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The solids handling portion of the Amherst Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) is a multi-step process that separates solids from wastewater. Components of the process are as follows:
1. Equalization Tanks
The solids treatment facility treats approximately 93,600 gallons per day of primary solids that are wasted from the Equalization Tanks. Solids that settle in the four Equalization Tanks (3-1, 3-2, 40-1, and 40-2) are pumped by four primary feed pumps to Building 4 for subsequent processing. The settled solids (sludge) consist of a mix of primary solids and cosettled waste activated sludge.
2. Sludge Strainers
Two Strainpress ® Sludge Strainers are designed to remove large solids from the sludge to prevent the solids from causing problems further downstream. The strainers screen out the large solids and press them into a relatively dry mass that is discharged to a roll off container for later removal to a landfill. The remaining strained sludge passes on to one of the four 86,600 gallon tanks, which are normally used to hold screened solids before they pass on to the Gravity Belt Thickener. However, in the event of an extended plant shutdown digested solids can also be stored in these tanks.
3. DAF Tanks 1, 2, 3, 4, and South and North Sludge Holding Tanks
Four 86,600-gallon DAF tanks are used between processes. Normally, the DAF tanks are used to hold screened solids before they pass on to the Gravity Belt Thickener. However, in the event of an extended plant shutdown digested solids can also be stored in the DAF tanks.
The South (Blending) Tank holds up to 217,000 gallons of sludge from the Gravity Belt Thickener. The sludge is thoroughly mixed in the South Tank so as to provide a homogenous feed to the anaerobic digesters. The North (Storage) Tank holds up to 217,000 gallons of digested sludge from the Digester before being pumped to the centrifuge process. Both the South Tank and the North Tank have mixers running at approximately 3 rpm.
4. Centrifuge
Digested solids are dewatered using a centrifuge. The Dewatering Centrifuge Feed Pumps transfer digested solids from the North Tank to one of the three centrifuges. Generally, only the large centrifuge and its corresponding feed pumps are used for this purpose. However, the other two smaller centrifuges are available for backup.
Polymer is added to thicken the sludge and aid in the centrifuging process. The Polymer pump feeds polymer at a rate of 26-28 gal/min. The feed sludge is approximately 4.5% solids. The centrifuge is cylindrical at one end and conical at the outlet end. The centrifugal force pushes the greater density solids portion of sludge to the shell wall where a screw conveyor pushes it out the conical discharge end. The centrate (liquid portion) flows out the opposite end where it is pumped back to the Stage I influent. The remaining sludge, at approximately 25% solids is transported to the drying area via conveyor.
Note that presently only one of the four available centrifuge feed pumps is generally used. Centrifuge feed pump is piped to the large centrifuge but is not used, and the two small centrifuges and their corresponding pumps are only exercised monthly to prevent them from freezing up. Also note that when necessary, undigested sludge is fed from the DAF Tanks or the South Tank to the Centrifuge and the dewatered sludge is sent directly to the landfill.
Engineering Department
1100 N Forest Rd
Williamsville,
NY
14221
(716)
631-7154
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Mon-Fri)
Engineering Department
Engineering Support Division
Sewer Maintenance Division
Water Pollution Control Division
Environmental Control
Engineering Services Division
Armstrong, Brian
Director of Engineering Services
716-631-7154 ext.
7412
Boudreau, Jessica
Project Manager
716-631-7154 ext.
7427
Hitzel, Michael
Architect
716-631-7154 ext.
7069
Pontikos, Asher
GIS Analyst
716-631-7154 ext.
7415
Schregel, Chris
Project Manager
716-631-7154 ext.
7416
Sewer Maintenance Division
Reberholt, Vaishali
Assistant Town Engineer
716-631-7154 ext.
7421
Burow, Sarah
Senior Engineer Assistant
716-631-7154
Goldstein, Noemi
Messenger
716-631-7154 ext.
7422
Princess, Brian
General Crew Chief
716-631-7154 ext.
7434
Wastewater Treatment Facility
Colter, Quinton
Pretreatment Coordinator
716-691-9771 ext.
8028
Burroughs, Jeffrey
Town Engineer
716-631-7154 ext.
7418
Suszynski, Jerome
Assistant Plant Superintendent
716-691-9771 ext.
8036
Abramo, Joe
Electronics Technician
Barnes, Brian
Senior GIS Analyst
716-631-7154 ext.
7069
Berger, Corey
Senior Electrician
Dean, W. Tom
Purchasing Agent
716-691-9771 ext.
8041
Hoose, Richard
Electronics Technician
Poslinski, Michael
Senior Engineer Assistant
716-691-9771 ext.
8045
Process Control
Process Control
716-691-9771 ext.
8015
Rink, Richard
Project Manager
Russell, Crystal
Accounts Payable
716-691-9771 ext.
8010
Struzik, Gregory
Network Coordinator
716-691-4331 ext.
8025
Tirone, Mark
Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
716-691-9771 ext.
8017
Vaillancourt, Andrew
Senior Electrician
716-691-9771 ext.
8053
Citizen’s Guide to Identifying and Preventing Stormwater Pollution
The Town of Amherst is a MS4 Community and together with the Western New York Stormwater Coalition, Amherst is providing this Citizen’s Guide to help identify and prevent stormwater pollution. Please see the attached document for helpful tips on understanding illicit discharges and things you can do to protect water quality. For questions or to report an issue, email sburow@amherst.ny.us. Thank you for doing your part to keep our water clean!
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