TREATMENT PLANT
The Treatment Plant Process (continued):
Previous Pages:
Physical Treatment
| Primary Treatment |
Trickling
Filters
Secondary Clarifiers |
Bio Solids |
Disinfection
Polishing Ponds
Image numbers are in parenthesis.
The stream is then discharged (24) into ponds (25) for final treatment. Chlorine dissipates out during the detention time in the ponds. A residual of chlorine is not allowed in the discharge stream (26 & 27) to the Salinas River during “live stream” condition.
24.
25.
26.
27.
Two types of conditions exist during the year in the Salinas River, “live stream” (28), meaning water is flowing on the surface or “no live stream” meaning water is not visible on the surface. The “live stream” condition exists approximately 20% of the year and the “no live stream” condition 80% of the year. These ponds are maintained and kept free of weed growth, and three of the ponds are dried out each summer and cleaned (29).
28.
29.
Laboratory
Operators collect samples daily to perform
laboratory tests; (30)
they use the results to run
calculations for the Plants process control.
Sampling is also done on a monthly, quarterly,
semi-annual and annual basis to monitor process
control, and to report to the Regional Water Quality
Control Board and the State Division of Water
Quality (EPA).
Some testing is done in-house in the
wastewater treatment plant laboratory. (32 below) 
The more complex testing is sent out to contract
laboratories.
One of the more recent NPDES Permit laboratory requirements is for Toxicity. A composite sample (taken over a 24 hour period) is sent in for testing using three species: Fathead Minnows, Water Fleas, and Green Algae are used in a controlled environment to identify toxicants that may be found in the discharge stream. Ammonia continues to be an issue with the Toxicity testing which will be dealt with in the upcoming plant upgrade.
Previous Pages:
Physical Treatment
| Primary Treatment |
Trickling
Filters
Secondary Clarifiers |
Bio Solids |
Disinfection
