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Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant (180 MGD) Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade. Baltimore, Maryland.

The 180 MGD Back River Plant is being upgraded to meet Maryland’s goals for Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorous (TP) of 3 mg/l and 0.2 mg/l, respectively.

WRA provided engineering services to conduct in-depth studies, full-scale plant testing, pilot testing, process modeling and alternative treatment process evaluations to plan the Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) program for the Back River Plant. Best Available Technology (BAT) ENR alternatives were reviewed and evaluated based on cost (capital and O&M), process and operational reliability, and ability to meet the ENR requirements. Recommended improvements included: (Project 1) modification of existing Modified Ludzak Ettinger (MLE) reactors in existing Activated Sludge Plants 2 and 3, new deep bed denitrification filter filters (52), pumping station, supplemental carbon and chemical facilities, and backwash treatment faciities and (Project 2) new Activated Sludge Plant 4. WRA prepared preliminary designs for the entire ENR program and final designs and contract documents for Project 1 and is providing services during the construction of Project 1 facilities.

Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant (180 MGD) Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade
Project Highlights

Wastewater Treatment

Design included the 300 MGD denitrification pumping station, deep bed denitrification filters, backwash and compressed air systems, chemical and supplemental methanol systems, modifications to existing activated sludge plants, flow distribution control structure, process control and related process elements.

Mechanical

Building mechanical designs for the denitrification pumping station, filter building and galleries, chemical building, backwash treatment building, flow distribution control building and electrical buildings were prepared by an MBE subconsultant. WRA provided design guidance, supervision, design workshops and QA/QC review.

Electrical

WRA provided supervision and design guidelines, conducted design workshops and performed QA/QC review.

Instrumentation and Controls

WRA provided design guidelines and supervision, conducted design workshops and performed QA/QC review.

Civil/Land Development

WRA provided design supervision for site design including grading, paving, sediment and erosion control, stormwater management, permitting and related services and conducted design workshops and performed QA/QC review.

Architecture

The architectural design concept for the denitrification facilities was developed to match existing plant facilities. New facilities included the denitrification pumping station, filter building with process and administrative areas, chemical building, backwash treatment building, flow distribution control building and electrical buildings.

Structural

WRA designed the backwash treatment facility and flow distribution control facility. WRA provided design guidelines and supervision of structural designs for the denitrification pumping station, filter building and galleries and chemical building, and conducted design workshops and QA/QC review.

Geotechnical

Geotechnical design included developing a boring plan for the facilities, engaging a driller, witnessing the soil boring operations and preparing a geotechnical report with basis for the foundation design for each structure.

Water/Wastewater Facilities

WRA is providing a Field Resident Engineer for this plant upgrade. Responsibilities include reviewing contractor schedules and submittals as well as providing technical input for RFI’s, substitutions, Work Change Directives, Change Orders, system start-ups and project closeout documentation.