Grantee Research Project Results
2024 Progress Report: Innovative Water Technologies for Lagoon Wastewater Systems in Small Communities
EPA Grant Number: R840469Title: Innovative Water Technologies for Lagoon Wastewater Systems in Small Communities
Investigators: Jarvie-Eggart, Michelle , Becker, Jennifer G , Brooks, Colin N , Datta, Rupali , Handler, Robert , Minakata, Daisuke , Oommen, Thomas , Techtmann, Stephen
Institution: Michigan Technological University
EPA Project Officer: Ludwig-Monty, Sarah
Project Period: November 1, 2022 through October 31, 2026 (Extended to October 31, 2027)
Project Period Covered by this Report: November 1, 2023 through October 31,2024
Project Amount: $998,295
RFA: Innovative Water Technologies for Lagoon Wastewater Systems in Small Communities Request for Applications (RFA) (2022) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water Quality , Water
Objective:
The aim of this project is to assist a small community with a population of less than 10,000 to improve nutrient removal of ammonia, nitrogen, and phosphorus from the wastewater treatment lagoons using innovative technologies. The northwestern Michigan community lies in a humid continental climate, where the mean temperature range is 17.0 to 64.9 degrees F (NOAA 2021) and the average seasonal snowfall is approximately 200 in/yr (Keweenaw County 2021); representing climate extremes found across the U.S. The pilot sustainable floating treatment wetland (FTW) and monitoring system to be developed and demonstrated here at a low cost will be transferable to similar climates and communities across the U.S.
Progress Summary:
The second project year involved spring planting and fall harvesting of three engineered floating wetlands in the secondary lagoon of the Copper Harbor wastewater treatment plant. Lagoon data was gathered to be compared to year one baseline data, including nutrient data, hyperspectral lightweight portable radiometer (LPR) data, hourly lagoon photos, test hyperspectral images, microbial community composition data. Additional data on plant nutrient composition was also gathered in year 2 at both planting and harvest. A Biowin model of the existing lagoon system was further developed. An educational model on data cleaning was further developed.
Future Activities:
Wetland plants will be monitored for winter survival post harvest. The 2025 field season will continue with additional plant harvesting and analysis for nutrient uptake in the fall. We will quantify the photochemically produced reactive intermediates and fate of reactive nitrogen species. Life Cycle Cost and Environmental Assessments will be developed. The predicted microbial community data from hyperspectral imaging will be correlated with actual data taken from the lagoons.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Supplemental Keywords: Nutrient Removal, Floating Treatment Wetlands, Wastewater TreatmenRelevant Websites:
https://www.mtu.edu/greatlakes/research-highlights/lagoon-wastewater-systems/ Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.