Category: Blog

Introduction Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) is frequently the unit process of choice when dealing with low-density solids, algae, or fats, oils, and grease (FOG)—contaminants that defy gravity settling. However, a surprising number of DAF installations fail to meet performance guarantees not because the tank is the wrong size, but because the whitewater system is improperly […]

Introduction One of the most visible failures in municipal water distribution is the overflow of an elevated storage tank. Beyond the public embarrassment of a “waterfall” cascading down a tower in the town center, the engineering consequences include structural icing loads in winter, erosion at the foundation, and significant wasted pumping energy. While SCADA systems […]

Introduction The catastrophic collapse of a pipeline due to vacuum conditions or the rupture of a force main caused by trapped air pockets remains a persistent threat in municipal water and wastewater infrastructure. Despite the critical nature of air management, air valves are often the most undervalued component in the hydraulic profile, frequently selected based […]

Comprehensive Odor Control Solutions for Wastewater Facilities Understanding the Sources of Odor in Wastewater Treatment Ever walked past a wastewater treatment plant and thought, Wow, that smells like a bad day at the beach? You're not alone. The reality is, odors from wastewater facilities can be downright offensive, and they often stem from some surprisingly […]

Introduction One of the most persistent yet overlooked threats to municipal pipeline integrity is the mismanagement of entrapped air and vacuum conditions. Design engineers often treat air valves as commodity items, specifying them based on nominal pipe diameter rather than hydraulic performance or operational longevity. This oversight frequently leads to catastrophic line failures due to […]

Introduction In the realm of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, sludge management typically accounts for 30% to 50% of a plant’s total operating costs. The efficacy of the dewatering process is the linchpin of this economic equation. While centrifuges and screw presses have gained market share in recent decades, the belt filter press (BFP) remains […]

Introduction One of the most frequent causes of pipeline failure in municipal water and wastewater infrastructure is not structural weakness of the pipe itself, but rather the mismanagement of entrained air and vacuum conditions. A startling number of force main bursts and transmission line collapses can be traced back to improper sizing, placement, or selection […]

INTRODUCTION In the design of high-head municipal pump stations and critical transmission mains, the selection of isolation and pump control valves is a decision that dictates facility reliability for decades. Engineers frequently default to standard butterfly or gate valves to save on capital expenditure, only to face catastrophic surge events, premature seat failure, or excessive […]

Aqua Aerobic Systems: Optimizing Biological Treatment Processes Mechanisms of Aqua Aerobic Systems Aqua aerobic systems are the unsung heroes of wastewater treatment, using a clever blend of biology and engineering to tackle the messiest of municipal challenges. Did you know that these systems can reduce organic matter by up to 90%? That's not just impressive; […]

Introduction In the municipal water and wastewater sector, the failure of a critical valve actuator is rarely a minor inconvenience; it is often a precursor to permit violations, process upsets, or catastrophic flooding. For decades, design engineers and plant superintendents have faced a polarized choice when specifying electric actuation: adhere to traditional domestic manufacturing philosophies […]