Important design considerations in wastewater treatment plants

Many wastewater treatment plants, over the years, have been designed and constructed with little thought being given to details that allow the whole to work as a system, and often provides little ease of operation and maintenance. Based on over 35 years experience in the field, the following are some observations of often overlooked details which a design engineer should consider. This will be categorized into the following: Front End Design, Treatability Studies, Primary Treatment, Biological Treatment, Secondary Clarification, VOC Control, Solids Dewatering and Disposal, Recycle/Reuse, and Spent Caustic Treatment.