The Future of Wastewater Treatment Series: Lakeland, FL

This article is part of our feature on the future of wastewater in the U.S.’s fastest growing metro areas. We’re using the Transcend Design Generator to automatically build, expand, or upgrade regional wastewater treatment systems in each of these regions.

Polk County, Florida, is facing an exciting challenge of infrastructure development due to its impressive population growth. Nestled between Orlando and Tampa, with its flat terrain and numerous potential effluent locations, the county calls for a unique approach to expand its wastewater treatment capacity.

To efficiently cater to the increasing demand, Polk County is adopting the Floridian model of a decentralized approach, involving the construction of numerous microplants, each having a capacity of around 0.5 MGD. Strategically distributed across the county, these compact facilities are not only more compatible with the local topography but also easier to maintain and expand as the population grows.

The design of these microplants is being carried out using the Transcend Design Generator (TDG), a cutting-edge tool that accelerates the plant design process while ensuring compliance with all applicable standards and regulations.

In each microplant, a Primary Filter is used for initial wastewater treatment, maximizing efficiency within the compact space. Further treatment is accomplished using a Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR), another space-saving technology that is particularly well-suited to these smaller treatment plants. Finally, chemical disinfection is employed to guarantee the safety of the treated water before it is reintroduced to the environment.

Polk County’s innovative approach in dealing with its wastewater treatment needs amidst rapid population growth is exemplary. By employing smaller, space-efficient plants designed using advanced tools like TDG, the county ensures a sustainable future, setting a strong model for other counties experiencing similar growth trends.

If you’d like to see the full design package for this treatment plant, send us a note at info@transcendinfra.com or contact us here and a member of our team will share it with you!

If you enjoyed this piece you may also want to read about the future of wastewater in Atlanta.