Donohue’s Trent Montemayor and Theo VanAken, Holland Board of Public Works (HBPW), will be co-presenting “Creating a Solids Future” on January 22, 2021, during the virtual Michigan WEA 2021 Wastewater Administrators’ Conference. This presentation will explore the key project planning decisions made in tackling challenges faced by the HBPW. The Holland Area Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) is a 12-million-gallon-per-day high purity oxygen activated sludge treatment facility located along the coastline of scenic Lake Macatawa. Historically, the WRF has managed its solids through a combination of landfill disposal and land application of Class B biosolids. In order to reduce financial, operational, and regulatory risks, HBPW evaluated options for improving its solids handling processes.

A combination of anaerobic digestion via an Egg-Shaped Digester (ESD) and pre-pasteurization via Anoxic Thermophilic Pretreatment (ATP) Reactors were selected in order to generate Class A Exceptional Quality biosolids. This advanced treatment method allows HBPW to land apply higher quality biosolids to farm fields with less stringent pathogen-related restrictions. The ESD was selected over more conventional pancake-type digesters because of site constraints and a desire to minimize odor potential by reducing digester tank cleaning requirements.

The WRF will generate power from biogas produced on-site via a combined heat and power (CHP) system. In order to maximize CHP utilization of biogas and limit flaring to atmosphere, gas cleaning systems were incorporated.

To meet new ammonia permit limits, a post-aerobic digester (PAD) is being installed to perform nitrification/denitrification of the digested sludge. This process will remove ammonia from the digested sludge to prevent it from returning to the head of the plant during thickening and dewatering. A side benefit of the PAD is further reduction of volatile solids to help mitigate solids handling risks.

The HBPW intends to apply for ENVISION certification for the project to recognize its commitment to environmental stewardship. Construction completion is slated for 2023.

Trent Montemayor is a water/wastewater engineer and project manager located in Donohue’s Indianapolis office. He has experience in the planning, design, and construction of wastewater collection and treatment systems and water distribution and treatment systems. Trent received a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Michigan.

For more information on the conference, please visit http://www.viethconsulting.com/Calendar/moreinfo.php?eventid=59757.