CLEARLAKE >> The Southeast Regional Water Treatment Plant in Clearlake will get a new bio-solids removal system soon.
On Tuesday, the Lake County Board of Supervisors (BOS) unanimously approved an agreement with Absolute Aeration, from Greeley, Colorado, to install its Blue Frog Technology, which totals $350,000.
According to Grace Corbino, president of Absolute Aeration, the Blue Frog system moves water horizontally, rather than lifting water up. This movement keeps microbes in close contact with the bio-solids they digest, turning the bio-solids into carbon and methane.
The system also reduces odors, controls algae, increases lagoon capacity, extends the lagoon”s life, minimizes the use of chemicals and is energy efficient, which reduces annual operating and maintenance costs.
If the system does not meet the agreed performance, Absolute Aeration pledged to refund 70 percent of the contract, which totals $245,000.
A $150,000 deposit will be paid to the company following the agreement”s approval. After eight months and a 20 percent reduction in bio-solids, the county is to issue a payment of $100,000. Futhermore, after operating 14 months and an additional 20 percent reduction in bio-solids, a final payment of $100,000 will be made.
“Payment can be requested earlier and approved if performance goals have been met,” Lake County Special Districts Administrator Mark Dellinger said.
In 2010, the district began issuing bids for bio-solids removal. The process has been done six times.
“However, this comes at a significant cost,” Dellinger said.
A little more than $488,000 has been spent on bio-solids removal at the southeast plant. While the northwest plant, which serves the Upper Lake, Nice, Lucerne, North Lakeport, Kono Tayee and Paradise Valley communities, has cost a total of a little less than $569,000 to clean.
The Kelseyville plant has cost the least, totaling $124,000 for bio-solids removal.
The Southeast Regional Water Treatment Plant serves approximately 17,500 people with 7,850 service connections, according to information from the Lake County Special Districts.
Currently, the treatment for bio-solids uses floating aearators, which circulate air down approximately 24 inches. In contrast, the Blue Frog Technology uses motors with lower revolutions per minute to circulate water deep into the bio-solids layer.
“Over time, the sludge layer will be reduced to an equilibrium level of about 18 to 24 inches,” Dellinger said.
According to Corbino, a system installed in Bishop, Texas resulted in 31 percent reduction of bio-solids in four months. After eight months, the system reduced bio-solids by a total of 53 percent.
“You can expect a return on the investment in less than one year,” Corbino said.
Dellinger admitted the district was initially skeptical of the performance promised, but after Absolute Aeration, put together two presentation to engineering firms that the district works with on wastewater processes and the county dedicated time speaking to references provided by the company, his concerns were addressed.
“They both indicated the biological treatment is sound and can be compatible with our existing ? systems,” Dellinger said.
Additionally, pilot testing will be performed to confirm expectations.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
