pH Neutralization, pH adjustment » DEP

PAI Designs and Builds Greywater System for Worcester Polytechnic Insitute

Brian — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:10:38 +0000

Practical Applications, Inc. (PAI), a leading environmental engineering company, announces delivery of a water reclamation system to be installed at the future Sports and Recreation Center at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, MA. The system’s innovative design to reuse rainwater from the roof of the new LEED-certified center supports “WPI’s commitment to environmental sustainability.”

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Greywater System

The PAI Model 1860 Greywater System operates either manually or automatically from a straightforward main control panel with up-to-date system information and current alarm status. Rainwater is collected in a main reservoir and then pumped via one of two feed pumps through a Spears inlet suction strainer to remove large particulate matter such as roofing material and leaves. The strained water is then pumped through the Micro-Z inline multimedia filter which removes most of the suspended solids. The filtered greywater will be used in WPI’s cooling towers.

Space for new construction is often a premium and successful greywater projects such as this one will include appropriately-sized tanks to recover the maximum water amount yet minimize the tank’s footprint. The tanks for PAI’s greywater system “will collect 50,000 gallons of rainwater from the roof for the cooling system, reducing the building’s water consumption by more than 800,000 gallons per year.” WPI will be getting a system that fits their space as well as their budget.

Keeping costs low by choosing the right greywater system is also a concern for businesses. The Model 1860 Greywater System has a return on investment that has a payback of less than two years. For organizations like WPI who need to keep costs low that means they can be economically as well as environmentally smart. Janice Markey, executive vice-president of PAI explains, “The cost of water has gotten to the point where it makes sense to build these things now. Fifteen years ago it didn’t, but the cost is catching up to the environmental needs. It’s great because now businesses like WPI can be environmentally sensible and save their companies money.”

Practical Applications, Inc. has been designing, building, and operating wastewater treatment systems since 1994. Operating engineers and technicians design and build effective systems that provide optimal performance while remaining economical and competitive.

DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THIS RELEASE

Press Contact:
Wiwa Deepreecha
Practical Applications, Inc.
Boston, MA 617-423-5639
wiwa@pai-online.com

Wheelabrator Agrees To Pay $7.5 million MassDEP Fine

admin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:03:51 +0000

Wheelabrator has been found liable of environmental violations including repeatedly dumping wastewater into surrounding wetlands at their waste-to-energy facilities in Saugus, North Andover and Millbury and has agreed to pay the largest ever DEP fine resulting from an investigation.

Wheelabrator Saugus Plant

Wheelabrator North Andover Plant

Wheelabrator Millbury Plant

Read the details of the full investigation below:

http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/press/0511whls.htm

POTW Gets Into Trouble

admin — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:12:24 +0000

The Hooksett, NH waste treatment plant had an excursion that sent millions of disks contaminated with E. coli and enterococcae into the Merrimack river and onto the beaches of Seabrook, Salisbury and Plum Island. Read the full story via the link below:

http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x814635804/Disks-wash-up-on-shores/print

MA Wastewater Operator Exam Prep Course September 2010

Brian — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:26:18 +0000

The next round of our successful Wastewater Operator Exam Prep Course begins on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd.

REGISTER HERE

You may choose from any of the course days, or attend all of them, it’s up to you.

Practical Applications will cover the following topics in order to prepare you for the exam:

Wastewater Chemistry
Wastewater Math
Pollutants and Industrial Sources
Flow Measurement
Dosage Math
Wastewater Treatment Basics
pH Adjustment
Wastewater Equipment
Wastewater Sampling and Testing
Metals Treatment
Special Waste Treatment Methods
Health and Safety

REGISTER HERE

Center For Medical Science Chemical Kill System

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:47:10 +0000

For Immediate Release: August 17, 2010

Boston, MA – Practical Applications, Inc. (PAI), a leading environmental company, recently commissioned the chemical/biological decontamination system (chemical kill system) at the Center For Medical Science in Albany, NY.

Center For Medical Science Chemical Decontamination System Tanks

The Practical Applications, Inc. (PAI) Model# 1792 Chemical Kill System is designed to chemically treat waste water generated by the Center for Medical Science (CMS) laboratory prior to sewer discharge. This model consists of two batch waste water treatment tanks with secondary containment, two mixers, four LMI reagent pumps, two chemical storage tanks with secondary containment, two ABB ORP probes, two ABB pH probes, one residual chlorine analyzer, and one ABB effluent electromagnetic flow meter. Centralized system control is provided by the main control panel mounted outside the containment area. This control panel provides all required operator interactions and the pump station for the chlorine analyzer.

Center For Medical Science Chemical Decontamination System Control Station

The chemical kill system is designed to treat laboratory waste water for CMS’s BSL-3 facility. The treatment uses chemical dosing to kill bacteria, viruses, and spores that may be discharged from the laboratory equipment including sinks, autoclaves, glass washers and showers. Commissioning was achieved using a modified/deactivated strain of anthrax.

