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SEWER AND TANK SEDIMENT FLUSHING: CASE STUDIES
Citation:
Pisano, W. C. AND J. Barsanti. SEWER AND TANK SEDIMENT FLUSHING: CASE STUDIES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-98/157 (NTIS 99-127839), 1999.
Impact/Purpose:
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Description:
The objective of the report summarized here is to demonstrate that sewer system and storage tank flushing that reduces sediment deposition and accumulation is of prime importance to optimizing performance, maintaining structural integrity, and minimizing pollution of receiving waters. Results were based on the evaluation of 18 European and North American installations for cleaning accumulated sludge and debris in storm sewer (SW), combined sewer (CS), and CS overflow (CSO) storage tanks. Sewage solids deposited in CS and SW systems during dry weather are major contributors to the wet weather-pollution load. Innovative methods for cleaning accumulated sediments in CSO and SW systems and storage tanks have emerged by creating high speed flushing waves to resuspend deposited sediments. The aim of flushing is to wash the resuspended sediment to a storage sump which will allow later removal of the stored contents or to the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). This reduces the amount of solids resuspended during storm events, lessens the need for CSO treatment at downstream storage facilities, and allows the conveyance of more flow to the WWTP.