping rates anywhere from 0 gallons per minute to 4000 gallons per minute. All three pumps are driven by Variable Frequency Drives (VFD's).
In the picture above, you can see equipment spraying the wastewater upward and outward in a circular pattern. These are called mechanical aerators. The aerators provide mixing and dissolved oxygen preventing the wastewater from becoming septic which would cause a high load on the plant and difficulties in treating.
There is also an overflow basin. The overflow basin is a back-up in case the Equalization Basins become full. In the event of Equalization Basins reaching their capacity limit, overflow is automatically directed to the overflow basin.
