Once upon a time, the University of California—Davis wastewater treatment plant had a manually controlled aeration system for its oxidation ditch. Frustrated with limitations on the system, treatment plant staff began looking

• Gather ye solids. Under a consent order to minimize untreated wastewater discharges during wet weather events, Columbus, Ohio, pilot-tested two promising high-rate clarification systems. Both use ballasted flocculation to treat wet weather flows.
• Rain check. Today, many cities are challenged to control CSOs and SSOs and build abatement facilities to improve water quality. Storage tunnels can help keep overflows at bay.
• Cutting through the FOG. Fats, oils, and grease are the bane of collection systems. But when treated properly, FOG can yield both environmental and economic benefit.
• Fix it or replace it? Wonder whether you should repair that recirculation pump or buy a new one? Planned condition assessments saved this California municipality more than $100,000.
• Perfect project planning. Bypassing 50 mgd while repairing a 12-ft by 9-ft concrete conduit is no simple task. But meticulously planning and constant communication enabled one utility to manage such a project while maintaining its 11-year record of no numerical discharge permit violations.
• Confidence boost. Get more out of your mandatory drinking water reports. Why spend the time and money to produce a bare-bones flyer, when a little more effort investment can turn your Consumer Confidence Report into your most effective public relations tool.
• Communication Is king. Faced with major construction in a crowded neighborhood, planners reached out to the community. What they found was valuable input to the project’s design and construction phases and reduced costs.