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Waste Management and Utilization Engineering Final Report

John Felkins, Jacob Clemmenson, Richard Colley, William Bamberg
Team Leader: John Felkins
BSEN 5230
April 27th, 2016
__________________________________________________________________

Abstract

This project is pretty cool, i think that it will probably change my life forever. Parkerson Mill
Creek is one of the major stream systems that flows through the Auburn, AL area. Our group
selected a site for waste stream collection based on the agricultural use for the land surrounding a
tributary for that creek. The design recommendation from our group is to install both a riparian
buffer, and manure lagoon on the southeast side of the property. This design will cost
approximately $13,500 for the manure lagoon, and $6,750 for the riparian buffer. If followed
correctly, this design should remediate potential contaminants from beef cattle manure that
currently flows off of the property and directly into the Parkerson Mill Creek tributary.
Objectives
The objective of this project is to design an anaerobic lagoon system for the management,
treatment, and utilization of an agricultural waste or wastewater of concern. All agricultural
production processes result in wastes of biomass or organics materials that contain matter and
energy properties or characteristics that are potentially reusable for economic or energetic gain.
This lab will design a system for management and treatment of the waste and resource utilization
for your particular waste and loading rate scaled per acre of production operation in the region.
Our specific system design will focus on biological treatments, including natural and ecological
treatment systems.
Site Selection
Parkerson Mill creek is the main pollutant collection stream for the Auburn University area, our
collection point for the wastewater deals with a tributary of Parkerson Mill creek. Several beef
cattle pastures totaling to approximately 50 acres of farmland drain into our waste stream. Our
group chose the stream closest to this site in order to evaluate the water quality and pollutants on
a per animal basis caused by this operation. The site has approximately 50 head of cows on the
property, and this number will be the basis of our design calculations. The small size stream is
anticipated to have a high loading rate, and this will be determined by a chemical analysis
performed in lab. An aerial representation of the stream is depicted below:

Figure 1. Site of analysis

This site selection will allow our group to evaluate an agricultural wastewater source, that is in
close proximity to urban areas. Therefore, it is more critical for pollutants to be remediated at
this site, rather that other sites.
With the majority of the soil being of the Marvyn loamy sand soil type and the rest Pacolet sandy
loam this helps to slow runoff, but also allows quality drainage. The soils positive drainage
qualities will be a substantial benefit to our project. The permeability is moderate in the subsoil
and moderate to moderately slow in the substratum. The Pacolet sandy loam soil can allow rapid
runoff during large storm events. The slope of the site selection is minor, and should not cause
problems with erosion if proper vegetation is left in place. The slope that is in place runs toward
the tributary and allows all wastewater to be collected and treated at one area. Below is a table
displaying the soil type for the area of interest. (Soil Survey Staff)

Table 1: Soil Types for selected site

Waste Characterization
Total Solids
As part of the wastewater characterization procedure, our group determined the total, volatile,
and fixed, and settleable solids in the sample. Solids analysis is the principal analytical test used
to determine the physical properties of a wastewater or waste slurry and it is important for the
characterization of pollutant loads on natural water bodies. The volatile solids reduction achieved
in a treatment process is one principal method of determining the state of the process and the
effectiveness of its operation. Fixed solids are a measure of the non-combustible, nonbiodegradable and inert material of the waste.
Another measure of solids often used for dilute waters is Total Dissolved Solids (often
abbreviated TDS), which is an expression for the combined content of all inorganic and organic
substances contained in a liquid which are present in a molecular, ionized or micro-granular
suspended form. Generally the operational definition is that the solids must be small enough to
survive filtration through a sieve size of two micrometres. The principal application of TDS is in
the study of water quality for streams, rivers and lakes, although TDS is generally considered not
as a primary pollutant (e.g. it is not deemed to be associated with health effects), but it is rather

used as an indication of aesthetic characteristics of drinking water and as an aggregate indicator