Capable of treating up to 28,000 gallons of waste water per day, the system is intended to operate automatically and is a duplex system, utilizing two complete treatment tanks so there is always one tank online to receive waste water. A centralized main control panel provides system control components for both tanks. Operator interaction is limited to daily inspections and maintenance procedures. The system will automatically batch process and discharge biologically inactive waste water. A vacuum collection system will gravity drain the waste water into the system. The chemical kill system enters treatment mode once the batch tank reaches an operator specified level. The waste water is mixed with chemical reagents until the ORP and pH set points are reached. The system then maintains that set point for a specific dwell time before discharging the contents to the sewer. The tank discharge is monitored for flow and residual chlorine concentration. PAI has incorporated its expert knowledge into the system’s computerized control such that numerous parameters are monitored to provide safe operation and predictive maintenance.

PAI has been designing, building, and operating waste water treatment systems since 1994. Our systems are designed and built by operating engineers and technicians who understand that an effective system must ensure performance while remaining economical to operate and maintain.

Press Contact:
Gary Broberg
Practical Applications, Inc.
Boston, MA 617-423-5639
gbroberg@pai-online.com

Download this press release as a PDF

Association of Boards of Certification

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:26:35 +0000

Practical Applications is pleased to announce our membership with the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC).

Association of Boards of Certification
Practical Applications is pleased to announce our Associate membership with the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC).

ABC offers a voluntary certification program to water treatment, distribution, collection, wastewater treatment, and industrial waste operators, water and wastewater laboratory analysts, plant maintenance technologists, and biosolids land appliers.

ABC certification is not only a way to protect public health and the environment, but provides numerous career benefits to both employees and employers. In addition, ABC’s Testing Service provides examinations for its Testing Clients. An active technical network of volunteer subject matter experts contribute to ABC’s Testing Service. Each exam discipline has established a Validation & Examination (V&E) committee. Over 70 industry professionals currently serve on ABC’s volunteer committees.

As an Associate member, Practical Applications, Inc. has the opportunity to serve on committees, network with other members and join over 100 certification programs, trainers, educational institutions and professional associations in providing a voice for the environmental certification industry.

Learn more on the ABC website by clicking the link below:

http://www.abccert.org/

MWRA Boil-Water Order

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:51:48 +0000

As you’ve likely heard, a massive water main break has resulted in communities east of Weston having to boil any water that will be ingested. That includes many of our customers in the Boston area. If you need assistance, Practical Applications can help determine if you can use your water, provide you with bacteriological testing as needed, and help with high purity water system flushes and filter changes once the order has been lifted.

Testing inquiries can be directed to compliance@pai-online.com.

O&M requests should be sent to sbertrand@pai-online.com.

FOR UPDATES, PLEASE VISIT THE MWRA SITE HERE: MWRA UPDATES

Wastewater Operator Status Change

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:51:05 +0000

If you are a current MA Wastewater Operator and need to change your status (active, inactive, etc.), please download the form below, or view our Training Page for more information.

Wastewater Operator Status Change
Download this PDF to change your operator status.

Wastewater Operator Status Change Form

Is There Mercury In Your Industrial Wastewater Discharge?

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:32:54 +0000

Is There Mercury In Your Industrial Wastewater Discharge?

This article was written by Practical Applications’ biologist Kimberly Baxter and originally appeared in the December 2005 issue of Plumbing Engineer magazine. A PDF of the article is available HERE.

Abstract

An assessment of sampling locations for three industrial wastewater effluent piping systems is presented. The assessments provided demonstrate that by installing sampling ports at the appropriate location along an effluent stream’s piping system, truly representative samples can be collected. These real and accurate results scientifically prove that a specific industrial wastewater discharge does not contain mercury levels that will trigger regulatory enforcement action.

MA DEP Mercury Regulations

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:52:49 +0000

Name & Citation of Regulation(s)

Collection, Recycling, Labeling and Sales Ban of Mercury-added Products; and Disposal Prohibition of Mercury-added Products in Solid Waste–310 CMR 19.00 (amended), 74.00 (amended), 75.00 (amended), 76.00 (added).

Brief Explanation and Rationale for Changes

Signed into law in July 2006, the “Massachusetts Mercury Management Act” is designed to keep mercury out of our trash and wastewater, where it is released into the environment. MassDEP is implementing this law in two phases. The Phase 1 regulations (promulgated on December 28, 2007) banned the sale of mercury-added products in Massachusetts unless the manufacturer registers the product with an interstate clearinghouse and establishes a collection program for the end-of-life products, banned schools from buying mercury-containing products, required auto manufacturers to collect and recycle mercury switches from “end of life” vehicles, required manufacturers of mercury containing lamps to educate consumers about mercury hazards and the requirement to recycle discarded lamps and to report on lamp recycling to MassDEP.

The Phase 2 regulations (promulgated on August 21, 2009) ban the sale in Massachusetts of specific mercury-added products, establish a procedure for manufacturers to apply for an exemption from the sales ban, and establish labeling requirements for mercury-added products that are sold in Massachusetts. The regulations also prohibit disposal of any mercury-added product in solid waste.

View the final regulations here: http://www.mass.gov/dep/public/reglist.htm or contact Practical Applications with any questions.