Issues with Your Lagoon Systems? Here’s What You Need to Know

What’s the Problem?

CDPHE is sending multiple violations and fines to lagoon systems that fail to meet effluent requirements. These penalties will continue until the systems ultimately comply.

However, repeated non-compliance can lead to severe outcomes, such as:

Forced shutdowns of wastewater treatment plants if regulatory standards are not met.

Loss of funding opportunities or grants for future upgrades.

Significant environmental damage to nearby water bodies due to untreated or poorly treated effluent.

For many communities, the potential of having no operational wastewater treatment plant is a risk they cannot afford. Acting now is critical to avoid these scenarios.

How to Get Your Lagoon System into Compliance

Meeting regulatory requirements starts with understanding your options and implementing practical, cost-effective solutions. Here’s what lagoon operators can do to address compliance challenges:

Option 1: Demolish the Lagoon and Build a New Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)

Pros:

Provides the most advanced and effective treatment capabilities, such as Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBR) or Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) plants.

Cons:

Cost: Both the upfront capital costs and long-term operating expenses of a mechanical plant are significantly higher than those of traditional lagoons.

Option 2: Modify the Existing Lagoon System

Many operators are finding success by upgrading their lagoon systems rather than replacing them entirely. These upgrades can include:

Enhanced Aeration Systems:

Improve dissolved oxygen levels to enhance treatment efficiency.

Clean or replace aeration equipment to maintain oxygen levels above 2 mg/L in treatment cells.

Sludge Management:

Regularly monitor sludge depth and remove excess sludge when it exceeds 25% of the lagoon’s operating depth to restore capacity and prevent effluent violations.

Algae Control:

Implement shading techniques or floating covers to reduce sunlight exposure.