of presence of a broad array of chemical contaminants.
Settleable solids refers to material of any size that will not remain suspended or dissolved in a
holding tank not subject to motion after a specified period of time, and exclude both TDS and
TSS. Settleable solids may include larger particulate matter or insoluble molecules. The standard
test for settleable solids consists of placing a water or wastewater sample in a 1-L Imhoff cone
and noting the volume of solids in millimeters that settle after a specified period of time.
Table 2 and Table 3 provide the recorded weights obtained during completion of lab 2; giving
specific weights for each of three aluminum dishes without filters and with filters, respectively,
as well as the average weight of the dishes. In the two tables below, the recorded weights are as
follows:
W1 = Original weight of aluminum dishes without filters
W2 = Weight of dishes after adding 25 ml of sample and placing in oven overnight
W3 = Weight of dishes after placing in furnace for 15 minutes
W4 = Original weight of aluminum dishes with filters
W5 = Weight of dishes + filters after sample has been run through filters and placed in oven
overnight
W6 = Weight of dishes and filters after being placed in furnace for 15 minutes
Table 3. Part 2 Results
Dish Number

Mean
Value

Standard
Deviation

1.987

1.986

1.977

1.983

0.00450

1.990

1.989

1.979

1.986

0.00497

1.989

1.988

1.978

1.985

0.00497

Mean
Value

Standard
Deviation

1.867

0.00082

W
4

W
5

W
6

Table 2. Part 1 Results

Dish Number
1

1.867

1.866

1.868

W
1

W
2

1.870

1.869

1.871

1.870

0.00082

1.869

1.867

1.869

1.868

0.00094

W
3

Results obtained for the calculation of the amounts of different types of solids for Part I and Part
II are provided below in Table 4 and Table 5, respectively. Calculations were performed for
each aluminum dish using the specific weights recorded in Part I or II, then the mean value and
standard deviation for the different types of solids were determined from the calculated values.
Table 4. Part I Calculation Results (mg/l)

Dish Number

Mean
Value

Standard
Deviation

Total Solids

120

120

120

120.0

0.00

Volatile Solids

40

80

80

66.7

23.1

Fixed Solids

80

40

40

53.3

23.1

Table 5. Part II Calculation Results (mg/l)

Dish Number

Mean
Value

Standard
Deviation

Total Suspended Solids

15

15

10

13.3

2.89

Volatile Suspended Solids

5.00

0.00

Fixed Suspended Solids

10

10

8.33

2.89

For Part III, our sample had an organic content of approximately 0.1 ml/l of settleable solids at
the end of the required time period. There were not enough settleable solids in the sample to
form even a 1 ml layer of solids at the bottom of the Imhoff cone, just some tiny specs around the
very bottom.
The term solids is generally used when referring to any material suspended or dissolved in
wastewater that can be physically isolated either through filtration or through evaporation. This
lab determined the amount of Total, Volatile, and Fixed solids as well as the amount of
Suspended solids. Wastewater treatment consists of physico-chemical processes focused on

