The Temecula Valley Regional Water Reclamation Facility in Temecula, Calif., uses an Auger Monster grinding system in place of traditional headworks technology.

The 6-mgd plant, a facility of the Eastern Municipal Water District, is an activated sludge plant with tertiary treatment that includes filtration and chlorination. The plants effluent is pumped to a district water distribution plant from which it is used to irrigate farmland and golf courses. The Temecula facility serves a largely domestic community that also includes many small businesses, a major computer chip maker and a medical supplier.

Several years ago the facility experienced major pump clogging and breakdown due to plastics and rags in the waste stream between primary and secondary treatment. In addition to a large volume of rags in the waste stream, the plant had a particular problem removing such plastic solids as tampon applicators because they were not being properly shredded by the plants comminutors, according to plant maintenance supervisor Steve Moore.

Moore said that plant officials had seen and Auger Monster system in operation at the Irvine Ranch Water District and felt that it would serve their needs.

The Auger Monster is a modular headworks system that is capable of fine screening at high flow rates. System features include a rotating drum screen, an inclined screw conveyor, and a timer-based control system.

The technology allows water flow to continue down stream while diverting solids into the grinder. From there, the inorganics are separated out and dewatered to 50 percent or more.

Installed in May 1998 at the Temecula plants headworks, the unit has provided excellent service, according to Moore, who added, We have totally eliminated the problem.