Wastewater Treatment Plant
The primary function of the Wastewater Department is to operate and maintain the wastewater treatment plant, and ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations related to sewage treatment, disposal and discharge.
Sewage is collected by a network of sewer lines and seven (7) pump stations throughout the community. When the sewage reaches the plant head works it is run through a pre-treatment (muffin monster) and then into an aeration basin. There it is treated by the activated sludge process. Treated sewage is then run into the clarifier where it is allowed to settle and the supernate (clarified water) is run through a disinfection (UV) system and into the Coquille River. The sludge is pumped into the aerobic digesters and allowed to digest for at least sixty (60) days and then transported by tanker truck to a variety of approved sites.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant has a peak design capacity of 3.2 million gallons per day. The plant could be expanded to a maximum average capacity of 1.7 million gallons per day.
The sewage collection system (sewer mains and lines) is maintained by the Public Works Department.
Purpose of the Plant
The Bandon WWTP is an integral part of the Bandon Community. It provides treatment and disinfection of wastewater from residences, businesses, and industry to levels specified in the City's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit (Appendix I), and to levels commensurate with the values of the citizens of Bandon.
The Bandon WWTP not only provides for the immediate protection of public health, but also for the protection of coastal fisheries. Fishing is still an important industry in the Bandon area. Chemicals and microorganisms in a poorly treated discharge can severely impact marine life. Because of the potential damage from a poor quality effluent to shellfish in the Coquille River Estuary, the Bandon WWTP is designated in Class I of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Design Criteria for Mechanical, Electrical, Fluid System and Component Reliability.
The men and women who manage and support the operations of the Bandon WWTP are charged with an important responsibility. Providing the necessary level of treatment in a cost-effective manner is a reasonable expectation of the citizens and rate payers. The plant represents a significant capital investment of the community and must be operated and maintained to ensure its protections and long life.
Wastewater Plant Department Responsibilities
- The operation and maintenance of the plant to ensure compliance with the Department of Environmental Quality permit levels.
- Plans for future development.
- Prepares budget recommendations for the City Manager.
Service Area Description
The area served by the Bandon WWTP includes the City of Bandon and its Urban Growth Area. About 1,000 acres of the 2,500 acre service area is currently sewered. The sewered area is expected to increase to about 2,000 acres by the year 2013, the year in which the facility is expected to reach its design capacity.
History
The City's original Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was constructed in 1970, on the west side of Riverside Drive. In 1993, the City's facility was upgraded to its current design. The murals were painted by the late local artist Jack Champayne, and maintained by City staff.
Funding
The activities of the Wastewater Department are operated primarily out of the Sewer Fund, and are financed by revenues collected from the sale of sewage treatment services to utility customers. The City also maintains a Sewer Reserve Fund, into which funds are deposited and saved until needed for major plant repairs and improvements. The revenues collected through System Development Charges (SDC's) for new sewer installations are deposited into the Sewer SDC funds for use in various improvement projects to upgrade and expand the capacity of the sewage collection and treatment system.
