scholarly journals Water table dynamics beneath onsite wastewater systems in eastern North Carolina in response to Hurricane Florence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Humphrey Jr. ◽  
Danielle Dillane ◽  
Guy Iverson ◽  
Michael O'Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Separation Distance ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Groundwater Velocity ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Onsite Wastewater ◽  
Eastern North Carolina

Abstract Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWSs) are commonly used in eastern North Carolina. A vadose zone or vertical separation distance (VSD) between the OWS drainfield trenches and groundwater is required for effective aerobic wastewater treatment. Extreme weather events, including hurricanes, can deliver significant rainfall that influences groundwater levels and reduces the VSD, thus also influencing the treatment of wastewater by the OWS. Few studies have quantified the effects of storms on the VSD. Groundwater levels at three sites with the OWS were monitored before, during, and after Hurricane Florence. Groundwater rose over 1.5 m within 9 h at the sites in response to rain from the hurricane but took more than 3.5 weeks to return to prestorm levels. Groundwater inundated the drainfield trenches for several days at two sites leading to direct discharge of wastewater to groundwater. The hydraulic gradient and the groundwater velocity increased during the storm and the groundwater flow direction shifted, leading to greater dispersion of wastewater impacted groundwater. The wastewater treatment efficiency of the soil-based OWS in coastal areas may lessen over time because of rising water tables and reduced VSD. Individual pretreatment OWSs, elevated drainfields, or centralized sewage treatment may be required in regions with shrinking VSDs.

Evaluation of appropriate system for reclaimed wastewater reuse in each area of Tokyo using GIS-based water balance model

2001 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 301-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Aramaki ◽  
R. Sugimoto ◽  
K. Hanaki ◽  
T. Matsuo
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Reuse ◽  
Reclaimed Water ◽  
Reclaimed Wastewater ◽  
Intermediate Point ◽  
Onsite Wastewater ◽  
Onsite Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Reuse System

The appropriate type of reclaimed wastewater reuse system in each area of Tokyo was evaluated from the aspect of economic efficiency, using a GIS-based water balances model. The following four reclaimed wastewater reuse systems and conventional waterworks and sewerage system were evaluated; “Rain water storage and use system”, “Onsite wastewater treatment and reuse system”, “Sewage treatment and reuse at an intermediate point on the sewer pipe” and “Treated water supply system in sewage treatment plant”. In the case that we install them to office and residential buildings, the supplied volume by reclaimed wastewater reuse systems is 693 thousands m3/d, this corresponds to 15% of total water demand in the area. Furthermore, the effects of the following scenarios brought about by technological innovation in water treatment were investigated; the case that flush water in toilet and wastewater from kitchen are also available as source in a “onsite wastewater treatment and reuse system” and the casethat reclaimed water is used for laundering in residential buildings. When reclaimed water is used for laundering in residential buildings, the supplied volume by these systems increases to 814 thousand m3/d in the case that these systems are installed to office and residential buildings.

Nitrogen and carbon dynamics beneath on-site wastewater treatment systems in Pitt County, North Carolina

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 663-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie L. Del Rosario ◽  
Charles P. Humphrey ◽  
Siddhartha Mitra ◽  
Michael A. O'Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Separation Distance ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Nutrient Analysis ◽  
Total Dissolved Nitrogen ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Systems

On-site wastewater treatment systems (OWS) are a potentially significant non-point source of nutrients to groundwater and surface waters, and are extensively used in coastal North Carolina. The goal of this study was to determine the treatment efficiency of four OWS in reducing total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations before discharge to groundwater and/or adjacent surface water. Piezometers were installed for groundwater sample collection and nutrient analysis at four separate residences that use OWS. Septic tank effluent, groundwater, and surface water samples (from an adjacent stream) were collected four times during 2012 for TDN and DOC analysis and pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, and dissolved oxygen measurements. Treatment efficiencies from the tank to the groundwater beneath the drainfields ranged from 33 to 95% for TDN and 45 to 82% for DOC, although dilution accounted for most of the concentration reductions. There was a significant positive correlation between nitrate concentration and separation distance from trench bottom to water table and a significant negative correlation between DOC concentration and separation distance. The TDN and DOC transport (>15 m) from two OWS with groundwater saturated drainfield trenches was significant.

