Wastewater Management and Treatment Division
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Wastewater
The City of Tallahassee's Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) Program is a significant undertaking that will produce a high quality effluent with enhanced nutrient removal to further protect and preserve the valuable water resources of the region. More than $200 million in capital improvements to the City's wastewater treatment facilities will be designed and constructed over a six year period and will be fully operational by January 2014.
The City's wastewater treatment system is comprised of the Thomas P. Smith Water Reclamation Facility (TPSWRF), the Lake Bradford Road Wastewater Treatment Facility (LBRWWTF), the Southeast Farm, and the Tram Road Reuse Facility (TRRF). The treated effluent from TPSWRF and LBRWWTF is currently transmitted to the Southeast Farm for agricultural reuse and the TRRF provides public access reuse water.
The City's sanitary sewer collection system is comprised of approximately 675 miles of gravity pipe and is connected to over 15,000 manholes. The gravity system is supported by over 85 pumping stations using approximately 100 miles of force main. These pipes that carry sewage are completely separate from the system that carries your potable water and separate from the stormwater system.
This sewage system transports raw sewage from the homes and businesses in Tallahassee to one of two wastewater treatment facilities--the Lake Bradford Road (LBR) Wastewater Treatment Facility or the Thomas P. Smith (TPS) Water Reclamation Facility. These pipes that carry sewage are completely separate from the system that carries your potable water and separate from the stormwater system.
The
LBR facility has a design capacity of 4.5 million gallons per
day (MGD). The TPS facility can treat 26.5 MGD. These facilities are capable
of handling peak flows up to 55 MGD. The influent into both facilities is
monitored at several points throughout the city by the Industrial Pretreatment
Section with analytical support from the Water Quality Lab.
This serves to protect the delicate microbial ecosystem in each plant from
possible harm due to chemical toxicosis. It is the microbes that drive
the aerobic decomposition and anaerobic digestion of the raw sewage to
eventually form a safe effluent that can be dispersed back into the environment.
The by-products of this process are eventually separated into liquids
and a solids portion known as effluent and bio-solids, respectively. The influent, effluent biosolids and other parts of the process are constantly monitored by our Water Quality Lab for a variety of chemical parameters to ensure the City meets both state and federal regulations.
The majority of the treated water is reused for spray irrigation on agricultural crops and pasture. City facilities used for effluent spray irrigation include the Southwest Sprayfield, located adjacent to the TPS plant, and the innovative Southeast Farm Wastewater Reuse Facility located eight miles east of the TPS Facility. Approximately two million gallons a day are reused at the TPS facility for plant operations.
In addition, the City has placed into service a new water reuse treatment plant that will significantly enhance the environment. The new Tram Road Reuse Facility (TRRF) uses highly treated wastewater to irrigate the South Wood Country Club golf course, and an area high school. The TRRF is prepared to serve additional customers in the Southwood area and has a production capacity of 1.2 million gallons per day.
The biosolids from both facilities are processed at TPS, which utilizes thermal heat drying equipment. This drying system produces reusable "Class AA" biosolids, which can be sold as a beneficial fertilizer and soil conditioner to commercial nurseries, agricultural markets and other businesses. The drying unit became fully operational March of 2005 and the City ceased all land application of biosolids in December 2005.
In order to upgrade from Secondary Wastewater Treatment standards to Advanced Wastewater Treatment standards, existing equipment will either be modified or replaced in both the liquids processes and in the biosolids processes. The City has selected MWH Constructors, Inc. (MWHC) for the construction of the improvements and upgrades to the TPS. For more information and an update on the progress of this program, please visit the MWH Constructors project update website.
Quick Links
- FROG - Get the scoop on preventing Fats, Roots, Oils and Grease from damaging the sewer system.
- Killearn Lakes Plantation I & II Sewer Project - Providing safe and sanitary sewer service to Killearn Lakes Plantation. Information on how to connect, loan programs and billing information.
- Pretreatment Program -The Industrial Pretreatment Section regulates the discharge of wastes into the sanitary sewer system.
- Sewer Rates - Lower your sewer rates by conserving water during December through March.
- Sewer Connection Assistance Program - Homeowners, inside the city limits, who qualify, based on annual household income, can abandon their septic tanks and hook up to the city's sewer system at no charge.
- Tram Road Reuse Facility - The facility is part of the City's commitment to using treated wastewater in innovative and environmentally sensitive ways.
- Wastewater Treatment - The City of Tallahassee's sanitary sewer collection system is comprised of approximately 675 miles of gravity pipe and is connected to over 15,000 manholes.