Virginia Coastal Program: 2000 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY2000 Task 5
Grantee:
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - Chesapeake Bay Program
Project Title:
Water Quality Improvement
Project Description as Proposed:
Alexandria Sanitation Authority (ASA) has decided to build a new treatment process -- a suspended growth biological nutrient removal system using the Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) configuration -- to replace the existing rotating biological contactors. The MLE process, used successfully at treatment plants around the world, is a proven method to oxidize ammonia nitrogen and achieve significant nitrogen removal. Improvements related to BNR capability are discussed in detail in the Summary Document, Nitrogen Removal Process Concepts Workshop, prepared for ASA by CH2M Hill (November 1994). In general terms, the grant eligible project associated with the nitrogen reduction system consists of anoxic reactor basins, submersible mixers, internal (nitrified) recirculation pumps, associated electrical work, instrumentation and control systems, odor control, required demolition, design engineering, and pilot testing. The selected treatment process also reflects the recommendation of a peer review team, lead by Dr. Clifford Randall of VPI&SU, to add flexibility to allow operation in a step-feed mode of BNR operation.
Federal Funding:
MATCH Funding Being Provided towards Coastal FY2000 Grant: $549,863
Project Contact:
Robert W. Ehrhart, 804-698-4466; rwehrhart@deq.virginia.gov
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
In
1998, the Virginia DEQ awarded a 50% grant to the Alexandria Sanitation
Authority (ASA), in the amount of $20,147,914, from the Water Quality
Improvement Fund for the design and installation of a nutrient reduction
system. This grant funding was used as state match for other federally-funded
Coastal Zone Management Projects.
The ASA retrofitted its 54 million gallon per day advanced wastewater
treatment plant to include a biological nitrogen removal (BNR) process,
with an annual average performance requirement of 8 mg/l total nitrogen.
The BNR retrofit was part of a larger, plant-wide upgrade project
costing nearly $300 million. The facility was already operating
near limit-of-technology phosphorus removal (monthly average permit
limit of 0.18 mg/l) since the late 1970's. ASA built a new treatment
process -- a suspended growth BNR system using the Modified Ludzack-Ettinger
(MLE) system -- to replace the existing rotating biological contactors.
The MLE process, used successfully at treatment plants around the
world, is a proven method to oxidize ammonia nitrogen and achieve
significant nitrogen removal. In general terms, the grant eligible
project associated with the nitrogen reduction system consists of
anoxic reactor basins, submersible mixers, internal (nitrified)
recirculation pumps, associated electrical work, instrumentation
and control systems, odor control, required demolition, design engineering,
and pilot testing.
This project is one of many implementation actions under the Shenandoah/Potomac
Basin Nutrient Reduction Strategy, which has as its goal to reduce
the input of nutrients by 40% to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
The BNR system is expected to become operational in April 2002,
and is estimated to remove more than 2 million pounds of nitrogen
each year at the ASA plant's design capacity.
Form C end
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