scholarly journals Search for Campylobacter spp. Reveals High Prevalence and Pronounced Genetic Diversity of Arcobacter butzleri in Floodwater Samples Associated with Hurricane Florence in North Carolina, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Niedermeyer ◽  
William G. Miller ◽  
Emma Yee ◽  
Angela Harris ◽  
Ryan E. Emanuel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Extreme Weather ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogens ◽  
Food Animal ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Arcobacter Butzleri ◽  
Eastern North Carolina

ABSTRACT In September 2018, Hurricane Florence caused extreme flooding in eastern North Carolina, USA, a region highly dense in concentrated animal production, especially swine and poultry. In this study, floodwater samples (n = 96) were collected as promptly post-hurricane as possible and for up to approximately 30 days and selectively enriched for Campylobacter using Bolton broth enrichment and isolation on modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar (mCCDA) microaerobically at 42°C. Only one sample yielded Campylobacter, which was found to be Campylobacter jejuni with the novel sequence type 2866 (ST-2866). However, the methods employed to isolate Campylobacter readily yielded Arcobacter from 73.5% of the floodwater samples. The Arcobacter isolates failed to grow on Mueller-Hinton agar at 25, 30, 37, or 42°C microaerobically or aerobically but could be readily subcultured on mCCDA at 42°C microaerobically. Multilocus sequence typing of 112 isolates indicated that all were Arcobacter butzleri. The majority (85.7%) of the isolates exhibited novel sequence types (STs), with 66 novel STs identified. Several STs, including certain novel ones, were detected in diverse waterbody types (channel, isolated ephemeral pools, floodplain) and from multiple watersheds, suggesting the potential for regionally dominant strains. The genotypes were clearly partitioned into two major clades, one with high representation of human and ruminant isolates and another with an abundance of swine and poultry isolates. Surveillance of environmental waters and food animal production systems in this animal agriculture-dense region is needed to assess potential regional prevalence and temporal stability of the observed A. butzleri strains as well as their potential association with specific types of food animal production. IMPORTANCE Climate change and associated extreme weather events can have massive impacts on the prevalence of microbial pathogens in floodwaters. However, limited data are available on foodborne zoonotic pathogens such as Campylobacter or Arcobacter in hurricane-associated floodwaters in rural regions with intensive animal production. With a high density of intensive animal production as well as pronounced vulnerability to hurricanes, eastern North Carolina presents unique opportunities in this regard. Our findings revealed widespread incidence of the emerging zoonotic pathogen Arcobacter butzleri in floodwaters from Hurricane Florence. We encountered high and largely unexplored diversity while also noting the potential for regionally abundant and persistent clones. We noted pronounced partitioning of the floodwater genotypes into two source-associated clades. The data will contribute to elucidating the poorly understood ecology of this emerging pathogen and highlight the importance of surveillance of floodwaters associated with hurricanes and other extreme weather events for Arcobacter and other zoonotic pathogens.

