Natchez Wastewater Treatment Facility Finds Success with New System

A popular magazine at the SRS Crisafulli offices is Treatment Plant Operator (TPO), which serves municipal water system operators.

The November 2011 issue of TPO featured the Natchez, Mississippi Wastewater Treatment Facility in their Top Performer - Biosolids section, with an article titled "Sun Dried Success". 

"Natchez is the site of a new “greenhouse” solar biosolids drying system" states TPO.

The American Council of Engineering Companies recently awarded WGK, Inc., the general civil/engineering and surveying firm for this project, their Grand Conceptor's Award for the design of the upgrades to the plant.  Congratulations to WGK!

Natchez has two, 3-acre holding ponds.  Prior to their system upgrade, the disposal process for the sludge from these holding ponds was expensive and time consuming.  Natchez WWTF hauled their biosolids - with solids content of 10% - and disposed of the material using liquid injection at a nearby site. 

Today, the wastewater treatment plant produces a biosolid with at least 75% solids that meets class A standards.  A SRS Crisafulli FLUMP dredge helps the plant accomplish this new standard successfully.

Photo Credit:  TPO magazine, November 2011

Installing a FLUMP dredge eliminated transportation and equipment rentals costs, and reduced environmental risks. The total project impact has reduced operating expenses by at least $200,000/per annum.

Michael Stewart, Natchez Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager, told SRS Crisafulli their goal was "not to make money but to save money."  Michael said they "save money every time they start the FLUMP dredge."

The Natchez Wastewater Treatment system went online a little over a year ago.  Today, their Crisafulli FLUMP dredge is operating 8 hours a day, while in production, and is going strong.  The Crisafulli FLUMP dredge pumps the dredged sludge from the ponds to a 65,000 gallon tank.  The sludge is then pumped to a belt press conveyor system.   The FLUMP dredge fills this 65,000 gallon tank twice a day.

The Natchez Wastewater Treatment Facility intends to resell the sun dried product to farmers. The wastewater treatment facility will not only save money with their new system, but will also make money.

Do watch the November 2011 TPO video of the Natchez system, narrated by Michael Stewart, Plant Manager.  He does an excellent job of explaining the art of this 5 million galls/day rated wastewater treatment facility, serving a population of 30,000.

Read the TPO "Sun Dried Success" article.

Read Natches Democrat article "Water Works awarded for dealing with your waste".