WATKINS, CO, May 19, 2011 -- Earlier this year, Orica Watercare commissioned its largest High Rate MIEX® System at the Johnston County Public Utilities Water Treatment Plant in Smithfield, NC.
The system treats 6.75 million gallons of water per day and serves a distribution system spanning 1600 miles. It removes dissolved organic carbon (DOC) as a pretreatment to downstream treatment processes.
Since the system has beneficial effects on downstream processes, the plant upgrade has allowed the utility to use all existing infrastructure to meet current and future EPA regulations for the reduction of carcinogenic disinfection by-products.
The system, which was funded in part by ARRA Stimulus dollars, is also expected to reduce downstream chemical consumption by as much as 50%.
Lead Operator Steve Beale said, "We have never seen finished water DOC as low as what we are producing with the MIEX® System. In addition, the sludge waste being produced downstream ... is dense and simple to dewater compared to the side of the plant that is not being fed the MIEX® treated water."
As a result, the plant is considering doubling the flow capacity and treating the entire influent flow with the MIEX® Process.
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