The amount of wastewater we produce on a daily basis is astonishing. However, lagoon water treatment is one of the ways through which we manage wastewater without constituting a nuisance to the environment. In residential areas, common sources of wastewater include bathroom usage, dishwashing, laundry, and more. For commercial spaces, sewage may be produced by beauty salons, production companies, auto repair shops, and more.
Wastewater is 99% water. However, it’s the 1% that raises the issue of water treatment. Typically, this 1% contains hazardous and dangerous materials that need to be appropriately handled. Lagoon water treatment is one of the two ways to dispose of wastewater properly. The other is via a septic tank.
Throughout this blog, we will discuss the major details of lagoon water treatment. From how it works to the best practices for treating wastewater, we’ll go into the nitty-gritty. But first, what does a lagoon system look like?
What is a Lagoon Water Treatment System?
A conventional lagoon waste treatment system should have two major parts. The first is a plumbing system complete with pipes. This is designed to carry water to the second part — the lagoon. This can be described as a standing water body where treatment steps are carried out to ensure the safe reintroduction of clean water into the ecosystem.
Typically, treatment works on the natural action of the environment. The open-top ensures that evaporation reduces the liquid volume of the water. Furthermore, solids settle to the bottom, forming sludge that must be extracted and disposed of correctly. The aerobic layer introduces microbes and oxygen, thereby converting waste to ammonia, carbon dioxide, and phosphates.
For safe lagoon water treatment, there are a few specifications that a lagoon should meet.
- It should have a maximum seepage rate of ⅛ inch every day. This prevents untreated waste from getting into groundwater.
- All sides should be enhanced with a watertight material. Effectively, it should be 100% waterproof.
- It should be surrounded by a fence that is at least 4-foot high. This fence can be made from welded wire, barbed wire, or woven wire.
- A concrete pad sufficient enough to protect the efficiency of the waterproof liner should be installed right below the outlet pipe. This reduces the active load placed on the system by wastewater.
Wastewater Treatment: Governing Rules and Requirements
The best lagoon water treatment practices ensure that not a single pinch of waste escapes into the atmosphere. As a rule, every drop of wastewater must be effectively treated. It cannot be used for any of the following:
- Irrigating a garden or lawn
- Filling a pond
- Run to a nearby body of water
- Dumped in a cesspool
- Discharged to surface
How To Maintain a Lagoon Water Treatment System
For optimal lagoon water treatment service, there are a few things that need to be done. In fact, some of them have to be done periodically. For starters, when handling lagoon wastewater, always ensure to wear personal protective equipment. This includes gloves, face masks, and safety goggles.
Managing solid waste
To ensure that your lagoon water treatment system works well, solid waste must be extricated and disposed of using the proper city channels. These include but are not limited to:
- Facial tissue
- Diapers
- Cigarette butts
- Feminine products
- Paper towels
As much as possible, try not to dispose of oil or grease using your drain. Most of the time, it only ends up clogging the plumbing.
Disposing of hazardous materials
Lagoon water treatment is not designed to handle substantial amounts of hazardous materials like medication, solvents, paint, paint thinners, insecticides, etc. Doing this offsets the delicate balance of the ecosystem that works to treat wastewater. Also, avoid using bathroom cleaning products that contain bleach. These have the same effect.
Manage lagoon vegetation
The presence of grass in the dike area inside the fence prevents erosion. However, it should be cut frequently to keep a maximum growth level of 6 inches. Outside the fence, the grass should be higher than 6 inches.
Air movement is crucial to lagoon water treatment. Therefore, to ensure the proper flow of air over the lagoon, remove anything within 50 feet that’s taller than the dike.
Check on water levels
For the best results, check on the water level at roughly the same time every month. Additionally, you should keep a log of the records to check for any anomalies. To make sure that your lagoon water treatment works great, the water levels must be around 2-5 feet. During dry spells, you may have to add more water to ensure it reaches the appropriate standards.
Additionally, it may be best to call in the services of a professional. A lagoon water treatment professional can help monitor sludge depth, especially in the center of the structure. Furthermore, they can check for leaks, erosions, and other structural issues that may affect the integrity of the system.
Reference:
https://water.unl.edu/article/wastewater/maintaining-lagoon-system
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