Total Suspended Solids: Guide for Wastewater Treatment

Introduction

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) is an important parameter in water quality and is commonly regulated under water discharge permits. Staying within the TSS limits outlined in your permit is essential for environmental compliance and avoiding penalties. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of TSS, its environmental and operational impacts, and practical strategies for managing TSS in wastewater systems. It also includes a real-world case study highlighting how a dairy processing facility successfully reduced TSS levels by 95% through the implementation of advanced filtration technologies.

What Are Total Suspended Solids (TSS)?

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) are solid particles larger than 2 microns that do not dissolve in water but remain suspended throughout the liquid. Some examples include:

• Inorganic substances: sand, sediment
• Organic waste: algae, bacteria
• Other particulates: clay, silt

Understanding Total Suspended Solids (TSS) is essential for effective wastewater management and maintaining water clarity and quality. High TSS levels typically result in high turbidity, making the water appear cloudy or murky and reducing visibility.

Why Total Suspended Solids Matter: Impacts of High TSS

High levels of TSS can have significant environmental and health effects:

• Environmental impacts:
  • Reduced dissolved oxygen levels in water
  • Harm to aquatic life and ecosystem disruption
  • Increased water turbidity
• Health concerns:
  • Potential presence of harmful bacteria and heavy metals
  • Risks of gastrointestinal issues and other health problems
  • Cloudy water with high total susupended solids should not be consumed unless it has been properly treated and confirmed safe.
• Treatment process effects:
  • Reduced efficiency of wastewater treatment systems
  • Potential for anaerobic digestion and biogas production in severe cases

Common Sources of Total Suspended Solids in Wastewater

Total Suspended Solids in wastewater can originate from both natural and human-related sources. Natural contributors include erosion, stormwater runoff, and algae growth. Human-induced sources are more varied and often industry-specific, such as manufacturing, food and beverage production, landfill leachate, and runoff from urban water use. Understanding the origin of TSS in your system is critical for selecting the right treatment strategy.

How to Reduce Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in Wastewater

Reducing TSS effectively starts with three key steps:

1. Measuring your current TSS levels
2. Understanding the required discharge limits
3. Applying the appropriate treatment technologies

Accurately measuring TSS is the first step in developing an effective treatment strategy. Here are the most common methods.

Measuring Total Suspended Solids in Water

Accurate measurement of TSS is vital for effective wastewater management. Methods include:

• TSS sensors or monitors: Capable of detecting levels from 1,000 mg/L to as high as 8% solids.
• Laboratory tests: Using EPA-approved methods for precise assessments.

Proper measurement ensures treatments are tailored and effective. Now that we have our TSS measurement, let's look at how to determine the required TSS levels for compliance.

Total Suspended Discharge Limits

Required TSS levels vary based on your discharge permit, discharge destination, and local regulations. Limits are typically set by municipal, state, or federal authorities and can differ significantly by region and industry type:

• Municipal sewer (POTW): < 350 mg/L (typical)
• Surface water (NPDES permit): Often < 30 mg/L
• Water reuse/recycling: < 10 mg/L
• Drinking water (post-treatment): < 1 mg/L

Regulations are state and region specific, and industries may face stricter limits based on the receiving water body, local water quality standards, or environmental sensitivity of the area. Always consult your discharge permit or local environmental authority. If you're unsure of your requirements, consult the regulatory agency that issued your discharge permit.

For reference, the Narragansett Bay Commission’s discharge limitations provide TSS thresholds based on industrial category and type of discharge.

TSS Removal Techniques

At bioprocessh2o, we specialize in sophisticated treatment systems for TSS reduction:

• Advanced filtration systems
• Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs)
  • Combine biological degradation with membrane filtration
  • Ideal for limited space and water reuse scenarios
  • Highly effective in TSS removal
• Sedimentation techniques
• Chemical treatment methods

Case Studies: Reducing Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

CASE STUDY: CENTRALIZED WASTEWATER TREATMENT INDUSTRY

Industry: Centralized Wastewater Treatment

Problem: A centralized wastewater treatment and recovery facility, was experiencing high concentrations of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) in the wastewater generated during their treatment processes. The local Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) demanded significant reductions in organic loading for discharge to the municipal sewer.

Solution: A combined bioFAS™ Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) system and bioFLOW Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) System were installed to reduce the BOD, COD, and TSS concentrations. The system included three (3) 50,000-gallon bioreactors for BOD and COD removal, followed by the MBR system for effluent polishing, biosolids concentration, and TSS removal.

Status/Results: The combined bioFAS™ MBBR and bioFLOW MBR Systems effectively remove more than 90% of the COD, virtually eliminate BOD, and significantly reduce TSS, allowing the facility to comply with local POTW effluent discharge requirements with minimal operator attention.

We've helped industries including food and beverage, industrial facilities, and landfills manage their wastewater solids effectively.

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CASE STUDY: LARGE-SCALE DAIRY PRODUCTION FACILITY

Industry: Food & Beverage (Dairy)

Problem: A large-scale cheese production facility needed to install a wastewater treatment system to reduce the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), ammonia, and phosphorus from a commingled process water stream generated during cheese and dairy production. This was necessary for compliance with a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) surface water discharge permit.

Solution: bioprocessH2O supplied a bioPULSE™ Airlift Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) system. This system incorporates energy-efficient airlift external tubular and back-washable membranes. The MBR treatment process was designed to meet and exceed the permitted effluent limits for discharge to a fresh water stream.

Status/Results: The bioPULSE™ MBR has proven highly effective at reducing BOD, TSS, ammonia, and phosphorus from the dairy process water, meeting all effluent discharge requirements.

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The bioPULSE™ MBR System achieved the following performance:

• 300,000 GPD of wastewater treated
• Over 99% BOD removal (from 1,150 mg/L to less than 3.74 mg/L)
• More than 98% TSS reduction (from 350 mg/L to less than 6.9 mg/L)
• Over 96% phosphorus removal (from 25 mg/L to less than 1 mg/L)
• Effective ammonia reduction to less than 1 mg/L

This case study showcases the effectiveness of the bioPULSE™ MBR system in treating dairy wastewater. The system's ability to significantly reduce BOD, TSS, ammonia, and phosphorus levels demonstrates its capability in managing complex wastewater challenges in the food and beverage industry, particularly in dairy processing.

The successful implementation at this large dairy production facility highlights how advanced MBR technology can help food processing facilities meet strict environmental regulations while maintaining operational efficiency. This solution not only ensures compliance with NPDES requirements but also contributes to sustainable water management practices in the dairy industry.

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Best Practices for TSS Management

1. Regular monitoring and measurement
2. Implementing source reduction strategies
3. Optimizing treatment processes
4. Employing advanced technologies

Conclusion: Commitment to Sustainable Wastewater Management

At bioprocessH2O, we go beyond regulatory compliance by delivering treatment technologies that solve real-world TSS challenges and promote long-term water sustainability. We strive to provide technologies that address TSS challenges efficiently and contribute to sustainable water management through effective solids management and comprehensive TSS analysis.

For assistance with your TSS management needs, contact bioprocessh2o. We're here to help you achieve optimal wastewater treatment results.