Power Generator

The two megawatt power generator was installed in 2005 to allow the City to benefit from significant ongoing electrical savings and also provide back-up power for the entire plant. The City and OMI agreed to implement this solution by changing to a different rate structure and installing a large generator and switch gear to provide peak load management. During the summer when electrical demand is highest, the area electrical supply network is closely monitored. When the demand reaches a certain point, the generator operates and the plant is disconnected from the power grid. The results have been an electrical cost savings of approximately $192,000 a year.

The same systems will be installed at the Westside Treatment Plant and the new Hamestring wastewater lift station.

Portable Power Generator

The new portable generator was purchased in 2005 and installed on vehicle unit #325 (transferred from the fire department). This mobile generator unit has been used a dozen times a year during routine and non-routine power outages to minimize down times at the lift stations, therefore minimizing chances for sewer overflows.

Water Reuse

Treated effluent (after screening by newly installed straining equipment) is now used for washdown water and belt filter press cleaning in the new Biosolids Building instead of potable water. The plant’s potable water consumption was reduced by approximately two million gallons a month.

Road Cleanups

For the twelfth year, OMI supported the Curb-The-Clutter program with the clean-up of a section of Old Wire Road near Highway 265 and maintained an unofficial commitment to clean up Fox Hunter Road near the plant on an annual basis.

BlueInGreen Supersaturated Dissolved Oxygen Injector (SDOX)

OMI staff proposed the purchase of the new Supersaturated Dissolved Oxygen Injector (SDOX) to minimize pure oxygen consumption in the wastewater treatment process. Pure oxygen is added to the treated effluent in addition to mechanical aeration to ensure that NPDES permit requirement in dissolved oxygen is met. The new oxygenation technology, SDOX, restricts oxygen loss to the atmosphere such that nearly 100% of the oxygen gas fed to the system is dissolved. The SDOX, therefore, uses and wastes less oxygen, and therefore saves money and is much more environmentallt friendly. The cost saving for using this new technology is approximately $15,000 a year.