Ongoing Conversion Initiative Yields Benefits Without Interruptions
Upgrades of Three Clarifiers
This project, completed in 2014, is the third conversion of a Spaulding clarifier to a helical upflow solids contact clarifier at the municipally-owned water treatment plant. The first-ever such retrofit was accomplished by Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) in 1999 followed by a second conversion in 2004. The actual cost of the replacement is less than that of a new unit. With the retrofit units, CWLP can now also treat more water to a higher quality, while using the same water treatment chemicals in all clarifiers.
The innovative upgrade increased clarifier capacity by 67%, from 6 MGD to 10 MGD, while retaining the original 70-foot-diameter footprint on a constrained site. In addition, the upgrade eliminated motor-driven scraper components, promoted improved treatment chemical performance, reduced clarifier effluent turbidity and increased removal of organics while reducing maintenance costs.