Transition Maintains Quality

Our staff designed the original Rogers 6.7 MGD Biological Nutrient Removal Plant in 1988 as well as the Flow Equalization Basin in 1997. The upgrade included 13 million gallons of flow equalization facilities and modifications to the existing second anoxic zone of the biological process.

Because these facilities are located close to a country club, golf course and residential development, one of our primary planning concerns for this project was to reduce overflows and maintain effluent quality as the new flow equalization basin was integrated into the original system. To do this, our staff worked closely with the operations staff, engineer and contractor for the project. Additionally, the country club uses plant effluent as an adjunct water source to irrigate its golf course, providing an economic benefit while reducing environmental impact.

Meeting New Standards During Transition

The need to maintain service while complying with new effluent standards created a two-fold challenge for this project, a major upgrade of an existing wastewater treatment plant. In addition to meeting a new nitrate nitrogen effluent limitation, our design and planning had to keep the existing plant operating within permit limits during construction of the new components.

A comprehensive analysis of the wastewater characteristics and hydraulic profile of the existing plant allowed MWY to create an expanded system, which operates by gravity-flow and operates within the plant's hydraulic profile. To ease the integration of the new facilities, our piping and valving design allowed the general contractor to connect the old and new facilities quickly and efficiently by simply closing or opening certain valves.

Making the Old New

Our design for this 6 MGD project incorporated portions of Paragould’s existing 3 MGD wastewater treatment plant to create an almost completely new facility while keeping the existing plant in operation. The expansion was built on the original plant site, using as much of the existing facility as possible. The original plant also remained fully operational during both construction and integration of the new system. MWY’s design and planning allowed many existing treatment units – which could be used for alternative functions – to be modified for new roles after the new system came on-line.

Expansion of the plant also eliminated unpleasant odors from its associated biosolids lagoon, which had been a controversial problem in the community. Our solution was to include a biosolids drying system designed to produce Class A, "Exceptional Quality" fertilizer from the biosolids. The drying system is the largest in Arkansas, and the fertilizer is sold to area farmers for use on their fields.

New Plant Increases Capacity, Efficiency

In 2001, Fayetteville voters approved financing plans for construction of a new 10 MGD wastewater treatment facility on Fayettevilleís west side. The new plant will eliminate the old method of collecting and pumping wastewater from the west side side of town to the cityís one treatment facility on the east side of town and re-pumping to the west side for discharge. The new west side plant will eliminate the need for such back-and-forth pumping, greatly improving the treatment efficiency.

The new west side plant will be located in a wetland area and near residential areas. Wetland mitigation is an important concern in this project, as are and low-profile construction and stringent odor control measures to minimize negative impact on the plantís neighbors.

Construction is scheduled to begin summer of 2005 and to be competed late in 2008.