CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB http://www.utc.edu/~engrcs/cec/cec.htm Volume LI April 24, 2000 12:00 noon Number 15 The Cellar at Union Square THIS WEEK____________________________________________________________ ARCADIS Geraghty & Miller, an environmental and engineering services consulting firm, was recognized for engineering excellence by the Kentucky Engineers Council (KEC) and the Consulting Engineers of Tennessee (CET) as part of the 2000 Engineering Excellence Awards competition. The firm's Chattanooga, Tennessee, operations was honored with a Grand Award by the KEC within the water resources category. The CET granted an Honor Award for best environmental project. Both awards acknowledge ARCADIS' design and construction of the Louisville, Kentucky, collector well and the related riverbank infiltration pilot study. ARCADIS, known for its water resource expertise, assisted the Louisville Water Company in determining if riverbank infiltration (RBI) would efficiently and economically meet the strict drinking water standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a result of this project, citizens of Louisville receive high quality drinking water at a very low cost. Philip E. Luce, PE, Vice-president of ARCADIS Geraghty & Miller and Raymond A. Cordon, PE, Project Manager, will present the project. LAST WEEK___________________________________________________________ Mr. Gregory Brodie, TVA Technology Advancements, gave an informative presentation on the treatment of industrial wastewater with constructed wetlands and passive technologies. TVA operates 19 constructed wetlands-based, passive treatment systems (PTS) to treat up to 150 million gallons per day of acid drainage at coal mines and fossil plants throughout the Tennessee Valley. PTS improve pH and remove aqueous iron, manganese, acidity, nutrients, organics, and heavy metals such as copper, nickel, and zinc. Eighteen PTS completely treat polluted water to levels that comply with Federal Clean Water Act discharge permit limits; the one non-complying system pre-treats water and results in significant savings in further chemical treatment. Currently, TVA's work in acid drainage treatment technology focuses on improving pollutant removal by using, modifying, and developing various sub-technologies of passive treatment technology. The passive treatments such as removal of metals and acidity with phosphate rock beds, removal of manganese using crushed stone bio-filters, reducing acidity in acidified streams with various anaerobic methodologies, and managing storm runoff. Since 1984, has invested about $3.8 million into developing and demonstrating PTS technology. PTS are cost-effective alternatives compared to conventional treatment methods such as pumping and chemically treating, and have saved TVA about $44 million from 1985-2000 through avoided chemical treatment costs. Through the constructed wetlands program, TVA pioneered and advanced important new technologies, such as the aerobic constructed wetland, the anoxic limestone drain, and the vertical limestone drain, all of which revolutionized passive treatment of acid drainage and other toxic, metal-bearing aqueous discharges associated with the coal and electric utility industries. Additional systems are being considered, including one at a Kentucky Fossil Power Plant to treat high volume, ammoniated flue gas disposal wastewater. Mr. Brodie included case studies such as Fabius and Widow's Creek wastewater treatment projects. COMING PROGRAMS____________________________________________________ May 1 - Michael Bliss, Speech Recognition Solutions, "Speech Recognition software and applications." May 8 - Field trip, TBA. May 15 - EPB's newest source station in Apison, Tennessee. May program chair is Jack Wagner. MEMBERSHIP DUES___________________________________________________ Approximately 200 members have submitted year 2000 dues, please send in your dues and scholarship contribution at your earliest convenience. --- Chattanooga Technology Council Mailing List | A free service provided by To unsubscribe, e-mail: ctc-unsubscribe@cdc.net | CDC Internet, Inc. For additional commands, e-mail: ctc-help@cdc.net | http://www.cdc.net "