Berwick Sewer District - Berwick, Maine
  • Home
  • Wastewater Treatment
  • Public Education
    • Fats, Oils, & Grease
    • Illicit Discharge
    • Rags
  • About
    • Paying Your Bill/User Rates
    • Liens
    • New Connections
    • Board of Trustees Meeting
    • Links
    • Forms
  • Contact

Solids Processing

Solids that have settled throughout the treatment process contain too much water to be immediately disposed of. They must be processed further, using a method called dewatering, where water is removed from the sludge. 

Before removing water from the sludge, polymer is added to it. Polymer aids in dewatering; it causes the solids to "stick" together, making it easier to for the water to be removed. The sludge enters the screw press (one of many means of separating sludge), and water is squeezed out using an auger. The water leaves the machine via the screen and is returned back to the treatment process. The solids are hauled off-site for disposal. 

Fats, oil, and grease buildup can cause serious issues when dewatering sludge. Grease interferes with the polymer and the solids won't "stick" together like it should.  Grease also coats the inside of the screw press, blocking the holes in the screen where the separated water leaves the machine. So instead of the water leaving the machine separately, the water is discharged with the solids, driving up removal costs, which is based on weight. 
Picture
Picture
Screw press separating the sludge. The water is removed by going through the screen.
<< Back
Dewatered sludge, coming out of the screw press. 

about

Paying Your Bill
New Sewer Connections
​Liens
Board of Trustees

public education

Fats, Oils, & Grease
Illicit Discharge
Rags

Wastewater Treatment Process

Contact

39 Powerhouse Road | PO Box 15
Berwick, Maine 03901
​(207) 698-5740


Mon-Fri: 8 am - 12 pm, ​1 pm - 4 pm 
Picture
© COPYRIGHT 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Wastewater Treatment
  • Public Education
    • Fats, Oils, & Grease
    • Illicit Discharge
    • Rags
  • About
    • Paying Your Bill/User Rates
    • Liens
    • New Connections
    • Board of Trustees Meeting
    • Links
    • Forms
  • Contact