Do Sewage Treatment Plants Get Overloaded on Thanksgiving Day?
Do Sewage Treatment Plants Get Overloaded on Thanksgiving Day?
Whenever the thought arises that sewage treatment centers might be overloaded on Thanksgiving day, a common misconception is that these facilities could be prone to such issues. In reality, unless the facilities are not properly designed, the answer is no. Sewage treatment plants are engineered to handle varying levels of incoming wastewater. They operate on a flow-through system, meaning that the excess water is treated and processed accordingly, regardless of spikes in volume.
If sewage treatment plants were not designed correctly, they would indeed face significant challenges and operate at suboptimal levels on a routine basis, not just during holidays or events with a spike in water usage. I have personally worked in both city-owned and privately managed sewage treatment plants, and even with small package plants, frequent checks and adjustments were necessary to maintain optimal water treatment.
No Overload on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving, like most holidays, is not usually the culprit for sewage treatment center overloads. The primary reason for surges in wastewater after holidays, particularly those involving heavy cooking and cleaning, is the presence of a notably higher amount of grease in the sewers. However, this increase is not usually enough to cause serious problems. Instead, it can be handled by the already equipped and prepared staff.
Occasional Issues with Holiday Surges
While Thanksgiving may not typically cause overloads, there are situations where sudden increases in the flow can pose problems. These issues can be intermittent and are more commonly seen in older plants where the population has grown significantly. On these occasions, the increase in flow tends to occur later in the morning, causing a sudden high-level alarm at the headworks. The equipment often takes a while to adjust to such a quick change in flow, which can lead to temporary storage issues, but the wet well usually does not overflow. Even if an overflow occurs, it is typically contained within the structure.
Super Bowl Day vs. Thanksgiving
The question of Super Bowl Day overloading sewage treatment plants is somewhat different. While it is true that during the Super Bowl, we could watch the flows rise and fall during commercial breaks, this is not such a significant issue today as it was about a decade ago. Modern sewage systems are already designed for overcapacity, and water-saving features have further increased their capacity. The biggest spike in flow occurs on Super Bowl Sunday, and the operators would be the first to confirm this.
In conclusion, sewage treatment plants are designed to handle fluctuations in water flow, and while holidays like Thanksgiving can bring challenges, they are not typically cause for overloads. Proper design and maintenance ensure that these facilities can continue to function efficiently, even during peak times.