Bugs or Microorganisms?
To the Editor:
Our wastewater treatment plant staff enjoys your articles on the various plants in the USA. The write-up on the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority’s Big Coppitt Regional Water Reclamation Facility, headlined “Bug-Driven Performance” (TPO, January 2012) was excellent, but it grated us a little bit, like scratching your fingernails across a chalkboard.
Why? Bugs! The majority of treatment at a plant like Big Coppitt is done by microorganisms that are not bugs, but rather bacteria. As mentioned in the article, indicator organisms are looked at, such as those that appear on the Tetra Tech chart shown in the article, but that’s just what they are — indicator microorganisms.
Our lab technician also makes adjustments based on what is seen in the microscope — just one of the parameters in a properly managed treatment plant. Tom Pfiester should change his informal title from “bug farmer” to “microorganism generator.” Or is that too long of a title? Just a thought!
Joe Borowitz
Operator Trainer
Watchtower Wastewater Treatment Plant
Wallkill, N.Y.
