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Views: 222 Author: Carie Publish Time: 2025-05-22 Origin: Site
Content Menu
● Overview of Savannah's Sewage Treatment System
● The Wastewater Treatment Process in Savannah
>> 1. Collection and Conveyance
>> 2. Preliminary Treatment: Screening
>> 5. Secondary (Biological) Treatment
>> 8. Effluent Reuse and Discharge
● Biosolids Processing and Management
>> Thermal Drying and Pelletizing
● Environmental Compliance and Challenges
>> Industrial Pretreatment Program
>> Addressing Emerging Contaminants
● FAQ
>> 1. How many wastewater treatment plants serve Savannah, GA?
>> 2. Where does Savannah discharge its treated wastewater?
>> 3. What methods are used to disinfect wastewater in Savannah?
>> 4. How does Savannah handle industrial wastewater?
>> 5. What happens to the solids removed during wastewater treatment?
Understanding the journey of wastewater in Savannah, Georgia, is essential to appreciate the city's efforts in maintaining environmental health and public safety. This article explores where Savannah's sewage treatment wastewater goes, detailing the treatment process, facilities involved, and the final destination of treated water. We will also include visuals and videos to enhance understanding, followed by a conclusion and a FAQ section addressing common questions.
Savannah's wastewater system is managed by the Water Reclamation Department (WRD), which provides wastewater treatment services for the city and surrounding areas. The system collects sewage through an extensive network of sewer pipes and lift stations, conveying it to one of several water reclamation facilities for treatment.
Savannah operates four main Water Reclamation Facilities:
- Georgetown Water Reclamation Facility: Serving the northern part of the city, this plant handles a significant portion of residential and commercial wastewater.
- President Street Water Reclamation Facility: Located near downtown Savannah, this facility treats wastewater from the central business district and surrounding neighborhoods.
- Wilshire Water Reclamation Facility: Serving the western areas, Wilshire handles a mix of residential and industrial wastewater.
- Crossroads Water Reclamation Facility: This plant caters to the southern and eastern parts of Savannah.
Additionally, a fifth facility, Travis Water Reclamation Facility, is currently under construction to expand capacity and meet future growth demands.
Wastewater treatment in Savannah involves several stages designed to remove contaminants and protect the environment. Below is a detailed explanation of each step in the process.
Wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries flows through an extensive network of underground sewer pipes. The city maintains approximately 800 miles of sewer infrastructure, including gravity sewers and force mains. Lift stations located at strategic points pump wastewater uphill or across long distances to reach treatment plants. Regular inspection and maintenance, including CCTV inspections and smoke testing, ensure the system operates efficiently and prevents blockages or leaks.
Once wastewater arrives at the treatment plant, it passes through screening devices that remove large debris such as plastics, rags, sticks, and other solids that could damage equipment or clog pipes. This step is crucial for protecting downstream processes and maintaining plant efficiency.
After screening, wastewater flows into grit chambers where heavy inorganic materials like sand, gravel, eggshells, and coffee grounds settle out. Grit removal prevents abrasion and wear on pumps and mechanical equipment.
The wastewater then enters primary clarifiers or sedimentation tanks, where suspended solids settle to the bottom as sludge, and oils and grease float to the surface. These materials are skimmed off and sent for further treatment. This step removes approximately 50-60% of suspended solids and 30-40% of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).
The remaining wastewater, still containing dissolved and fine suspended organic matter, undergoes biological treatment. Savannah uses the activated sludge process, where air is pumped into aeration tanks to support the growth of microorganisms. These bacteria consume organic pollutants, converting them into carbon dioxide, water, and additional biomass (microbial cells).
This biological step is critical for reducing organic pollutants to levels safe for discharge or reuse.
After aeration, the mixture flows into secondary clarifiers where the microbial biomass settles out as sludge. Part of this sludge is recycled back to the aeration tanks to maintain microbial populations, while the excess sludge is sent to sludge processing.
Before discharge, treated effluent is disinfected to kill harmful pathogens. Savannah employs two disinfection methods:
- Chlorination: Two of the plants use chlorine gas to disinfect the effluent. Chlorine is effective but requires careful handling and dechlorination before discharge to avoid harming aquatic life.
- Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection: The other two plants use UV light to inactivate pathogens without chemicals, making it an environmentally friendly alternative.
A portion of the treated effluent from the President Street facility undergoes additional filtration through sand filters and is reused for irrigation at local golf courses, delivering up to five million gallons daily. This water reuse program conserves freshwater resources and supports sustainable landscaping.
The remaining treated water is discharged into local waterways, primarily the Savannah River, under strict environmental permits issued by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These permits regulate the quality and quantity of discharge to protect aquatic ecosystems and public health.
The solids removed during primary and secondary treatment, known as biosolids, undergo further processing before disposal or reuse.
Biosolids are first thickened by gravity settling or flotation to reduce water content. Then, mechanical dewatering equipment, such as belt filter presses, further removes water, producing a semi-solid cake.
At the President Street facility, biosolids are thermally dried and pelletized to produce Class A biosolids. Class A biosolids meet stringent pathogen reduction standards, making them safe for use as soil amendments or fertilizers in agriculture, landscaping, and land reclamation.
Recycling biosolids reduces landfill use, recycles nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, and improves soil health. Savannah's biosolids program aligns with sustainable waste management principles and supports local agriculture.
Savannah's wastewater treatment plants operate under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, which set limits on pollutants discharged into waterways. The city conducts regular monitoring and reporting to ensure compliance.
Industrial facilities generating wastewater with high levels of pollutants must pre-treat their wastewater before discharge into the municipal sewer system. This prevents toxic substances from disrupting biological treatment and ensures the safety of the environment.
For example, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing plant in Savannah was found to have elevated phosphorus levels in its wastewater, which can cause eutrophication (excessive algae growth) in waterways. The city continues to work with such industries to improve pretreatment and maintain permit compliance.
Savannah is also exploring ways to address emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and microplastics, which conventional treatment may not fully remove. Advanced treatment options and monitoring programs are being considered to protect water quality.
Savannah, Georgia, employs a comprehensive and technologically advanced wastewater treatment system to manage sewage from its residents and industries. Wastewater is collected, screened, biologically treated, disinfected, and then either reused for irrigation or safely discharged into local waterways under strict environmental regulations. The city also processes biosolids to create safe, reusable products. Continuous monitoring and industrial regulation ensure the protection of Savannah's waterways and public health.
Savannah's commitment to sustainable wastewater management not only protects the environment but also supports community health and economic growth. As the city expands, ongoing investments in infrastructure and technology will be essential to meet future challenges and maintain water quality.
Savannah operates four main water reclamation facilities with a fifth under construction to increase capacity.
Treated wastewater is primarily discharged into the Savannah River under permits ensuring environmental safety. Some effluent is reused for irrigation at local golf courses.
Disinfection is achieved by chlorine gas addition at two plants and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection at the other two.
The city enforces an industrial pretreatment program requiring industries to pre-treat wastewater to prevent harmful substances from disrupting the municipal treatment process.
Solids, or biosolids, are thickened, dewatered, and at some facilities thermally dried and pelletized to produce Class A biosolids used as soil amendments or fertilizers.
