JACKMAN UTILITY DISTRICT

Wastewater Lagoons

Lagoons

The Jackman Utility District has a MEDEP permit to legally discharge wastewater from November 1st through March 31^st. The sewer treatment facility consists of 6 Lagoons (4 working and 2 storage). These 4 working lagoons have a capacity to hold 21.1 million gallons and the two storage lagoons have a capacity of 24.28 million gallons for a combined capacity of 45.38 million gallons. Over the past 7 years we have discharged an average of 28.63 million gallons per year. The sewer collection system is made up of 3 pump stations, 1 duplex lift station and 12 simplex lift stations along with approximately 7.25 miles of mains and 145 manholes.

Wastewater lagoons use microorganisms to stabilize or decompose organic and inorganic contaminants. Microorganisms are small living things too small to be seen with the naked eye. Organic waste is waste material from animals and plants. Inorganic waste is waste material from minerals, such as sand, salt, or iron. Microorganisms stabilize these materials by converting the organic waste to water, gases or inert (neutral) substances. Two types of microorganisms, bacteria and algae, are abundant in lagoons. Bacteria are single celled microorganisms that consume or stabilize the organic waste. There are 3 types of bacteria. Aerobic (need oxygen), anaerobic (do not need oxygen), and facultative (live under both conditions). Our lagoons are facultative. Algae are microscopic plants that use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to produce energy and give off oxygen. These two microorganisms, bacteria and algae, live effectively together when the lagoons are operating properly. The bacteria use the oxygen, organic waste and nutrients to produce carbon dioxide, inert materials and new bacteria. During the day the algae use the carbon dioxide to produce oxygen, bringing the DO (dissolved oxygen) and pH levels up. At night the algae use the oxygen and release carbon dioxide bringing the DO and pH levels down. In a facultative lagoon the upper portion is considered the aerobic zone, the middle is the facultative zone and the bottom is the anaerobic zone. There is also a layer of sludge that settles on the bottom of the lagoon.

There are few operational changes that can be made with lagoons, some include aeration, putting lagoons on and off line, adjusting the levels of the lagoons, and adding chemicals. There are some color characteristics that may indicate how the lagoons are operating. Deep green indicates abundant green algae present with sufficient DO indicating good operation. Yellowish or dull green color indicates blue green algae associated with poor operation, grey or black color indicates organic overload and poor operating conditions, and a tan or brown color indicates soil in the water associated with erosion. There are several operational and maintenance measure that can insure good operation procedures. Weeds and vegetation are regularly removed. They can hinder circulation and wind action, create insect issues, attract animals and trap sludge. Scum forming along the banks can block sunlight and cause odor problems so they are broken up. Odors are investigated. They can be caused by things such as organic overloading, algal blooms, and lagoon turnover. Slopes are protected against erosion. Burrowing animals are evacuated because they can lead to structural damage. Structures are kept free of sludge and scum and are maintained to allow for operational functionality. Sludge accumulation is measured annually.

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