1. Nikenbah WWTP Wide Bay Water Corporation’s experience to date in the operation of a 4.8ML/day Flat Plate Membrane Plant

3. Description of Plant 4.8 Ml/day Flat Plate Membrane Plant Receiving influent since February 2010 Currently treating 2.8 ML/day ADWF

4. Treatment Process Aerobic Sludge Digestion – 20 Day Sludge Age Solids dewatering utilising Belt Filter Press Modified Johannesburg Process (MJP) with Kubota Flat Plate Membrane Bioreactor

5. Process Flow - Liquid Stream

6. Process Flow - Solid Stream

7. Key Features Inlet Works – 3mm Screw Screens and Pista TM Grit Trap 1.9ML Enclosed Balance Tank – 1.2ML operating with 700kL dilution volume Compartmentalised Bioreactor Kubota Flat Plate Membranes ABS HST Blowers for air to membranes and REHAU RAUBIOXON bioreactor diffusers.

8. Key Features Aerobic Digestion with Surface Aerators – Controlled by DO using VF drives on surface aerator motors Dewatering with Andritz Belt Filter Press Entire Plant controlled by a single PLC with a ‘Hot’ standby 1.1MVA Backup Diesel Generator complete with 5000L Backup Tank

9. Effluent Characteristics

10. * Grab Samples Only

11. Issues - Commissioning No notable issues Biomass built up using wholemeal flour – Prevented foaming because correct food/mass ratio achieved. – Able to achieve minimum mixed liquor (5,000mg/L) for membranes – Progressive commissioning on a ‘Dry Plant’ Single plant-wide control system eliminated communication conflicts

12. Issues – Early Stages Rats Gnawing Cables Foam Issues (caused by precast wall supports) Mixer failures

13. Issues - Membranes Tearing of membranes – Relatively few panels – Plastic cable ties suspected Temporary fouling of membranes – Caused by ragging on membrane cassettes and membrane aeration system – Needed to be manually removed Accumulation of Inert Biomass

14. Beneficial reuse of Hair Strands? Wigs for follicularly challenged Rastafarians ?????? (Open to Suggestions)

15. Current Rectification works Membrane system Regular emptying of each membrane tank for – Manual removal of hair from system – Inspection of membranes – Removal of accumulated inert biomass Investigating secondary screening options to reduce concentration of fibre in Mixed Liquor

16. Lessons Learnt The technology utilised is working for us Hair and fibres are a major issue Multiple membrane tanks give enormous operational flexibility Emptying and inspection of the membrane tanks is a must Integrated control systems are worth the effort Services trenches and conduits need a rodent management plan!!!!

17. Conclusion After almost three years of operation……….. We have built and now operate a fantastic plant The membranes are surprisingly robust Accumulation of fibres is the biggest problem in a membrane plant 3mm screens are not sufficient to capture all fibres The plant can achieve great results without chemical addition.