
Water treatment and wastewater treatment can be impacted by seasonal variations such as temperature changes or precipitation patterns. Seasonal variations ultimately can make a huge impact on physical treatment processes, which can push for necessary operational adjustments in wastewater treatment. Let’s look more into the impacts of seasonal variations and how they affect treatment processes.
What Seasonal Variables Affect Water Treatment Processes?
There are many seasonal variables that can affect water treatment processes, and knowing and understanding these variables can help understand how the water treatment process should be changed to accommodate them. Here’s a more in-depth look at these variables and how they can affect water treatment specifically.
Temperature Changes
Temperature changes, like high temperatures, generally make chemical reactions more prominent, which can impact disinfection processes. Biological treatment processes rely on microorganisms that are sensitive to temperature changes, so warmer temperatures can increase microbial activity and lead to problems like oxygen depletion or damaged equipment. Colder water is more viscous, which can slow down filtration or sedimentation processes if the temperature drops. Overall, temperature is a huge factor when looking at the effects of wastewater treatment.
Precipitation
Precipitation, like snow or rainfall, can increase runoff and increase contaminants like pesticides, fertilizers, or sediment into these water sources. Increased rainfall can dilute wastewater, which could result in a need to adjust the treatment processes to accommodate this. Precipitation is a naturally occurring phenomenon, but when it comes to wastewater, it can make for changes in the process.
Increase of Organic Content
Falling leaves and other natural contents that are more prominent in the fall can add natural pollutants to the wastewater, which can bring a need for more treatment and removal of the debris. Algal blooms are also a naturally occurring part of summer months, usually, but they can cause odor or taste problems in the water. Organic content is natural, but an increase in this content can make for a more tedious wastewater treatment.
Water Quality Changes
Higher temperatures can not only affect the water in other ways, but they can also affect the hardness of the water due to it dissolving more minerals. These dissolved minerals can make for adjustments in the treatment process and can ultimately change the tediousness of the process.
Effects on Wastewater Treatment Processes
Seasonal effects are causing changes in the wastewater treatment processes, which means that there are changes in the way the treatment is done. Here’s a look at the main areas that are usually changed when it comes to seasonal effects affecting the water quality.
Water Quality Fluctuations
Water quality fluctuations can make it difficult to keep up with treatment due to the varying quality fluctuations. Storms, snowmelt, or flooding can make for changes in the water quality that need to be assessed and treated. Agal blooms also make for an increased amount of treatment to the water as well, due to the taste, odor, and filtration needing to be changed or even increased.
Chemical Treatment Adjustments
Seasonal changes mean that the chemical treatments need to be changed based on the type and amount of chemicals getting into the water. Changes in coagulant and disinfectant dosages will be made by season and also based on the amount of precipitation occurring. Temperature changes in winter or summer months can also result in chemical reactions in the water, making the process of chemical filtration adjust as well.
Disinfection
Disinfection is a part of a regular water treatment; however, UV and chlorine disinfection processes can be affected by temperature and even water clarity. Cold water temperatures can also reduce the rate of killing pathogens in water. This could be due to the increase in pathogens, but also the decrease in efficiency due to the water temperature being low.
Operational Impacts Due to Seasonal Changes
Seasonal changes affect not only the water treatment process but also the operational systems as well. Machines and structures can take on additional stress due to freezing conditions that affect pipes, valves, and exposed systems. Corrosion can also be a huge effect of temperature fluctuations, from low temperatures to higher temperatures. There is an increased wear for equipment as well during the high flow seasons. Preventative maintenance can also be increased during seasonal stress points to help keep machines in check and allow for a smooth water treatment process.
How to Adapt Strategies for These Seasonal Variations
There are many ways to adapt the water treatment process and strategies to accommodate seasonal changes. Many wastewater treatment facilities already have regular changes that they make to accommodate seasonal changes, but here are a few changes that are typically made to accommodate seasonal changes.
Adjusting operational setpoints like aeration rates or sludge retention time can help with taking on changes in seasonal changes. Seasonal dosing protocols for chemicals also vary by season because of the changes that happen in the water. Enhancements for infrastructure, like insulated and weather-resistant designs, will be implemented during certain seasons. During high storm seasons, there is also a need for extra precautions when it comes to stormwater management systems and overflow controls.
Final Thoughts on Seasonal Changes in Wastewater Treatment
Seasonal changes can have a huge effect on wastewater treatment when it comes to changes in temperature or precipitation. These seasonal changes are often anticipated, but there are variations in changes that happen in wastewater due to them, like a difference in chemicals, alga bloom, or other effects that result in a need for more intense treatments. To prepare for these changes, there is a need for proactive designs, adaptive management, and monitoring to ensure the consistent treatment performance all year round. These fluctuations in seasons can cause flow volume, water quality fluctuations, and infrastructure vulnerability.
With all of this being said, there is a need to keep up with these changes and stay on top of treatment differences in the wastewater. At Lakeside Equipment Corporation, we bring a full variety of systems that you can use for wastewater treatment. We understand the need to have this equipment in order to keep up with seasonal changes and differences in pollution. With our systems, you can easily implement these changes to keep up with seasonal effects on treatment and keep your equipment running smoothly despite the changes. Contact us today to learn more.