removing many of these solids. Sedimentation is used for settleable solids, and will be
implemented into our design through the use of the manure lagoon.
COD
Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is an important parameter for wastewater characterization and
control of agricultural runoff. Our wastewater was analyzed in for COD content in the third lab
of the semester. COD testing evaluates all chemically oxidizable substances and can be directly
associated to the true oxygen demand enacted by the wastewater if released into the
environment. It is an important, rapidly measured parameter for wastewater characterization and
control of waste treatment plants.
Using a spectrophotometer, the chromic ion absorbance was measured and determined to be 0.08
and 0.10 for both of the tubes containing the potassium dichromate. The absorbance for our
sample was read to be in the low range, and these absorbance readings had an average of 0.09 A.
Using the COD Low Range Calibration Curve, it was determined that the COD was
approximately 7.6 mg/L. Using the mathematical equation for COD of
COD = [-183.82*Abs-60.893],
the COD was verified. This reading is extremely low for our wastewater, and signifies a very low
oxidizable organic matter content. Due to the minimal measured values, our COD was assumed
to be much higher than the measured value allowing the implementation of our final design.
Nitrate is a problem that may cause interferences in the COD measurement, but concentration
levels rarely exceed levels that are significant; this could have lead to the lower COD reading.
We chose to evaluate the COD analysis, because it is an accurate method that allows for results
to be read within a few hours rather than a comparative 5 days for BOD measurement. It was
determined through analysis of our wastewater that the sample was found to have an extremely
low COD (7.6 mg/L).
In anaerobic lagoons simple sugars, volatile fatty acids, and alcohols degrade within hours, and
are converted into methane and carbon dioxide with traces of hydrogen sulfide and water vapor.
Also, hemicellulose, fat, and protein will degrade in a few days, although cellulose and lignin are
usually left intact. The gasses given off by the digester will contain 40% to 70% methane.
(USDA, 2007)
Nitrogen and Phosphorous
The design recommendation for this farm is focused on the removal of nutrients and the
prevention of their release into the environment. Nitrogen and phosphorus occur in various
forms in waters and wastewaters and can cause severe problems in aquatic systems. Methods of
removal for these nutrients rely upon adequate knowledge of the mass concentrations of these
elements in the wastewater. Our wastewater samples were filtered, then diluted and placed in
spectrophotometers to obtain their absorbance. The values obtained were compared to those
obtained from curves of standard solutions and concentrations of the total nitrogen (TN) and total
phosphorus (TP) were obtained.
In waters and wastewaters the forms of nitrogen of greatest interest are, in order of decreasing
oxidation state, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and organic nitrogen. Organic nitrogen includes such
natural materials as proteins and peptides, nucleic acids and urea, and numerous synthetic

organic materials. Ammonia is present naturally in surface and wastewaters. Its concentration
generally is low in groundwaters because it adsorbs to soil particles and clays and is not leached
readily from soils. Nitrate is found only in small amounts in fresh domestic wastewater but in the
effluent of nitrifying biological treatment plants nitrate may be found in concentration of up to 30
mg nitrate as nitrogen/ L. Nitrite is an intermediate oxidation state of nitrogen, both in the
oxidation of ammonia to nitrate and in the reduction of nitrate. Such oxidation and reduction
may occur in wastewater treatment plants, water distribution systems, and natural waters. Total
nitrogen can be determined through oxidative digestion of all digestible nitrogen forms to nitrate,
followed by quantitation of the nitrate.
In a properly operating lagoon, conditions enrich anaerobic decomposition. The pH will be at or
above neutral, in contrast to most storage facilities which stay at a more acidic environment .
Manure has a long retention time in most anaerobic lagoons, allowing for complex chemical and
biological interactions to occur. Nitrogen will be converted into NH4 and NH3 by biological
activity in the lagoon. When conditions favor ammonia volatilization, NH3 will be lost to the
atmosphere. Ammonification is accelerated by high pH and warmth inside the lagoon. (USDA,
2007)
Phosphorus occurs in natural water and in wastewater almost solely as phosphate. These are
classified as orthophosphates, condensed phosphates (pyro- meta- and other polyphosphates),
and organically bound phosphates. Phosphates are used extensively in the treatment of boiler
waters. Orthophosphates applied to agricultural or residential cultivated land as fertilizers are
carried into surface waters with storm runoff. Organic phosphates are formed primarily by
biological processes. Phosphorus is essential to the growth of organisms and can be the nutrient
that limits the primary productivity of a body of water. Phosphates also occur in bottom
sediments and in biological sludges, both as precipitated inorganic forms and incorporated into
organic compounds. Phosphorus analyses embody two general procedural steps: (a) conversion
of the phosphorus formx of interest to dissolved orthophosphate, and (b) colorimetric
determination of dissolved orthophosphate.
The lagoon has little effect on phosphorus within the manures, other than moving some of the
dissolved portion into the bodies of bacteria that carry out the anaerobic digestion process. All of
the phosphorus present in the manure will still be present in the lagoon sludge. (USDA, 2007)
Lab data from the Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorous (TP) lab resulted in very low
values for both parameters. Due to the complications with designing a treatment system, values
will be assumed to be higher than reality in order to design a functional system. The data from
the lab depicts the Nitrogen and Phosphorous values for each of the dilutions conducted. From
each dilution, the absorbance was analyzed for either Nitrogen or Phosphorous so that the Total
Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorous (TP) can be determined. If compared, Table 6 and Figure
2 show that the solutions dilution ratio is inversely proportional to the Total Nitrogen. That is, as
the solution becomes less diluted, more nitrogen can be observed.
Table 6. Total Nitrogen Data and Analysis

