Sludge Digester Malfunctions
at North End Water Pollution Control Center
Released: 3:06 a.m.
NEWS @ A GLANCE:
Winnipeg, MB - A sludge digester at the North End Water Pollution Control Centre at 2230 Main Street malfunctioned at 6:00 am on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Wastewater treatment was not interrupted as a result of the malfunction.
(for more details, please read the full media release below) |
Winnipeg, MB - A sludge digester at the North End Water Pollution Control Centre at 2230 Main Street malfunctioned at 6:00 am on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Wastewater treatment was not interrupted as a result of the malfunction. The only noticeable effect was a rotten egg smell from the release of sludge gas from about 6:00 am to noon on Sunday.
Excess pressure in one of the digesters lifted the roof and damaged internal and external piping. Crews were on site within 30 minutes and immediately took the digester out of service.
City of Winnipeg officials are investigating to determine the cause of the malfunction and the extent of the damage. It's too early to estimate the repair cost.
There are six sludge digesters, but only five are required for normal operation. The sixth digester is used a backup when the other digesters are taken out of service for maintenance.
The Province of Manitoba was advised of the malfunction.
In the sludge digesters, bacteria that do not need oxygen (anaerobic bacteria) feed on the organic material in an oxygen-free environment. Heat exchangers keep the temperature at 38O Celsius. Bacteria feed on the sludge for 10-20 days and decompose it. This reduces the odour and organic matter in the sludge. The decomposition produces sludge gas, about 65% methane, which is used to heat the treatment plant and the sludge in the digesters.
The North End Pollution Control Centre, the largest of three wastewater treatment plants serving the city, treats about 70% of Winnipeg’s wastewater. It serves most of the old City of Winnipeg, part of St. Boniface, all of East, West and North Kildonan, Transcona, and part of St James. Sludge from all three treatment plants is treated at the North End plant because the South End and West plants do not have digesters.
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