A Winning Duo

George Calloway and Joe Derbyshire combined knowledge and expertise to transform their facility into an award-winning nutrient removal plant.

Feb 15, 2011 | by Trude Witham |

Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) Enhanced Nutrient Removal Nitrogen Removal Phosphorus Removal Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) Nutrient Testing Biosolids Andritz Separation, Inc. Hydro International Invensys Operations Management Wonderware Rockwell Automation Siemens Water Technologies Corp. Somat Company TrojanUV Fine Screen Grit Handling/Removal/Hauling Sand Filter UV Disinfection Programmable Logic Controllers/Timers SCADA System Screw Press Dewatering Equipment

A Winning Duo — George Calloway, plant superintendent (left), and Joe Derbyshire, director of utilities. (Photography by Rick Maloof)

A Winning Duo — Joe Derbyshire’s experience in biological treatment and George Calloway’s expertise in controls bring impressive performance results at the Fruitland Wastewater Treatment Plant.

A Winning Duo — Joe Derbyshire and George Calloway discuss process control adjustments.

A Winning Duo — The Fruitland facility meets stringent nutrient requirements to help protect water quality in Chesapeake Bay.

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George Calloway and Joe Derbyshire came from different backgrounds: Calloway from a machine shop business he owned and operated, and Derbyshire from a lifetime in water and wastewater treatment. Yet they combined their strengths, ingenuity and hard work to operate the City of Fruitland (Md.) Wastewater Treatment Plant, built as a biological nutrient removal (BNR) facility, as an enhanced nutrient removal (ENR) operation. “Because our effluent ultimately reaches Chesapeake Bay, our nutrient removal specs are fairly stringent, with a monthly average phosphorus of 2.0 mg/l and total nitrogen of 10.0 mg/l,” says Derbyshire, director of utilities for the City of Fruitland. “We

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