Active Treatment Systems
What Is An Active Treatment System And How Does It Work?
In construction, you take any task with the best of intentions and execute to the best of your ability. This includes doing the assigned task in the local, federal, and state parameters discussed and keeping the expenses within the allocated budget. One cannot predict the costs of construction without understanding and know the overall conditions that may or may not impact the process. For instance, weather plays an integral role and so does the components and elements that lie beneath the surface of your construction. Despite having accurate geotechnical reports, something unexpected can easily come up during any phase.
Although you have prepared and planned everything, surprises occur of which water is the most common wherever there is a construction. Therefore, it is important to protect yourself by learning about all situations that may occur, so you quickly adapt to resolve the issue at hand.
One of the things that you need to learn about is Active Treatment Systems. There are many instances where this information will come handy such as:
- Traditional erosion and sediment control on construction sites are not effective in the treatment of accelerated erosion
- In situations where stormwater is discharged – it is advised not to leave the sites as it can affect the quality of water
- If the job site constraints prevent to construct a correct sized dregs basin
- If there are highly erosive soils or clay present
- If the site is long sloped or very steep
What Is An Active Treatment Systems?
When we talk about Active Treatment Systems or ATS, is a system that is used to control and monitor all discharges that require a chemical additive. Typically, ATS is based on three steps, but at times it may be adjusted to meet individual needs of the site or discharge. It includes:
- Collection and/or Holding Basin
- Pretreatment and/or sedimentation
- Treatment and/or filtration
Working Of Ats
The runoff water is gathered in a tank or holding basin. This is the water that is coming from a pretreated inline and is then transferred to a tank or holding basin. During the transfer, a chemical reaction occurs that thickens and settles with time. When the runoff reaches the other end of the tank or holding basic, the residual has settled by that time and the cleaner water is pumped to the designated discharge point.
As the water is flowing through the system, the contractors you have hired ‘must’ monitor the quality of water. This is to ensure that appropriate adjustments are made to the system required. Once the filtration is done, it is analyzed to make sure that the water meets discharge requirements.
Later, the water is released to the environment only if it meets certain requirements set by the system. In case it does not meet the requirements, the water is recirculated for additional treatment.
It is important to collect the sample of your discharge water and have it evaluated to ensure you are complying with all rules and regulation. If not, you may risk not only your operations that might shut down but get fined by the officials. These both are unacceptable for your project – thus, be prepared for what might occur.
In all cases, where water is moved from one place where it is undesirable to a place where it is unobtrusive, the issue needs to be managed effectively. You can follow the practices mentioned below that are common and effective:
- Utilize percolation to recharge into the ground naturally
- Discharge water into a storm drain, waterway, or sewer that are an acceptable receiving source. However, ensure compliance with permits and regulations
- Sand filtration and discharge water into a storm drain, waterway, or sewer that are an acceptable receiving source. However, ensure compliance with permits and regulations
