The Package Plant Operations Department is responsible for ensuring proper operations of the various package plants.

 

This requires traveling county wide, conducting operational testing to ensure quality, and reporting any problems as needed. The package plant facilities include the Lower Scioto WRF, Northstar Re-use facility, Scioto Reserve Re-use facility, Tartan Fields Re-use facility, Scioto Hills WWTP, Hoover Woods WWTP, and Bent Tree WWTP.

The daily essential job functions performed by the department include, but are not limited to:

  • Inspects package plants to ensure proper operations and compliance. Must possess the ability to follow critical verbal instructions, work alone, and manage weekly and daily routine duties.
  • Field testing for plants including following: pH, chlorine residual, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, ammonia, nitrates, phosphorus, aeration tank concentrations, and return sludge concentration.
  • Monitors the facility and all SCADA computers and reports abnormalities or problems to supervisor or on call personnel.
  • Laboratory testing including the following: total solids, volatile solids, mixed liquor suspended solids, and microscopic examinations.
  • Perform proper calibration methods of laboratory and field meters. Completes proper maintenance to keep all equipment in working condition.
  • Collect samples and deliver to regional treatment facilities. Must manage chain of custody reports and record sample data in spreadsheets as required in the appropriate NPDES permit or LAMP permit.
  • Performs routine and corrective repairs and also takes preventative measures to protect equipment.
  • Performs routine grounds maintenance including but not limited to mowing, trimming, snow removal, painting, and mulching.
  • Must comply with all Ohio CDL laws.
  • Removal of sludge from facilities with proper equipment.

 

Critical Skills and Expertise

  • Ability to obtain knowledge of activated sludge process.
  • Ability to learn required lab and field testing procedures.
  • Ability to learn about package plant equipment units such as pumps, air lift pumps, PD blowers, centrifugal blowers, telescopic valves, valves, gasoline pumps, pressure washers and have the ability to learn certain mechanical tasks such as preventative maintenance measures including oil changes and greasing, and exercising of equipment.
  • General ability to read and understand drawings, sketches, diagrams, blueprints, or maps as may be used in performance of duties.
  • General ability to distinguish the different locations and operational characteristics of each plant and to follow a proper time management plan to ensure that all facilities are visited on a scheduled basis.
  • Ability to use computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.
  • Ability to learn to interpret the process control methods and relate to the treatment process to determine condition of plant’s biology, operational targets and wasting amounts.

 

Certifications Required

  • State of Ohio Commercial Driver License
  • Ohio EPA Wastewater Operator Class I or II (Operator of Record)

 

Certifications Preferred

  • Ohio EPA Wastewater Operator Certification.
  • OWEA Wastewater Lab Analysis Certification.

 

Departmental Programs

 

The Package Plant Operations Department is responsible for maintaining the overall operation of treatment plant processes. There are several different programs that have been established in order to maintain compliance with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) and Land Application Management Plans (LAMP).

The specialized programs established to maintain regulatory compliance are as follows:

  • Project Planning – There are many projects such as plant upgrades, anoxic zone installation, tertiary filter upgrades/repairs, and tank cleaning that require initiation by the operations department. Part of the planning process for project completion is to start with a Plan of Action (POA) meeting. The POA should be scheduled and presented to those departments that will have an impact on the project completion.
  • Process Control – Daily process control methods reveal what is going on within the treatment process. Process control methods include, but are not limited to centrifuge spin (aeration tank concentration) settleability, ammonia testing, nitrate testing, dissolved oxygen readings, pH reading, and alkalinity. With special attention placed on these methods it will help the operators make sure the plant is operating successfully in order to meet NPDES & LAMP compliance.
  • Sludge Disposal – Solid wasting is a requirement for compliance. If solids are not removed from the treatment plant then it has the potential of causing significant damage to the process. Operators are tasked daily to calculate how much solids need to be wasted from treatment. Solids are wasted directly to the digesters. In order to get the most solid disposal the operator will try to decant water from the settled sludge back to the headworks. The biosolids are then transferred via 4200 gallon tanker truck to a regional facility, either OECC or Alum Creek.
  • Groundwater Monitoring – Operators at the three package plants which have land application management plans must obtain groundwater samples. These samples are then reported to the Ohio EPA twice per year. Maintaining these wells is also a duty for the package plant operators.

 

Occupational Hazards

 

The Package Plant Operations Department is subject to a wide variety of occupational exposures while performing the routine daily duties. Many of the exposures may often cause acute and chronic health conditions and possibly serious health related issues. The Regional Sewer District Joint Health and Safety Committee works diligently to identify work related exposures and provide technical standard operating procedures and hands-on training to protect the employees from illness and injury in the workplace. The most common hazards that the Package Plant Department face each day includes, but is not limited to:

  • Arc-Flash
  • Electrical Shock
  • Forklift Operation
  • Crane & Hoist Operation
  • Confined Space Entry
  • Hazardous Atmospheres
  • Blood Borne Pathogens