Figure 2. Total Nitrogen Analysis

This is also true for the Total Phosphorous in this solution. As it becomes less diluted, more
phosphorous can be seen. These results can be seen in Table 7 and Figure 3.
Table 7. Total Phosphorous Data and Analysis

Figure 3. Total Phosphorous Analysis

These are the expected results when analyzing a wastewater sample. In wastewater it is often
common for there to be an excess in nutrients, especially Nitrogen and Phosphorous. This can be

accounted for in rainwater run-off situations and only increases when around agricultural
waterways. Our sample is experiencing an excess in nutrients, which could be a cause of the
wastewater sample color.
Waste loads and flow
Stream flow rate was not measured at our site during the collection, due to a lack of equipment to
measure the flow. Because of this, Streamflow data was used from the USGS National Water
Information System was acquired to use as an assumption of the flows for our stream. This
assumption is considered accurate because the stream depth and width are similar, and the
average flows will vary at the same rate due to the fact that they are in very similar rainfall
regions.

Figure 4. Chewalcla Creek monitoring site

Figure 5. of Discharge from Chewalcla Creek from April 19th - April 26th

The graph above describes the daily discharge from Chewalcla Creek in ft^3/s, we will use the
median value of 25 ft^3/s for our design analysis.

Figure 6. Design Recommendation Flow Chart

Design Recommendation
Our design recommendation encompasses the perspective of the farmer, and the ability of the
farmer to implement these techniques on his or her farm. This reduction in pollution should be
sufficiently remediated before entrance back into the Parkerson Mill Creek tributary. A riparian
buffer and manure lagoon are advised to be implemented for this specific site, based on the
calculations from our wastewater.
Riparian Buffer
For the 53.2 acres from which manure and other wastes enter the stream, the runoff for a storm
with a 25 year return period was calculated to be 2.74 in and the peak runoff flow rate for a 25 yr
storm was calculated to be 190.7 cfs. The calculations used to obtain these values can be found in
the Appendix. A riparian buffer would function in slowing the flow of wastewater exiting the
field, allowing the pollutants to be naturally remediated by various vegetations; as well as,
provide sufficient space around the creek which will further reduce the chance of contamination
by agricultural usage. Fencing should be established around the exit point of the stream and
upstream a distance of approximately 60 to 70 m in order to keep cattle from entering the
riparian buffer and dropping manure in the remediation area. There are two figures on the
following page which offer some insight on the recommended riparian buffer. Figure 7 shows
the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) recommendations for riparian planting
zones, and Figure 8 represents an example of this riparian buffer outlined by a fence which is
represented by the red line. A cost estimate for construction of the riparian zone and the fencing
materials results in a final cost of approximately $1,835. The sources of this cost can be viewed
in Table 8 below.
Table 8. Cost Estimate for Riparian Zone and Fencing
Source

