The Latest Aqua-Aerobic® MBR is Operating Successfully at a California Casino Installation!
Rockford, IL, March 17, 2009 - Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. recently commissioned an
Aqua-Aerobic® MBR Membrane Bioreactor at the newly constructed Quechan Paradise Casino in Winterhaven, California. Quechan selected the Aqua-Aerobic® MBR system for treatment of its wastewater due to its small footprint, high quality effluent, and low energy consumption. The project utilized a design-build concept to meet the customer's objective of start-up prior to the peak tourist season. Aqua-Aerobic worked closely with the engineer and contractor to get the facility constructed within a several month period so it would be fully functional prior to the casino's Grand Opening deadline.
Although the Quechan Aqua-Aerobic® MBR system is not required to meet California's Title 22 reuse requirements (since it is located on Native American owned land), it was designed to meet these objectives. As is the tradition of many Native American communities, the Quechan Tribe's intent was to attain an even higher standard of effluent quality with strict limits set on both Nitrogen and Phosphorus. Treatment operations began in mid-January 2009, and the casino opened a month later. As anticipated for a Grand Opening, the Aqua-Aerobic® MBR was to realize an increase in flow from < 2% to nearly 100% capacity overnight. To accomplish this, Aqua presented a unique start-up plan, which included several weeks of supplemental feed of both organics and nutrients. Due to this proper planning, a large expense for hauling seed-sludge was avoided, and the MBR met the effluent quality objectives throughout the weekend of the Grand Opening. Despite realizing significant fluctuations in daily flows and loads, the facility continues to record exceptional operating data with minimal operator input.
Quechan's MBR is designed to treat an average daily flow of 0.15 mgd with expected performance objectives of: 5 mg/l BOD, 10 mg/l Total Nitrogen, 5 mg/l TSS and < 2 NTU. Although the plant is not required to meet a specific Phosphorus objective, it monitors Phosphorous for reuse purposes. With an annual total precipitation of 3", the effluent shall be reclaimed to supply a drip irrigation system for the casino's landscaping and a future golf course. The Aqua-Aerobic® MBR system is installed inside a building with separate rooms for: process equipment, pumps, chemical feed equipment, blowers, and controls, thus satisfying the customer's small footprint objective.
Quechan Paradise Casino is currently planning an expansion that includes a second hotel, gaming facility, and onsite golf course. The Aqua-Aerobic® MBR system is designed to treat the future flow of 0.25 mgd with only the addition of two membrane modules. Since all of the tankage and biological treatment equipment is sized to meet this future flow, expansion of the treatment system will be easy.
For more information on the Aqua-Aerobic® MBR system, please visit
www.aqua-aerobic.com/aquaMBR.asp
