Three Donohue personnel will be leading technical presentations at the Michigan Water Environment Association's (WEA) Annual Conference. TJ Bates will present "Primary Clarifier Rehabilitation: A Case Study," Nathan Cassity will present “Utility of the Future, The Continued Journey at St. Cloud, Minnesota,” and Christine Isaguirre will present "Biosolids Facility Planning: One Approach, Three Communities."

• TJ will present a case study of the primary clarifiers at the Holland Board of Public Works Water Reclamation Facility (HBPW). The clarifiers are designed to be robust and reliable, but they are subjected to corrosive gases produced by influent wastewater and primary sludge, which deteriorates the tank and equipment over time. A pre-design study was completed to understand the extent of repair required, and the most cost effective options available. The HBPW project provides an excellent case study of the key considerations for the design and construction of primary clarifier rehabilitation projects. The presentation provides a how-to guide for primary clarifier rehabilitation projects.
• Nathan will discuss recent upgrades to the St. Cloud Resource Recovery Facility. The 18-million-gallon-per-day plant has full biological nutrient removal through a modified Johannesburg process. Biosolids are anaerobically digested prior to Class A thermal hydrolysis, storage, and land application. Although located in Minnesota, St. Cloud's size and biosolids treatment challenges are typical of many mid-sized Michigan communities. The presentation will follow the City's journey through implementation of biogas management, energy production, nutrient harvesting, and biosolids thermal hydrolysis, discussing lessons learned along the way. Key project elements are increased energy efficiency, addition of solar energy generation, biofuel heat and power recovery, struvite harvesting, and Class A biosolids land application.
• Christine will discuss how three different communities evaluated alternatives to effectively manage their biosolids. Each study used a similar approach to biosolids master planning, but the differing factors in each facility’s existing infrastructure, operating costs, and disposal outlets led to different results. Comparing the results of the three studies provides an informative analysis of the current challenges in biosolids management, critical treatment factors, and the cost effectiveness of potential solutions. The results of the studies provided all three facilities with a roadmap of biosolids improvements that will provide valuable guidance for facility planning for years to come. 

The Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA) brings together a diverse group of individuals whose careers involve the water environment and who have similar objectives from varying backgrounds. MWEA provides a forum for all water environment topics. Through this forum, a variety of objectives, strategies, and goals have been developed that will enhance the mission of the Association, expand the services provided to members, and result in the continued growth of the Association and its members. Visit us in our Donohue booth.

Learn more at https://www.mi-wea.org/docs/MWEA_Conference2019_Mar28_Final.pdf