How To Prevent Algae Blooms In Wastewater Treatment By Controlling Phosphorus.

It is a common problem. In the summer, algae grows in wastewater treatment plants, especially in the clarifiers, contributing to numerous operational issues. Problems associated with algae blooms include:

• Algae solids carryover into the effluent, potentially causing TSS violations.
• Clogging of chlorine and/or dechlorination feed systems, resulting in inadequate disinfection or high residual chlorine residual levels. 
• Cloudy, opaque effluent that prevents UV transmissivity, hindering UV disinfection.
• Increased the oxygen demand as the microbes break down the algae that has died, leading to low Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels in the effluent.
• Contributing to algae in wastewater in receiving streams, with possible public health implications.
• Clogging of clarifier weirs, requiring additional maintenance (scrubbing).
• Increased solids production as algae dies and settles with the waste activated sludge (WAS).

Why The Summer? Factors Contributing To Algae in Wastewater.

Algae grows best in quiescent environments, with lots of sunlight. Growth rates increase with rising temperatures. These conditions are the very definition of most outdoor clarifiers during the summer. 

Methods To Prevent Or Treat Algae Blooms.

Many utilities have tried various methods other than nutrient control to address algae in wastewater. These have included covering the clarifiers to prevent sunlight, one of the necessary ingredients to algal growth. But covered clarifiers are difficult to observe and maintain and lead to additional operational issues. Ultrasound has been used to try to kill the algae, but dead algae lowers DO levels and increases sludge. Some have even resorted to algaecides such as copper or chlorine tablets in effluent troughs. However, this can lead to serious toxicity issues with the effluent, require repeated applications and are hazardous to handle.

The only effective way to control algae is to cut off its food supply, namely the limiting nutrient, phosphorus.

Reducing Phosphorus Is The Best Way To Prevent Algae Blooms.

Prevention is key. Once algae takes hold in a clarifier, it takes a long time to cycle out of your system. The best way to prevent algae blooms is to rob the algae of phosphorus, the limiting essential nutrient. 

Chemical coagulants are used to precipitate phosphorus, shifting it from the water to the sludge, so that it is removed with the WAS. But traditional iron and aluminum-based coagulants have a serious disadvantage. They do not bond tightly with phosphorus and under the conditions of declining DO and shifting pH, such as in a clarifier, they release phosphorus back into the water. The result? Algae again begins to bloom.

Neo WaterFX Bonds Tightly For Once And Does Phosphorus Removal.

The lanthanides in WaterFX preferentially and tightly bond with phosphorus, forming a dense crystal that settles quickly. It stays bonded over a broad range of pH and DO, holding the phosphorus in the sludge where it is removed. No phosphorus in the water means no algae in the clarifier. 

Effluent remains gin clear. Weirs don’t need scrubbing. Chemical feed systems that use plant water don’t get clogged. Compliance is simplified. And the receiving water and downstream communities are protected.

A Summer Free From Algae Is Possible!

Want to learn more about how WaterFX can solve your summer algae in wastewater problem? Or want to hear about the other benefits of phosphorus removal with WaterFX? (There are MANY!) Contact us for a free consultation to learn if Neo WaterFX is right for you.