Nutrient Removal Treatment Practices Implemented at the City of Los Angeles Upstream Water Reclamation Plants

Donald C. Tillman (DCT) and Los Angeles-Glendale (LAG) Water Reclamation Plants
Los Angeles, California

The principal source of nitrogen compounds in the Los Angeles River is from the City of Los
Angeles upstream plants, Donald C. Tillman (DCT) and the Los Angeles-Glendale (LAG) Water
Reclamation Plants (WRP’s). These WRP’s were major contributors, with up to 75% of the total
dry weather nitrogen load during dry weather periods. In 2007, the City has completed a nitrogen
removal program to reduce the nitrogen mass discharge from its WRP’s. As part of the process, a
comprehensive research effort was undertaken involving bench, pilot and full scale testing to
identify the most effective way to upgrade and optimize the existing WRP’s. The combined
findings were then used to upgrade WRP’s to “full” BNR plants without derating, carbon and
alkalinity addition utilizing the MLE (Modified Ludzack Ettinger) process. This paper will focus
on the MLE process design and treatment practices successfully implemented at the City’s
WRP’s.

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Posted: May 20th, 2011 | Filed under: 100K-500K, 500K-1M, Stormwater, Waste Water Treatment, Water Treatment | Tags: Environmental Impact, Improved Nitrogen Removal, Improved Nutrient Removal, Plant Optimization, Plant Sustainability | No Comments »

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