Black River Wastewater Treatment Plant, Peak Flow Enhancements

The City of Dunn’s Black River Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is subject to rainfall induced inflow and infiltration (I/I) and has experienced several instances when Operators reduced the influent pumping capacity, resulting in SSO’s on the interceptor upstream of the WWTP. The City selected a Design-Build team of T.A. Loving Company and DMP to implement these improvements.

The Black River WWTP was constructed in the early 1980’s and has been modified several times over subsequent years. DMP has designed previous projects that replaced the influent pump station, preliminary treatment facilities, and added flow equalization to provide more wet weather capacity.  However, the WWTP’s peak flow was limited to approximately 7 MGD due to hydraulic restrictions and limitations occurring between the aeration basins and effluent pump station. This project is another step to increase the WWTP’s hydraulic capacity by installing new flow distribution chamber, larger piping; refurbishing an existing clarifier and adding a fourth clarifier; and providing additional chlorine contact time. Overall, these improvements position the WWTP for a future capacity expansion.