The Riviera Utilities Wastewater Treatment Plant at Wolf Creek features the AquaNereda Aerobic Granular Sludge Technology and serves as a landmark installation. Located near the Gulf shores of southern Alabama, the City of Foley is a coastal community with southern charm. The area is a popular destination noted for its easy access to recreational water activities, top-rated golf courses and a quaint historic downtown.
Operated by Riviera Utilities, the wastewater treatment plant serves the greater Foley area with a population of approximately 20,000. Riviera Utilities had been operating an outdated biological treatment system consisting of 35-year-old oxidation ditches. The existing oxidation ditches were designed to treat an average flow of 2.0 mgd.
Instead of taking the straightforward approach of adding an additional ditch to increase treatment capacity, Riviera Utilities had the desire to future-proof the plant and prepare to meet more stringent effluent requirements, including biological nutrient removal. Working with Aqua-Aerobic Systems of Rockford, Illinois, a new AquaNereda system was designed to provide treatment for an average flow of 3.5 mgd and peak flow of 6.0 mgd.
The AquaNereda process
AquaNereda aerobic granular sludge technology is an advanced secondary wastewater treatment process that utilizes the attributes of granular biomass to provide biological treatment. The technology was highly appealing as an innovative approach to secondary treatment for a number of reasons, including:
The innate BNR capabilities provided by the layered microbial community of the granules enables the system to meet future TN and TP limits.
The high operating MLSS in excess of 8 g/L significantly reduces settling time minimizing system footprint by up to 75%.
Up to a 50% decrease in energy use due to reduced equipment demand, smart aeration control, and improved substrate and oxygen utilization with granular sludge.
The robust nature of the granules provide superior protection against plant upsets and toxic shocks compared to conventional activated sludge.
The AquaNereda technology at the Riviera Utilities Wastewater Treatment Plant consists of three biological treatment reactors capable of providing BNR for future total nitrogen and total phosphorus limits. Downstream polishing is performed by AquaDisk Pile Cloth Media Filters capable of achieving BOD and TSS concentrations of <5 mg/L. The plant has consistently met effluent requirements since startup in January 2020.
Aqua-Aerobic is dedicated to ensuring customer satisfaction. That commitment to producing quality equipment and process design and providing superior customer service has led to one happy customer in Foley, Alabama.
815-654-2501 | solutions@aqua-aerobic.com | www.aqua-aerobic.com
