The purpose of the laboratory is
to ensure treated wastewater meets the standards of the state
and federal government before it is released into the Little Eagle
Creek. These regulations have been set up to prevent harmful
pollutants from being released into the environment.
Another role
of the wastewater laboratory is to provide treatment plant personnel
with information and data valuable to the operation of the plant. By
monitoring the wastewater throughout the entire treatment process,
the lab can provide analytical data that affects plant operational
decisions.
The
wastewater chemist performs tests on the treated wastewater and
keeps records that are reported to the government monthly. These
records are required to keep the plant in compliance with its
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
Tests performed
for our NPDES permit include:
E-coli (bacterial testing)
Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (also
called CBOD)
Total suspended solids
Ammonia
Total Phosphorous
pH
Dissolved Oxygen
Other samples
collected at the plant, and sent to other labs for completion
include:
Mercury
WET (test for toxicity to aquatic life)
Solids tests on biosolids
CTRWD’s
tests are performed using EPA-approved methodology.
The lab
personnel are tested once a year through the Discharge Monitoring
Report Quality Assurance (DMRQA). The DMRQA is a blind sample test
given to make sure the chemist is using correct methods and is
proficient in performing the tests.