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DISTRICT RECEIVES OUTSTANDING TREATMENT PLANT PERFORMANCE AWARD
The Washington Department of Ecology recognized 56 of the state's 321 wastewater treatment plants for perfect performances in 2006 to keep Washington's waters clean. Representatives from Ecology presented the "Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Plant" award to the District Commissioners and plant operators at the Commissioners meeting on June 14, 2007. The awards honor operators of treatment plants that had no spills into Washington's waters during 2006. Award winners also passed every environmental test and analyzed all samples according to requirements laid out by Ecology. Click to read Ecology's News Release
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LIBERTY LAKE SEWER AND WATER DISTRICT WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY UPGRADE PROJECT
Previous Upgrade Project Aerial Photos (click to enlarge)
In the summer of 2004, the District received final approval from the Washington State Department of Ecology to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant from a 1 million gallon per day discharge plant to a 2 million gallon per day discharge plant. The approval of the plans did not increase the NPDES permit discharge limits beyond the existing 1 million gallons per day. The District has completed the construction of an $11 million dollar 2 million gallon per day plant upgrade. The District is presently discharging over 750,000 gallons per day of treated effluent to the Spokane River. The Washington State Department of Ecology, the permitting agency for treatment plant dischargers, completed a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study for dissolved oxygen in the Spokane River (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/watershed/spokaneriver/dissolved_oxygen/index.html). This study will result in new standards for the river requiring dischargers to meet the new discharge standards. The dischargers to the Spokane River have tentatively agreed to a 20-year schedule with DOE to meet the proposed new standards. The District will be required to upgrade the plant again to further reduce phosphorus being discharged to the river. The plant will be upgraded in multiple phases; the now complete Phase I will provide for phosphorus removal and additional ammonia and BOD removal greatly improving the effluent and consequently improving the river. The next step of the construction will include facilities to either meet the new standards for the river or improve the effluent for land application. Future phases include effluent filtration, which may occur in the next 5 to 8 years. To review the fundamental concepts of the 20 plan, go to http://client-ross.com/spokane-river/docs/foundationalconcepts_v21.pdf#search
The District plans a state-of-the-art facility that will not further degrade the river, but in fact improve the river. What is the state-of-the-art technology? Wastewater treatment is a biological removal process, a chemical removal process, or a combination of both. The District has decided on a biological process that is widely used and proven. As discharge standards become more stringent, new technology will certainly be created to meet the requirements. The District has examined several of these “new technologies” and remains cautiously optimistic that the future of wastewater treatment will see new and innovative ways to treat and improve the quality of the wastewater effluent. The data is not in for some of these new technologies, but studies are ongoing. The District has prided itself as always being on the leading edge for environmental issues. We were the first to promote a phosphorus ban in detergents, the first to regulate stormwater for residential homes, elimination of septic tanks to prevent lake pollution, promote water conservation by providing low flow shower heads, irrigation audits, and flow restrictors and toilet dams. When new and improved technology is available and proven for wastewater treatment, the District will be in the lead to utilize it. The new plant went on-line in January 2006. Upgrades of the existing treatment plant began as the new treatment plant went on-line. The project was substantially complete by Memorial Day 2006. Final completion of the project was accomplished by October 1, 2006. The District is currently implementing and researching water reuse practices and additional innovative new technologies for future phases of the wastewater treatment plant.
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PHOSPHORUS FREE DISHWASHER DETERGENT It is known that phosphorus is the leading cause of nutrient loading to rivers, lakes and streams. It is also known that research Nationally has shown that phosphorus in dishwasher detergent is a major source of phosphorus to wastewater treatment plants. The LLSWD has completed the upgrade to their wastewater treatment plant to further remove phosphorus from its effluent in order to protect the Spokane River. Thus, on July 20, 2005, the LLSWD passed a resolution requesting that all of its customers discontinue the use of dishwasher detergents containing Phosphorus to protect the Spokane River and reduce the phosphorus into the treatment plant. A copy of the resolution is available at the LLSWD Administration building or at the link listed below: Phosphorus Free Dishwasher Detergent Resolution 23-05
Here is a list of commercial PHOSPHATE-FREE dishwasher detergents, some available in many grocery stores:
An at home phosphate-free automatic dishwasher detergent recipe: (http://www.crwp.net/Issues/phosphorus.htm):
For best results, rinse dishes — especially mugs and cups — with cold water before stacking in the dishwasher.
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