Priced by

Unit Cost

Units Required

Total Cost

Barbed wire

1320 ft roll

$80.00

1 roll

$80

Fence post

5 pack

$55.00

80 post

$880

Fence ties

25 pack

$3.50

10 bags

$35

Excavation

/cu yd

$2

400 cu yd

$800

Compaction

/cu yd

$0.20

200 cu yd

$40

Final Cost

$1,835

Figure 7. Riparian Planting Recommendations

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs144p2_043594.pdf

Figure 8. Fenced Riparian Zone

Manure Lagoon
Due to the high amount of nitrogen found in the wastewater sample, our group recommends the
implementation of an anaerobic manure lagoon. Lagoons function in Carbonaceous BOD
removal and stabilization of the waste (Tchobanoglous et al., 2014). This lagoon will function in
removal of nitrogen and remediation of other pollutants before the waste is released into the
Parkerson Mill Creek tributary. This lagoon is the most cost-conscious solution for the farmer,
who is incapable of spending large amounts of money on sophisticated waste treatment systems.
Lagoons are a popular, low cost solution to the problem of runoff from the fields, which will
consist of manure, occasional fertilizer, and organic matter excesses. Figure xx below illustrates
the construction of a manure lagoon.

Figure 8. Lagoon Construction

https://foodfreedom.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/the-ecological-impacts-of-animal-agriculture/
Considerations
The site selected for the construction of the lagoon resides in a very urban area, this leads to odor
concerns due to the high population concentration of the Auburn area. Other considerations are
with the soil type, and through the soil mapping from the NRCS it was determined that the
property would need to have a sealant clay fill dirt trucked in to the site to properly seal the
bottom of the pond. Long term storage of the biosolids require removal twice every year, through
the use of a mud pump (Tchobanoglous et al., 2014).
Specifications
The designed lagoon will intake all agricultural runoff from every acre currently used in beef
cattle production. This water, along with all manure will be retained in the lagoon where it will
undergo biological pollutant remediation before being released into the stream. A significant
buffer will be built in order to separate the cattle production area from the lagoon and subsequent
creek. Sizing of the lagoon is illustrated in Figure 9 below:

Figure 9. Diagram of Lagoon

It was determined through the use of an extension article from the University of Missouri (2014),
that our manure lagoon would include a 75ft by 75ft. This was calculated by scaling down the
intended size of the lagoon from its original purpose of remediating the waste from 120 head of
beef feeder animals to 50 head of beef feeders. This is based on a 1:1 cow to acre of farmland
ratio, and will allow the design to be implemented to this specific site. Also, the depth of the
lagoon plays a large role in odor elimination of the manure sludge. To compensate for this odor,
our group recommends a lagoon depth of 15ft. A lagoon of sufficient depth will also allow for a
more thorough mixing of lagoon contents by increasing the amount of natural aeration by rising
gas bubbles. Per recommendations from the extension article, the slopes of the lagoon should be
constructed with a 3:1 slope ratio in order to ensure sufficient safety when any type of
maintenance, such as mowing, is performed. In the event of an emergency, a spillway should be
installed on top of the dam at the end of the lagoon closest to the creek.
The lagoon should be sealed with a geotextile liner. This liner should be comprised of reinforced
polypropylene, which has excellent puncture resistance. The EPA has various standards the liners
have to meet, this ensures that the liner is hardy enough to last throughout the service life of the
lagoon.

Handling Equipment
When construction of the lagoon begins heavy equipment such as trachoes, bulldozers, and
tractor will be needed to dig, slope and level the lagoon. Laser graders should be used to insure
that a 3:1 slope is created all the way around the lagoon. Also, the bottom of the lagoon should
be carefully graded to ensure the the bottom is completely flat.
Once the lagoon has filled and the outlet pipe needs to be opened to allow lagoon to drain, full
protective gear should be worn by the person opening or closing the pipe. The person should

