Problem: Camp Akita, a 1,200-acre camp in Ohio operated by the First Community Church, faced a critical challenge in 2013. The existing 8,000 gpd precast extended aeration plant, built in 1979, required replacement. The camp operated year-round, providing entertainment, food and lodging for up to 200 people. Complicating matters, the discharge stream was considered an exceptional water body, demanding compliance with Ohio EPA’s Best Available Demonstrated Control Technology for any new wastewater treatment plant.
Solution: EarthTek emerged as the chosen partner. Their Sabre SBR bid offered a 16,000 gpd package sequencing batch reactor treatment plant. This solution included a 20,000-gallon buried primary fiberglass treatment tank, two 8,000-gallon buried FRP SBR tanks for secondary treatment, mechanical filtration, ultraviolet disinfection, effluent flow monitoring, post-aeration and composite sampling for activated sludge treatment. The solution addressed the stringent BADCT requirements, provided flexibility with separate SBR tanks for seasonal variations, employed durable buried fiberglass tanks, and proved cost-effective compared to alternatives. Since its operation in the summer of 2014, the upgraded wastewater treatment plant consistently produced treated effluent meeting regulatory discharge permit limits: 10 mg/L BOD5, 12 mg/L TSS, 1 mg/L ammonia as nitrogen, and 125 count/100 mL E coli.
Result: This successful implementation ensured Camp Akita’s continued commitment to environmental compliance and sustainable operations. 800-972-9940; www.earthtek.com
