Meeting dates for 2012 are March 20, June 19, September 18, and December 11.

February 2012

Authors: Michael Goliber, PE Davis-Martin-Powell & Associates and Dean Gaster, Utilities Director, City of Dunn
Contact person: Donrie Dukes, Phone: 910-892-2935, Email: wastewater@dunn-nc.org

The City of Dunn, located in Harnett County North Carolina, is a bustling community situated at the intersection of Highway 421 and Interstate 95.  Less than an hour from both Raleigh and Fayetteville, the City’ s Black River Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) provides sanitary sewer service for a City of just under 10,000 in population.

The Black River Wastewater Treatment Facility was originally designed in 1970 with an average daily design flow of 2.275 MGD and a peak design flow of 4.55 MGD.  In 1986, the facility was re-permitted to 3.0 MGD without any additional construction or plant pumping modifications.  The capacity increase was based upon the facilities exceptional BOD5 and TSR removal efficiencies achieved at the 3.0 MGD flow rates.  In 1995 the plant was expanded to the current capacity of 3.75 MGD with a corresponding average daily peak flow capacity of 7.50 MGD.

The treatment plant includes an influent pump station, screening, grit removal, Parshall flume, two aeration basins, three final clarifiers, and liquid chlorination and dechlorination.  A 7.5 MGD effluent pumping station conveys treated wastewater through approximately three miles of 20” forcemain before discharging into the Cape Fear River. The entire treatment system is monitored through a newly implemented VT SCADA system.

Two years ago the plant switched from gas chlorine disinfection to a liquid sodium hypochlorite/sodium bisulfite system.  Due to emergency response protocol with chlorine gas and sulfur dioxide (both in one ton cylinders) employees were limited on response to leaks. Plant personnel converted the process through an in-house project to alleviate the dangers associated with the ton gas cylinders. This project also alleviated effluent pH problems and the need for soda ash addition.

The other critical issue the plant has dealt with over the years is problems due to excessive infiltration and inflow (I/I).  The problems originated throughout the sewer collection system and greatly affected pumping stations, but were most critically felt at the wastewater treatment plant.  Due to the excessive extraneous flow, at times, the WWTP staff would have difficulty operating the plant during rainfall events and periodically the daily permitted discharge capacity of the WWTP was exceeded during extensive wet weather events.

In 2008 the City, with the assistance of Davis-Martin-Powell & Associates of High Point, NC, began the process of planning, designing and constructing significant improvements as part of a system wide project that included multiple pump station upgrades, gravity sewer rehab and improvements to the hydraulics at the head of the wastewater treatment plant to address the I/I problems.  A Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), two Rural Center matching grants and a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) were secured to assist with funding and construction began in spring 2010.

To address the I/I at the treatment plant the City upgraded the influent pump station (Gorman Rupp (2) T-10, (2) T-12), replaced the grit (Eutek Headcell) and screening equipment (Westech), installed a new Parshall flume and installed flow equalization facilities, including a new 3.0 MGD pre-stressed concrete tank (Crom).  Additionally, the WWTP’s aging DAF sludge handling system was replaced with a new rotary drum thickener (Parkson) to more adequately process solids through the plant.  New sludge blowers (Aerzen) and digester aeration (EDI) was also installed.

The wastewater improvements were completed during the spring of 2011 and since the completion of the improvements the staff has noticed a significant difference in the hydraulics of the plant through the pretreatment facilities.  In addition, the overall wastewater system has improved and the staff has noticed a tremendous reduction in the amount of extraneous flow within the system, including the collection and pumping facilities.

The WWTP is operated and maintained by a staff of nine (9), which includes lab and administrative personnel.  The City encourages and reimburses Staff to remain current with the latest trends and techniques through continuing education courses and wastewater development programs including operator certification, land application certification, and lab certification.  Monthly safety training is a requirement of each employee.

To encourage a life balance, the City provides each employee the opportunity with flex scheduling to meet family obligations and school activities involving employees children.  This dedication to the plant employees is reflected by the fact that employees feel that their co-workers are their second family and many stop by on their days off just to visit.

