Management of process performance at low water temperatures in respect of filamentous organisms

The management of sludge-settling properties in Nordic conditions is of importance during the low temperature (spring) season because of the peak settler load. A survey was made in 10 Finnish waste water treatment plants (WWTP's) and the total extended filament length and DSVI in half of the plants exceeded the limits, which indicates sludge bulking (15 km/g SS and 150 ml/g respectively). The dominant organism was Microthrix parvicella, the abundance of which was 59.22% of total extended filament length on average. Chemicals were tested to control the filaments, and it was found that special attention has to be paid to maintaining the nitrification at low temperature. A dosage of (H2O2-based) oxidants controlled the growth of Microthrix parvicella effectively and rapidly, whereas with the use of aluminium hydroxidechloride a 2 to 5-week period was needed to decrease the filament length.