always avoid direct contact with wastewater, always wear rubber gloves, protective eyewear, and
protective clothing when working with wastewater.
Efforts should be made to make the lagoon as clean and pleasing looking as possible.
Embankments should have a solid grass cover for both appearance and erosion control. The grass
cover should be mowed and maintained as needed. These practices help ensure access to the
lagoon areas and improve appearance. Possibly since the lagoon would be within public view, a
row of trees could be helpful to hide the view and may deflect winds (and odors) upward from
the lagoon. A well-maintained lagoon is much less likely to attract attention and cause
controversy. A fence should be provided all the way around the lagoon to prevent access by
trespassers and livestock. Warning signs should be posted around the fence warning no
trespassing allowed.
Economics/Cost-Analysis
The two primary costs for the project is the digging of the lagoon and the price of lining the
lagoon. Cost estimates for excavating the lagoon suggests that per cubic yard costs vary from
$1.00 to $3.50. The price for lining the lagoon is approximately $0.32 per square foot with most
companies charging an initial charge of $4000 per farm. Also, an extra 8% should be included
for anchoring. While clay liners are not as effective or reliable, but if needed clay liner costs are
70% of the cost of plastic liners even with 100% of the clay being imported. Finally, before a
lagoon is built the site must undergo a geological investigation which is priced on a per acre of
lagoon basis. Adding the cost of the dikes being disked, seeded, and mulched. The
Environmental Protection Agency suggests that these costs could be up to $1,180 per acre. The
table below shows the costs for our specific lagoon. (North Carolina State University, 2005)
Table 8. Cost Analysis of Lagoon.

Add cost analysis of the buffer

Conclusion
Playing key roles in determining physical properties of wastewater or waste slurry, reprocessing
wastes and characterization of pollutant loads, solids analyses like those performed on this water

sample are important steps in building up to wastewater treatment. Proper wastewater treatment
is necessary for environmental health. Our group used multiple processes in order to determine
water quality is acceptable for consumption by humans, livestock, and crops. Nutrients in
wastewaters are of utmost concern for removal, and are a primary focus of many treatment and
polishing steps for prevention of release into the environment. Parkerson Mill Creek is one of the
major stream systems that flows through the Auburn, AL area. Our groups site for waste stream
collection was based on the agricultural use for the land surrounding a tributary for that creek.
Our recommendation for the farmer is to install both a riparian buffer, and manure lagoon on the
southeast side of the property. This design should remediate potential contaminants from beef
cattle manure that currently flows off of the property and directly into the Parkerson Mill Creek
tributary, and result in a product

References
Sawyer, C. N., McCarty, P. L., and G. F. Parkin, Chemistry for Environmental Engineering, 5th
ed., McGraw-Hill, 2003.
*Image Credit: http://www.fao.org/docrep/v5380e/V5380E17.GIF

Oram, B. (2014). Total Dissolved Solids and Water Quality. Water Research Center.
Environmental Consultants Inc. Available at: http://www.water-research.net/index.php/watertreatment/tools/total-dissolved-solids.
Standard Methods for the Examination of Waste and Wastewater
Calibration curves for lab

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/al/nwis/uv/?site_no=02418760&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States

Department of Agriculture. Official Soil Series Descriptions [Online WWW].
Available URL: http://soils.usda.gov/technical/classification/osd/index.html
[Accessed 26 April 2016]. USDA-NRCS, Lincoln, NE.
North Carolina State University, Agricultural and Resource Economics. "Cost and Returns
Analysis of Manure Management Systems." TECHNOLOGY REPORT: ANAEROBIC
LAGOON AND SPRAYFIELD (July 2005). Web. 26 Apr. 2016.

USDA. "Manure Chemistry- Nitrogen, Phosphorus, & Carbon." Natural Resource Conservation
Service (August 2007). NRCS. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
Tchobanoglous, George, H. David Stensel, Ryujiro Tsuchihashi, Franklin L. Burton, Mohammad
Abu-Orf, Gregory Bowden, and William Pfrang. Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and
Resource Recovery. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2014. Print.

Appendix