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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP2_SummerNewsletter2019theneighborhoodconnection published by the orange county sanitation district {Vol. 1, No. 6} Summer 2019 A s the summer weather heats up, more and more people flock to the beaches. Beach-goers have a passion for the ocean waters, and so does OCSD. Treated wastewater from Plant No. 2 is released through a 5-mile long ocean outfall in Huntington Beach. Our Ocean Monitoring Program, which is overseen by the United Stated Environmental Protection Agency and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board regularly monitors the marine life, sediment quality, and water quality within 35-square-miles of ocean off Huntington Beach. Water samples are collected weekly and the laboratory performs nearly 100,000 analysis on the water samples each year. According to the 2017-18 Marine Monitoring Annual Report, OCSD’s release of treated wastewater to coastal waters has had no significant impact on the marine environment or risks to human health. The full report can be found in the “Staying True to Our Mission” news article on our website, www.ocsd.com. Over the next several years, Orange County Sanitation District’s (OCSD) Capital Improvement Program is focusing on infrastructure and resource recovery. This OCSD publication is to keep you, our neighbors, informed about construction activities at our Huntington Beach treatment facility (Plant No. 2). Sailing Ocean Waters the Nerissa is our ocean monitoring and research vessel. According to a Greek myth, Nerissa was one of 50 sea goddess sisters who lived at the bottom of the sea protecting and assisting sailors. 94% of SoCal beaches earned “A” grades during the summer season. View the Annual Beach Report Card 2019 at www.healthebay.org. the neighborhood connection/summer 2019 | published by the orange county sanitation district FacilitiesMasterPlan OCSD created a Facilities Master Plan in 2017 to keep the two plants (Plant No. 1 in Fountain Valley and Plant No. 2 in Huntington Beach) and our collection system trunk sewers in tip top shape over the next 20 years. The plan consists of over 80 projects that will be constructed over time and allow us to continue with our wastewater operations. The environmental impacts of the projects are currently being analyzed per the California Environmental Quality Act requirements. The Notice of Preparation will be available in the coming weeks for public review and two meetings will be held to discuss the proposed projects. Please visit www.ocsd.com/CEQA for further details on projects, as well as meeting dates and locations. The Ocean Outfall System project adjacent to the Santa Ana River is constructing a new low flow pump station and a new plant water pump station. Cement deep soil mixing is taking place to improve the ground capacity and strength by improving the soils underneath the location of the new structures. A mixing rig will construct cement-mixed columns extending 45 feet deep below the ground surface. This work will take place over the next few months. Some activities may be loud or noticeable. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information on this project, visit www.ocsd.com/plant2. DIG A LITTLE DEEPER the neighborhood connection/summer 2019 | published by the orange county sanitation district Question: How many wet tons of biosolids are currently produced per day as a result of OCSD’s treatment process? Answer: On average, around 550 tons, or 1,100,000 pounds per day! To put in perspective, the average standard car weighs around 2 tons. With the centrifuges replacing the dewatering belt presses, the amount of biosolids will be reduced by approximately one-third because more water (and weight) will be extracted from the total amount produced. Imagine laundry as it goes through the washer. The cycle includes a wash, rinse, and ends with a spin to remove the water. The idea with the spin cycle is to remove as much water to reduce drying time either in the dryer or when hanging up to dry. The Sludge Dewatering & Odor Control project is putting the “spin cycle” on biosolids, the nutrient-rich, treated organic matter recovered through the treatment of wastewater. Previously, biosolids would go through dewatering belt presses where water was squeezed out. The “spin cycle” is replacing the aging belt presses with centrifuges to make drier biosolids. The centrifuges are a high-speed process that uses the force from rapid rotation of a cylindrical bowl to separate liquid from wastewater solids. These new dewatering centrifuges are operational, and the obsolete belt press facilities are being demolished. The project will be complete by next year. There is a similar project at our Plant No. 1 facility in Fountain Valley that will complete construction by the end of this year. Centrifuges are able to dewater biosolids more efficiently than belt presses, producing drier biosolids resulting in a reduction in truck hauling and management expenses in an estimated savings of $4 million per year for both Plants No. 1 and 2. Adding a Spin Cycle to Biosolids Treatment This project included the addition of five new dewatering centrifuges which replace the aging belt filter presses. Need to get a hold of us? Reach your community liaisons at constructionhotline@ocsd.com or call 714.378.2965. Check out our website at www.ocsd.com/construction. Come for a tour of our Huntington Beach facility and learn more about the wastewater treatment process. Upcoming tour dates: Friday, August 16 at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, September 14 at 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 18 at 9:30 a.m. Email forinformation@ocsd.com or call (714) 593-7135 to sign up. Registration is required at least one week prior to the tour date. Tour may be cancelled if a minimum number of reservations has not been met. What’s over the fence? the neighborhood connection/summer 2019 | published by the orange county sanitation district Follow us on social media @OCSEWERS. 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, California 92708 Celebrating 65 years of Impressions Saturday, July 27 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. • There will be games, activities and more • Tour OC’s largest wastewater treatment facility • Compost Giveaway OCSD is Turning 65 and We Are Celebrating 10844 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708