Evaluation of on-site wastewater system Escherichia coli contributions to shallow groundwater in coastal North Carolina

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 789-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. Humphrey ◽  
M. A. O’Driscoll ◽  
M. A. Zarate
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Separation Distance ◽  
Septic Tank ◽  
Shallow Water Table ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
E Coli

The study goal was to determine if on-site wastewater systems (OSWWS) installed in coastal areas were effective at reducing indicator bacteria densities before discharge to groundwater. Groundwater Escherichia coli (E. coli) densities and groundwater levels adjacent to 16 OSWWS in three different soil groups (sand, sandy loam, and sandy clay loam) were monitored and compared to background groundwater conditions on four occasions between March 2007 and February 2008 in coastal North Carolina. Groundwater beneath OSWWS had significantly (p≤0.05) lower densities of E. coli than septic tank effluent, but significantly higher densities of E. coli than background conditions for each soil type. Twenty three percent of all groundwater samples near OSWWS had E. coli densities that exceeded the EPA freshwater contact standards (single sample 235 cfu/100 mL) for surface waters. Groundwater E. coli densities near OSWWS were highest during shallow water table periods. The results indicate that increasing the required vertical separation distance from drainfield trenches to seasonal high water table could improve shallow groundwater quality.

Analysis and balance of phosphorous removal from wastewater at urban wastewater treatment plant

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-151
Author(s):  
Peter Lukac ◽  
Lubos Jurik
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Phosphorus Recovery ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
The Mean

Abstract:Phosphorus is a major substance that is needed especially for agricultural production or for the industry. At the same time it is an important component of wastewater. At present, the waste management priority is recycling and this requirement is also transferred to wastewater treatment plants. Substances in wastewater can be recovered and utilized. In Europe (in Germany and Austria already legally binding), access to phosphorus-containing sewage treatment is changing. This paper dealt with the issue of phosphorus on the sewage treatment plant in Nitra. There are several industrial areas in Nitra where record major producers in phosphorus production in sewage. The new wastewater treatment plant is built as a mechanicalbiological wastewater treatment plant with simultaneous nitrification and denitrification, sludge regeneration, an anaerobic zone for biological phosphorus removal at the beginning of the process and chemical phosphorus precipitation. The sludge management is anaerobic sludge stabilization with heating and mechanical dewatering of stabilized sludge and gas management. The aim of the work was to document the phosphorus balance in all parts of the wastewater treatment plant - from the inflow of raw water to the outflow of purified water and the production of excess sludge. Balancing quantities in the wastewater treatment plant treatment processes provide information where efficient phosphorus recovery could be possible. The mean daily value of P tot is approximately 122.3 kg/day of these two sources. The mean daily value of P tot is approximately 122.3 kg/day of these two sources. There are also two outflows - drainage of cleaned water to the recipient - the river Nitra - 9.9 kg Ptot/day and Ptot content in sewage sludge - about 120.3 kg Ptot/day - total 130.2 kg Ptot/day.

Danish Experience with Emergent Hydrophyte Treatment Systems (EHTS) and Prospects in the Light of Future Requirements on Outlet Water Quality

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.-H. Schierup ◽  
H. Brix
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Reed Beds ◽  
Effluent Quality ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Stage System

Since 1983 approximately 150 full-scale emergent hydrophyte based wastewater treatment plants (reed beds) have been constructed in Denmark to serve small wastewater producers. The development of purification performance for 21 plants representing different soil types, vegetation, and hydraulic loading rates has been recorded. Cleaning efficiencies were typically in the range of 60-80% reduction for BOD, 25-50% reduction for total nitrogen, and 20-40% reduction for total phosphorus. The mean effluent BOD, total nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations of the reed beds were 19 ± 10, 22 ± 9 and 6.7 ± 3.2 mg/l (mean ± SD), respectively. Thus, the general Danish effluent standards of 8 mg/l for N and 1.5 mg/l for P for sewage plants greater than 5,000 PE cannot be met by the present realised design of EHTS. The main problem observed in most systems is a poor development of horizontal hydraulic conductivity in the soil which results in surface run-off. Since the political demands for effluent quality will be more strict in the future, it is important to improve the performance of small decentral sewage treatment plants. On the basis of experiences from different types of macrophyte based and conventional low-technology wastewater treatment systems, a multi-stage system is suggested, consisting of sedimentation and sand filtration facilities followed by basins planted with emergent and submergent species of macrophytes and algal ponds.

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