Aerzen Digester Blowers

Crom Prestressed EQ Tank

Eutek HeadCell

Parkson RDT Floc Tank

RDT Control Panel

WesTech Screens

The NC Water Treatment Facility Operators Certification Board has revised  “Rules Governing Water Treatment Facility Operators” 15A NCAC 18D.0201 and .0304

Summary of  Changes:
These changes affect 15A NCAC 18D .0201, and .0304,

The revisions to 15A NCAC 18D .0201 and .0304 are necessary to add an apprentice certification for water treatment facility operators.  The apprentice certification will allow applicants to take the certification exams prior to obtaining the experience which is required for other certifications.  Applicants who pass the examination will become certified as “apprentice” until the required experience is obtained.

The.0201 was amended to add an “Apprentice Certification”.  Applicants for the “Apprentice Certification” will be allowed to take the certification examination without obtaining the experience presently required. Applicants who pass the examination will become certified as “apprentice” until the required experience is obtained.  .0304 is being changed to add the cost of upgrading from apprentice to Grade C, Grade D, or CC certification

• 10-LENOX 4.5-inch circular cutting blade (model 72L), or equivalent.
• 10- 4-inch service saddle with attached gasket.
• 12- Flexible repair couplings.FERNCO
• 20 LENOX saw handles with 18” PVC saw blades (model HS F180)
• 10 NEW FULL LENGTH-8 INCH SDR 35 PIPE

If you are able to donate these materials or help in another way please contact Greg Morgan, Field Operations Supervisor, UCPW (704) 289-3288 Donors will be recognized at the Annual Conference as sponsors of the Pipe Tapping/Operations Challenge events.

2012 Committee Chair

Les Hall
Phone: (919) 614-2285
Email: LesHall.h2oPE@gmail.com

Committee Documents

NC AWWA-WEA SafeWater Endowment Program Pledge Form

Endowment Policies & Procedures

Donor Program

Saturday, May 12, 2012

McAlpine Creek Cross Country 5k Course

Charlotte, NC

Times
Registration Time: 7:30am
Start Time: 8:30am

Fees
$20 on or before March 30
$25 March 31 – May 11
$30 Race Day

Sign-Up
Download Runner Registration Form
Download Sponsorship Form
Register Online

For more information including prizes, directions and a list of sponsors visit http://ncwfp.tap.waterforpeople.org/5k.

Photos from 2011 WFP 5K Fun Run

[Show as slideshow]

NC AWWA-WEA’s 2012 Training Programs and underway! The 2012 Winter Training Catalog & Spring Conference brochure is now available and contains most information for the first half of the year. This publication will be updated and posted quarterly as more event details are confirmed.

Clicking on an event title below will bring you to the information page for that event, where you will find more information including links to online registration.

Here’s what you can find in the catalog and on this web site:

11th Annual Spring Conference

April 15-17, 2012
Wilmington Convention Center – Wilmington, NC

Attendee & Exhibit Registration

Seminars

It’s Good to be Green: Project Funding and Sustainability in a Down Economy
February 23, 2012
D.E. Benton WTP – Raleigh, NC

Water Reuse Seminar
March 6, 2012
Whitley Auditorium, Elon University – Elon, NC

Legislative and Regulatory Topics relating to Water/Wastewater – What’s on the Horizon
March 21, 2012
Raleigh, NC

Schools

Eastern Collection & Distribution School
March 12-16, 2012
NCSU McKimmon Center – Raleigh, NC

Eastern Biological Wastewater Operators School
April 30 – May 4, 2012
NCSU McKimmon Center – Raleigh, NC

Western Biological Wastewater Operators School
July 16-20, 2012
Foothills Higher Education Center – Morganton, NC

Physical/Chemical Wastewater Operators School
May 1-4, 2012
NCSU McKimmon Center – Raleigh, NC

Maintenance Technologist Certification School & Exam – Class I, II, III
July 16-19, 2012
Foothills Higher Education Center – Morganton

Online Attendee Registration

Spring Conference Exhibit Information Packet

Online Exhibit Registration

Exhibit Hall Map