Treatment Process

image: http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/Wastewater/TreatmentPlant.jpg

On a typical day, more than three million gallons of wastewater are transported to the
wastewater treatment plant through nearly 138 miles of collection system pipes.
During heavy rain events or snow melt, the facilities can treat up to a rate of 28 million
gallons per day (MGD). Following are brief descriptions of the main treatment
processes.
When the wastewater reaches the plant, it is raised 30 feet by three, 15 million gallons
per day (MGD) screw pumps. Raising the wastewater allows it to travel by gravity
through the rest of the treatment processes. The influent pumping station is designed
to accommodate a fourth pump in the future.

image: http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/Wastewater/Treatment2.jpg

image: http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/Wastewater/Treatment3.jpg

Wastewater flows from the top of the screw pumps to the "fine" step screens where
inorganic solids are removed. These screens are unique in that they trap debris on
metal bars 1/8 inch apart and do not allow them to be carried any further by the water.
With these fine screens, more inorganic solids are removed at this process so they need
not be re-handled in later processes. Debris is compressed to dry and is then
automatically bagged and land filled.
image: http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/Wastewater/Treatment4.jpg

From the fine screens, wastewater travels to a diversion/splitter box where it is

conveyed to an oxidation ditch. In the oxidation ditch, air is introduced into the water
by 125 hp aerators at both ends of each tank. Air is introduced to sustain the
microorganisms in the wastewater that consume organics. The aerators at the ends of
the tank also keep the wastewater in the tank flowing, so microorganisms remain in
suspension and continue to consume organics in the wastewater for a designated period
of time.
image: http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/Wastewater/Treatment5.jpg

Flows to the plant in excess of about 15 MGD can be diverted around the oxidation
ditch, and then sent on to the final clarifiers. Flows of this volume generally only occur
during heavy rains or snow melts. This feature has allowed for the construction of an
economical treatment facility - one that is sized for normal flow with room for
community growth over the next 20 years, with the ability to handle high flows from
heavy rain events and snow melts.
image: http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/Wastewater/Treatment6.jpg

After being treated in the oxidation ditch, the wastewater flows to clarifier tanks. In the
clarifiers, the microorganisms in the wastewater are allowed to be taken out of
suspension and they then settle to the bottom of the tank. From here, they are pumped
back to the oxidation ditches to mix with the incoming wastewater and continue their
work to remove organic material. Periodically, a small portion of this return flow is
pumped to the gravity belt thickener for thickening.
image: http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/Wastewater/Treatment7.jpg

The gravity belt thickener removes water from the return flow microorganism solids
coming from the final clarifiers. The liquid removed is then sent back to the oxidation
ditch for further treatment.
image: http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/Wastewater/Treatment8.jpg

The thickened solids from the gravity belt are called biosolids. These biosolids are
stored in two storage tanks with a combined capacity of more than 4 million gallons.

Biosolids from these tanks are pumped to tanker trucks and hauled away to be land
spread on farm fields during spring and fall.
image: http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/Wastewater/Treatment9.jpg

Treated water from the clarifiers flows through a flume and over a cascade aerator
where it aerates the water. It then travels along a 1/4 mile vegetated swale to Mill
Creek. The vegetated swale has been carefully designed and constructed to blend in
with the natural surroundings. Approximately 15 species of native grasses were planted
along critical areas of the swale side slopes for stabilization. Another 8 species of
aquatic plants were planted along the swale bottom. Riprap has been included to
prevent erosion of the stream bank and stones have been placed throughout the swale
length to create a more natural environment of aquatic life.
image: http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/Wastewater/Treatment10.jpg

Read more at
http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/departments/public_works/wastewater_utility/treatment_pro
cess.php#IKrGbHuQ4bOWmdRI.99

Facility Statistics

Actual average daily flow - 3,000,000 gallons per day

Design average daily flow - 4,630,000 gallons per day

Design average wet weather flow 7,910,000 gallons per day

Design peak wet weather flow 28,000,000 gallons per day

Population design (year 2020) 29,370

Maximum loadings per day:

BOD5 11,000 lb/day

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 11,000 lb/day

Nitrogen 1,550 lb/day

Phosphorus 350 lb/day

Receiving stream Mill Creek

Permit classification limited aquatic life

Permit Limits:

CBOD5:

Weekly Average 25 mg/L or Part Per Million(PPM)

Monthly Average 16 mg/L or PPM

Total Suspended Solids:

Weekly Average 30 mg/L or PPM

Monthly Average 20 mg/L or PPM

Phosphorus:

Monthly Average 1.0 mg/L or PPM

Dissolved Oxygen:

Daily Minimum 4.0 mg/L or PPM

Copper:

42 ug/L or PPB
PH Range 6.0 9.0 standard units

Influent Pumps:

(3) Screw pumps with ability to pump 15 MGD each or 10,500 gallons per
minute
Preliminary Treatment:

(2) Fine screens with 1/8 openings and wash press

Oxidation Ditch:

(2) 400 ft x 65 ft tanks which hold 2,750,000 gallons each

Final Clarifiers:

(3) 100 ft diameter x 15 ft SWD circular clarifiers which hold 881,000

gallons each
Biosolids Storage Tanks:

(2) 120 ft diameter x 24 ft SWD circular concrete tank which holds

2,030,000 gallons
Gravity Belt Thickener

(1) 3 meter Gravity Belt Thickener

Read more at
http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/departments/public_works/wastewater_utility/facility_statistic
s.php#MKXcTqavumeHk8GO.99

Collection System Services

There are over 138 miles (nearly 730,000 linear feet) of sanitary sewer lines which
provide the wastewater conveyance or collection system in the City of Marshfield.
There are 2,300 manholes installed in the collection system at 200-600 ft. intervals to
facilitate inspections, cleaning, maintenance, investigations, and sampling within the
collection system.
Wastewater that cannot flow by gravity to the wastewater treatment plant must be
pumped from four separate locations on the east, north, and west sides of the city.

Read more at
http://ci.marshfield.wi.us/departments/public_works/wastewater_utility/collection_syst
em_services.php#L4d1srolfkpkOQLI.99