Restoring Wastewater Lagoon Biology After a Toxic Chemical Upset
Toxic substances can significantly disrupt the biology of wastewater lagoon systems. Chemicals associated with illicit drug manufacturing, including amphetamines and compounds used to produce them, can suppress aquatic life and damage essential microorganisms.¹
These toxic compounds can inhibit biofilm formation and favor microorganisms that are better adapted to contaminated environments. However, these resistant species may replace beneficial microorganisms that are essential for effective biological wastewater treatment.
As a result, a toxic chemical discharge can quickly reduce treatment performance and disrupt the microbial balance of a wastewater lagoon. The following case study explains how BioLynceus® helped restore the biology of a facultative lagoon system following an alleged discharge of chemicals associated with methamphetamine manufacturing.
Figure 1. Wastewater in cell one of the facultative lagoon system
after the toxic hit exhibiting milky white color.
Signs of a Biological Upset
Wastewater operators in a rural Wyoming municipality noticed that the first cell of their 0.02 MGD facultative lagoon system had turned milky white and developed a strong odor (Figure 1).
After several residents complained about odors coming from the wastewater treatment facility, plant management investigated the condition of the lagoon system. Operators determined that the lagoon biology had been severely damaged by toxic chemicals entering the collection system.
The toxic discharge was allegedly connected to a methamphetamine lab that had been discovered shortly before the lagoon odor developed. An occupant of the residence reportedly admitted to flushing chemicals associated with methamphetamine manufacturing down the toilet after noticing law enforcement outside the property.
Because the lagoon’s microbial population had been disrupted, the municipality needed a way to quickly restore biological wastewater treatment. The city contacted BioLynceus® for assistance.
1 Lee S., Paspalof A., Snow D., Richmond K., Rosi-Marshall J., & Kelly J. (2016). Occurrence and Potential Biological Effects ofAmphetamine on Stream Communities. Environmental Science
Technology. 50 (17): 9727-9735.
Bioaugmentation Treatment for the Wastewater Lagoon
BioLynceus® developed a treatment program using ProBiotic Scrubber® II (PBII) in combination with potassium permanganate (PP).
PBII was applied daily to the first lagoon cell for 14 days. Potassium permanganate was also added to help provide oxygen to the lagoon and support the biological treatment process.
After only five days of bioaugmentation, odors from the lagoon had significantly dissipated.
By the end of the two-week treatment period, the lagoon cells were once again properly processing incoming wastewater. The wastewater had also returned to a healthier color, indicating that biological activity had been restored.
Figure 2. Two cell facultative lagoon system servicing a rural Wyoming municipality.
Results: Biological Wastewater Treatment Restored
The BioLynceus® bioaugmentation program helped quickly restore biological wastewater treatment in the facultative lagoon system. By rebuilding the lagoon's microbial population, the treatment process recovered from the toxic upset and returned to normal operation.
BioLynceus® ProBiotic Scrubber® II provides a biological solution for lagoon toxicity.