Wastewater Treatment Design: NAS Fallon WWTP

Abstract

A new wastewater treatment facility is needed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon. NAS Fallon recently became the new home for the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), ensuring that the base will remain highly active for years to come. Between residential and commercial flows, the existing facilities accepts and treats approximately 0.25 MGD of wastewater. The existing facility holds an outdated design and compromised structures. In addition to weak infrastructure, ever increasing effluent regulations have created the need for a new facility a priority. While wastewater loading flows are not expected to drastically increase, a reliable, effective facility is needed for the future operation of NAS Fallon. Upon completion of this new facility, NAS Fallon will be capable of successfully accepting, treating, and disposing of wastewater flows up to 1 MGD for the foreseeable future. The new facility will be composed of a full array of wastewater treatment processes. Influent wastewater flows will be collected in wet and dry well system at the mouth of the facility. From there, flows will be pumped through a coarse and fine screening process to remove large debris. Following screening, water will enter an aerated grit chamber for high rate particle removal to promote water clarity. Next, a stepfeed biological nutrient removal process will be utilized to remove nitrogen and phosphorus content in order to meet effluent regulations. Then, circular sedimentation tanks will allow for any residual solids to be removed. Finally, the wastewater will pass through disinfection where viruses and bacteria will be managed before the water leaves the facility. Similar to the existing facility, effluent water will be discharged into the drain system feeding the Stillwater Nation Wildlife Refuge. Full considerations regarding design alternatives and cost effectiveness were analyzed during the design process for this facility. The following proposal holds the summation of that analysis.