The WWTP currently operates four aeration basins, which are critical for meeting discharge requirements. However, over time, debris and grit accumulate at the bottom of these tanks, reducing their effective volume and hindering the mechanical equipment’s ability to function at peak efficiency.  When this accumulation becomes excessive, it triggers significant operational and biological challenges that reduce efficiency and can cause regulatory agencies to take action.  To maintain optimal performance, our objective is to clean one basin per year on a rotating schedule. Unfortunately, we have consistently fallen behind this target due to several compounding factors:

• Financial Constraints: Last year, a cleaning project was halted midway because the volume of debris was far greater than anticipated. This, combined with a significant rise in service costs since our previous cleaning cycle, caused us to exceed our available budget.
• Budget Depletion: In other instances, routine and unplanned emergency repairs have exhausted our maintenance funds before a purchase order for basin cleaning could be finalized.
• Weather and Capacity: Our facility cannot sacrifice treatment capacity during prolonged wet weather. Frequent rain forecasts have forced us to cancel scheduled cleanings to ensure we can handle increased hydraulic loads. See Exhibit A for more detailed information.