TM 5-814-8
emphasis will remain on improving performance
characteristics and local site conditions are the
at present sites. Treatment alternatives must be
most important factors which determine treat-
evaluated to determine the most cost-effective
ment requirements.
and environmentally acceptable systems for a
b. Nature and origin of waste waters. Waste-
particular installation. Improved treatment per-
water can primarily be classified as domestic or
formance may include:
industrial in nature. Industrial wastewaters can
(1) Modifications or additions to preliminary
be very complex and contain a wide variety of
constituents. Before a plan for treating the
treatment units which may include equalization,
pH control, preaeration, or other operations which
wastewater can be formulated, these constituents
will reduce the load or improve the efficiency of
must be identified. Characterization of the waste
subsequent facilities.
stream by flow measurement and chemical analy-
(2) Changes to primary treatment facilities
sis is used to identify the undesirable elements, to
either to reduce the load on secondary units or to
determine the source of these pollutants, and to
remove specific constituents such as phosphorus.
implement a solution to control them to an
(3) Upgrading secondary processes by provid-
acceptable level.
ing additional "polishing" units, by changing the
c. Waste water discharge legislation. Over the
load on existing facilities, or by modifying the
last decade, legislation and regulations governing
plant operations.
the discharge and disposal of wastewater and
(4) Addition of advanced treatment processes
solid wastes have had a significant impact on all
to remove or convert nitrogen, to remove phos-
aspects of wastewater management. Under the
phorus, or to provide additional suspended solids
responsibility y of the U.S. Environmental Protec-
and organics removal.
tion Agency (EPA), Federal legislation, such as
f. Solids handling processes. The methods for
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
handling and disposal of removed wastewater
and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
residues must be evaluated along with analysis of
(RCRA), have been enacted to reduce or eliminate
wastewater treatment processes. Both liquid and
pollutant discharges and provide for safe handling
solids treatment must be considered in cost-
and disposal of hazardous waste. Other legislation
has been enacted to set standards for public
effective evaluations. Resource conservation and
beneficial use of waste solids shall be imple-
drinking water, to control toxic substances, to
mented to the maximum practical extent in
regulate insecticides, etc. In addition to National
regulations, State and local governments have
design and operation of sludge treatment and
disposal systems.
established environmental regulations which in
g. Waste water handling system alternatives.
some cases are more stringent than the national
The process of combining several technically
counterpart.
proven unit processes and operations into a
d. Waste water management program formula-
treatment system to meet specific effluent goals
requires identification of the performance ex-
control is the initial definition of overall program
pected from each unit. Usually many combina-
objectives and content. Without careful planning
tions of unit processes are available to meet
at an early stage, cost-effective pollution control
effluent criteria. Operational requirements shall
systems will not be implemented. Other steps
be included in cost evaluations and effect on the
which must be taken include conducting a water
environment must be weighed in evaluating alter-
and wastewater inventory, evaluating waste re-
native processes.
duction practices, assessing the environmental
h. Economic considerations. It is the govern-
impact of various control schemes, analyzing
ment's desire to implement the most efficient,
treatment alternatives, and defining specific treat-
ment needs.
cost-effective solution to polluted discharges from
military facilities. Cost evaluations must consider
e. Wastewater treatment processes. Most pollu-
tion control programs at military installations
both capital investment and operation and main-
will require upgrading existing wastewater treat-
tenance expenses on a life cycle basis. The impact
ment systems to meet more stringent criteria
of both schedule for start of construction and
which have been established. Some new facilities
geographical location of treatment facilities must
will likely be needed in the next 10 years, but the
be evaluated in preparing cost estimates.
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