Category: Wastewater Lagoon Blog

Phosphorus

May 23, 2017 4 min read

Lagoon Phosphorus 101: A video overview of the why and how of lagoon phosphorus removal

Nutrient removal is one of the most pressing challenges facing lagoon operators. In this episode of Lagoons Do It Better TV, lagoon specialists Patrick Hill and Tom Daugherty discuss why lagoon phosphorus is being regulated and the methods available to meet increasingly stringent phosphorus effluent limits. Lagoon Phosphorus 101: Where Does Phosphorus Come From? Like nitrogen, […]

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Algae

May 8, 2017 5 min read

Lagoon TSS to BOD5: A Simple Ratio to Diagnose the Source of Problems

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids, or TSS, are standard testing parameters for wastewater lagoons. The ratio between the two numbers can provide valuable insight into the source of the TSS. In this article, we’ll take a look at what the ratio of lagoon TSS to BOD5 in final effluent reveals about the source of […]

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Odor

April 25, 2017 5 min read

Spring Lagoon Stench: It may be normal, but is it inevitable?

Spring is in the air, and for some wastewater lagoons, that means foul odors are in the air, too. Google “spring lagoon stench” and you’ll see articles from local newspapers across the country, each reassuring readers that the foul lagoon odors they experience every spring are “normal” and will soon pass. While spring lagoon stench may […]

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Sludge

April 4, 2017 5 min read

Lagoon Sludge: Impacts on Ammonia and BOD Treatment

Lagoon sludge is a normal part of lagoon wastewater treatment, and it’s usually not a problem until it is allowed to build up in excess at the bottom of the lagoon. In the latest video posted to our Lagoons Do It Better YouTube channel, lagoon specialists Brady O’Leary and Patrick Hill discuss what causes sludge and how lagoon sludge impacts […]

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Ammonia

January 30, 2017 4 min read

Removing Lagoon Ammonia: 6 Key Factors for Nitrification

Strategies for removing lagoon ammonia have become a hot topic over the past few years. Many state environmental agencies have been introducing new ammonia limits for wastewater facilities, including lagoons. This is a problem because most wastewater lagoon systems were not originally designed for ammonia treatment; as a result, most will require some kind of […]

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Aeration

January 16, 2017 7 min read

Lagoon Aeration 101: A video comparison of aeration technologies

Lagoon aeration can account for over 50 percent of energy costs, so efficiency is an important consideration in choosing aeration equipment and designing a system. In this episode of Lagoons Do It Better TV: Lagoon Aeration 101, our own Patrick Hill and Brady O’Leary give you the lowdown on different measures of efficiency, like SOTE […]

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Case Studies

December 14, 2016 4 min read

Fruit Processing Wastewater: A Video Case Study

Fruit processing wastewater is challenging to treat due to the seasonal nature of the industry and widely variable flows and loadings, with influent BOD levels much higher than typical municipal influent. Treated effluent, instead of being discharged, can be stored and used for crop irrigation, reducing the cost of external water sources. This video case […]

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Case Studies

November 16, 2016 4 min read

Wastewater Lagoon Mixing for Egg Processing: A Video Case Study

Lagoon mixing is a critical component of wastewater treatment: Robust mixing keeps BOD-consuming microorganisms in contact with the dissolved and suspended organic matter and prevents sludge buildup. Mixing is especially critical for egg processing wastewater, which is notable for high BOD and suspended solids, floating proteins, and the potential for odors. This video case study shows how Triplepoint […]

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Aeration

November 1, 2016 5 min read

Lagoon aeration: Can you have too much?

Lagoon aeration is a topic we cover regularly, evaluating technologies, comparing partial mix vs. complete mix systems, troubleshooting low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels and the problems too little aeration can cause, like odors and sludge accumulation. But is it possible to overaerate? Can you have too much lagoon aeration? In this article, we’ll describe the factors […]

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Odor

October 5, 2016 5 min read

Preventing Seasonal Lagoon Turnover and Odors

October is here—time for football, pumpkins, falling leaves, and seasonal lagoon turnover. Although less extreme than the spring transition, autumn’s cooler temperatures cause destratification and may trigger lagoon turnover and corresponding odors. In this short article, we’ll talk about the causes of seasonal lagoon turnover and how to prevent it. What Is Seasonal Lagoon Turnover? An […]

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Case Studies

September 9, 2016 6 min read

Wastewater Lagoon Expansion: A Video Case Study

What do you do when an industry wants to move to town and increase hydraulic and BOD loadings to the lagoon system? New jobs can be a boon to a municipality, but only if the infrastructure is capable of handling it. Coopersville, MI, faced this challenge when a dairy processor made plans to move to the community. […]

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Algae

August 4, 2016 6 min read

Wastewater Lagoon Blue-Green Algae: The Harm of HABs

We talk about algae a lot, because with wastewater lagoons, algae just comes with the territory. In facultative and stabilization lagoons, algae provide free oxygen to fuel aerobic BOD-consuming bacteria and higher life forms. Even in a properly mixed and aerated lagoon, algae may be present in small amounts during the hottest summer months. In summer, the combination […]

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