Until recently, facultative treatment ponds have been the norm for winery, food processing, and industrial wastewater treatment. With recent advances in water reuse technologies, along with the development of biological and membrane treatment processes, industry is gradually shifting to these new methodologies. Nevertheless, facultative treatment ponds will continue to prevail for some time.
BIOLOGY AT WORK IN FACULTATIVE TREATMENT PONDS
Facultative treatment ponds are designed to hold wastewater in contact with bacteria and oxygen long enough for the organic material to be reduced in strength. This process seems straightforward, but there are some challenges to operating a pond. A living biological process is involved, and it is critical that the pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, detention time and biology are all in balance. And since these ponds are regulated by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, as well as governing agencies in other states, land application of the treated wastewater must be documented and meet standards established by these agencies.
THE PONDSENTRY® SOLUTION
Making a difference in the operation of such ponds is Heritage Systems' PondSentry Aeration and Compliance Management program. At the heart of the system is a PLC-based control, which responds to real-time feedback from a sensor located in the pond, to regulate the dissolved oxygen levels in the pond by turning on aerators.
Since its introduction into the wine community, our PondSentry control has saved, on average, 50% to 60% of the electrical usage and associated electrical costs in pond operation. That’s sustainability!
A SOLUTION WITH NO CAPITAL COSTS TO YOU
Best of all there are no capital costs associated with our service. Heritage Systems installs and maintains PondSentry equipment free of charge. You pay a flat monthly fee for our PondSentry Aeration and Compliance Management service. And in most cases, the fee for this service is less than the electrical cost savings achieved with PondSentry.