IRWD RECLAMATION PLANT, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA.
At the Irvine Ranch Water District's Michelson Water Reclamation plant tertiary, treatment is provided to reclaim wastewater. The method converges and expedites the process used by nature to clean water and to biodegrade waste material. Through the use of Primary Clarification, Flow Equalization, Activated Sludge Process, Secondary clarification, Filtration, and Disinfection the IRWD reaches its ultimate goal of distributing reclaimed water. The facility is important to health because the IRWD filters water that is used in our parks which can be dangerous if not properly cleansed. The trip to me was enticing because I was unaware of the many aspects of water treatment and was unsure what exactly water reclamation was. After the field trip I can say I am definitely more knowledgeable and concerned about water reclamation.
1. Clarification.
Clarification is the process by which the water flows to the primary clarifiers which are settling basins where sludge settles to the bottom of the primary clarification tanks.
2. Activated Sludge Process.
The core treatment occurs in this step in which naturally occurring microbes are used to decompose the organic material in the watershed. .
3. Secondary Clarification.
After the microbes have completed the job of consuming waste material and removal of nitrogen the water flows to this secondary clarification where a small amount of aluminum sulfate is introduced as the water leaves.
Water first enters the plant at the headworks where it receives heavy mechanical screening. Bar rake screens trap large debris and screen wastewater. The water then leaves the headworks and flows into primary clarifiers which are settling basins where the water is left for hours in which most of the soils, called sludge settle at the bottom of the basin. The sludge is then sent out through underground piping to the County Sanitation Districts of O.
