Use of Biostimulants and Buffers for Upset Recovery in Paper Mill Wastewater Systems

By Heather Jennings, PE

Industrial pulp and paper wastewater is considered one of the more challenging waters to treat using biological methods, which depend on microbial activity to effectively remediate the wastewater.

Wastewater treatment systems are often influenced/impacted by increased hydraulic and/or COD (chemical oxygen demand) loading as mills add new chemicals or otherwise modify mill operations. These events oftentimes inhibit the wastewater microbial activity, causing “upsets” and, potentially, discharge-limit violations. However, providing the necessary biostimulants and buffers to the microbial system—as we describe in this case study from a paper mill in China—can significantly improve system-upset recovery time and overall operational stability. Continue Reading

The Water Break Podcast, Episode 7: Anaerobic Digesters

“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers”

In Episode 7, Heather Jennings discusses Wastewater Anaerobic Digesters with Kay Curtin. Kay is an Advanced Wastewater Operator in Wisconsin and a Level A Wastewater Operator in Minnesota, with 45+ years’ experience in wastewater. She is currently working with the Wisconsin Rural Water Association as a trainer/technician for Western Wisconsin and has her own consulting business, Curtin Consulting, LLC. Topics covered in the podcast include anaerobic digester pros and cons, bacteria used, nutritional requirements, key operating parameters, main causes of failures, and typical operating issues.

Kay Curtin

Bio and contact info at Wisconsin Rural Water Association

Podcast Reference from Wanda’s Water Tidbit: The World’s Most Beautiful Sewage Plant
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