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Troubleshooting Sludge Problems in Wastewater Lagoon Systems

Related Information
  • CWA-NPDES Permit Compliance Technical Assistance Webinar Series
On this page:
  • Training Video
  • Presenter
  • Supplemental Materials

Training Video

This session on wastewater lagoon systems discusses:

  • the problems accumulated sludge creates
  • the ten signs indicating it is time to remove sludge
  • the fifteen things affecting the rate of sludge accumulation
  • typical sludge accumulation rates
  • how to determine the volume and mass of sludge
  • how to properly sludge judge and core sample a lagoon
  • the things to consider before sludge judging a lagoon and how to prepare for this sampling
  • the different methods on how to desludge a pond and how to get free sludge removal.

This session is case study driven. Everything in this session is from real-world experience and actual municipal and industrial wastewater lagoon systems.

Date of Recording: November 18, 2021 (1-2:30 pm Eastern)

Presenter

  • Steve Harris is the President and Owner of H&S Environmental, Mesa, Arizona. Beginning in February 1993, Steve has worked with wastewater operators across the United States and in many different parts of the world to identify and troubleshoot wastewater lagoon problems, optimize lagoon performance, and assist wastewater lagoon systems in removing sludge. H&S Environmental, LLC provides in-field and desk-top evaluations of lagoon system performance to get lagoon systems in compliance and functioning at optimum treatment efficiencies. “Our goal is to get the most out of the lagoon system the community or industry is currently using.”

    Steve also provides C.E.U. training for operators in California, Missouri, Montana, Illinois, Idaho, Texas, Alaska, New Mexico, Indiana, Arizona, Washington, Kansas, Maine, North Dakota, Wyoming, Michigan, Tribal groups, the I.H.S., and many operator associations and private industries across the country. Steve has compiled years of the best operational experience and problem-solving techniques into a book he has written titled, Wastewater Lagoon Troubleshooting, an Operator’s Guide to Solving Problems and Optimizing Wastewater Lagoon Systems (available through USA BlueBook).

    Steve is a frequent contributor of articles to wastewater trade publications and trains wastewater operators across the country in aerobic digester optimization as well as wastewater lagoon optimization, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Steve’s articles have appeared in Industrial Water World, Environmental Science and Engineering, Water and Wastewater Products, and Water Engineering Management, and Illinois Currents by the Illinois Association of Water Pollution Control Operators to name just a few.

Supplemental Materials

  • Troubleshooting Sludge Problems in Wastewater Lagoons Systems Slide Presentation (pdf) (36.67 MB)
  • Sludge Blanket Mixing in Wastewater Stabilization Pond Systems (pdf) (317.63 KB)

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Last updated on February 13, 2025
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