Majdalani, J G (2010) Management, operation, and maintenance of wastewater systems. DE thesis, Lamar University - Beaumont, USA.
Abstract
The goal of this study is to provide a guide for the management, operation, and maintenance of a typical domestic, commercial, and industrial wastewater system serving a population of 100,000 or larger. The study will take into account that wastewater industries are regulated by state and federal agencies. The large number of wastewater treatment plants and sanitary sewer lift stations, miles of gravity systems and pressure mains varying in material type, size, depth, and age make it very difficult and expensive to operate and maintain a wastewater system. Wastewater infrastructure is greatly influenced by the aggressive environment that is present around the system at all times. Unstable soil conditions, high temperatures, flat terrain, and high annual rainfall accelerate system corrosion. The maintenance of every component in the wastewater system is essential for prolonging its life and maximizing its capacity. Changing regulatory requirements, growing population and economy, aging infrastructure, and advancing technologies must be considered as part of the daily operation of a wastewater system. Inflow/infiltration (I/I) of storm water entering the collection system limit its capacity, increase cost of treatment, negatively impact customer relations, and cause wet weather discharges. The reduction of I/I is an important element in a successful wastewater system's operation. The Sanitary Sewer Overflow Initiative (SSOI) is a tool made available by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that can be used by municipalities to reduce Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) in a timely manner while avoiding fines. Several rehabilitation techniques are available to replace sanitary sewer pipes and related appurtenances. However, optimizing the wastewater system's operations requires rehabilitation as well as management of existing operational infrastructure. Capital improvement projects must be constructed utilizing a strong construction management program that insures a high quality final product, built to specifications, and exceed its life expectancy. Security must be integrated in every component of a wastewater system to deter potential attackers. It is the responsibility of the utility system managers to provide protection to the critical sites and the public. Finally, funding is required for an efficient management, operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and capital improvements program (CIP). All funding sources must be evaluated to minimize the impact on the customers and maximize the effect of the final product. The objective of this field study will be satisfied using the methodology of merging the actual field experiences with theoretical principles to provide a practical approach to efficiently manage, operate, and maintain large wastewater systems. The merging methodology is made possible because of the author's twenty five years of wastewater experience.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Koehn, E |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | corrosion; customer relations; funding; life expectancy; population; rehabilitation; security; weather |
| Index terms: | environmental quality, funding, high temperature, customer relation, infiltration, corrosion, methodology, population, program, overflow, weather, municipality, life expectancy, agency, specification, manager, rainfall, field study, sewer, improvement project |
| Subjects: | production management, sustainability assessment, research methods, demography, practitioner, climate science, environmental science, economic analysis, contractual condition, software systems, infrastructure and transport systems, administrative law, thermal systems, sociology, air quality, participation process, material degradation and durability, fluid mechanics |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Legal Issues, Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Business Strategy, Contract Administration, Digital Applications, Urban Studies |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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