Case Study: Planning for the Future with Consolidated Wastewater Treatment in Montgomery Township, New Jersey

Erin L. Dovel, E.I.T.

Kleinfelder

Abstract:

In ASCE’s 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, wastewater systems nationally scored a “D”, with an estimation that New Jersey will have 32.5 billion dollars of wastewater infrastructure needs over the next 20 years.  Comprehensive planning strategies are therefore crucial for States and municipalities to begin tackling the repair and rehabilitation of these systems.  In an effort to alleviate the financial and logistical burdens of aging infrastructure, Montgomery Township is in the process of consolidating wastewater treatment at recently upgraded facilities. 

Montgomery Township, New Jersey has historically owned and operated 8 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).  These plants are generally small in nature with under 700,000 gpd design capacity.  Two of the WWTPs were upgraded in the late 2000s with advanced treatment using membrane bioreactors.  In order to address aging infrastructure and reduce operating costs, the Township decided to study the benefits of closing aging facilities and consolidating flow into the recently upgraded WWTPs.  In 2012, a pumping station was constructed to remove the two smallest township-owned plants from operation.  Furthermore, a master planning study performed in 2012 and updated in 2014, identified potential cost effectiveness of closing other township-owned WWTPs through consolidated treatment or through treatment at two WWTPs not owned by the Township.  Of the nine consolidation scenarios evaluated, the most beneficial scenario was found to be the closure of the Riverside and Oxbridge WWTPs and consolidation of flows to the recently upgraded Pike Brook WWTP.  This alternative is estimated to yield net savings of approximately 2 million dollars. 

Speaker Bio: 

Erin Dovel has three years of private consulting experience. Ms. Dovel’s engineering experience includes water quality monitoring, GIS database management of sanitary sewer networks, environmental permitting, and design support for stormwater management and wastewater treatment projects.  Erin is an Engineer in Training in the State of New Jersey; she earned her B.S. in Civil Engineering from The College of New Jersey, and her M.S. in Civil Engineering from Villanova University.

Engineers: 

This seminar does qualify for 1.0 Professional Development Hour (PDH). A Certificate of Attendance will be available on site for AWRA-PMAS members only. The meeting price for non-members who wish to receive a Certificate of Attendance for the PDH is $10.00 ($3.00 for meeting + $7.00 for certificate). 

Please note: all lunch orders will close by noon on the day before the presentation. In addition, all lunch orders will need to be paid for online by this time. We are unable to refund the cost of lunch or meeting fees because they are paid ahead of time based on number of registrations.