Wastewater Treatment

The Wastewater Division collects wastewater from homes and businesses, with more than 830 miles of underground gravity flow sewer mains, 8,202 manholes for inspection and maintenance, and 3 lift stations to pump sewage uphill when needed.

Daily duties

• Clearing sewer stops and cleaning sewer lines.
• Smoke testing to identify points for inflows.
• CCTV video inspection to verify system integrity.
• Line replacement, rehabilitation and point repairs.
• Responding to sewer overflows to protect public health and safety.
• Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program responsible for inspecting hundreds of grease traps.

Wastewater Treatment Process

Hamby Water Reclamation Facility & Indirect Reuse Project

• The Hamby Water Reclamation Facility incorporates Biological Nutrient Removal and Membrane Bioreactor technologies to produce a very high quality effluent water source. 
• Advanced Treatment processes were incorporated as part of an Indirect Potable Reuse Project that can produce 7 million gallons per day of new raw water supply for Abilene.
• Preliminary treatment unit removes grit and large solids from wastewater.
• Biological Nutrient Removal provides biological and chemical reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus.
• The MBR (Membrane Bioreactor) facility filters wastewater through hollow fibers to remove even very fine particles.
• Filtrate is stored in a covered tank to protect it from foulants.
• Filtrate is either discharged, reclaimed, or pumped to advanced treatment processes.

Advanced Treatment

Filtrate is treated with ozone prior to biological activated carbon filters or treated using reverse osmosis. Water from each treatment type is combined and disinfected prior to discharge into Lake Fort Phantom Hill.

Industrial Pre-Treatment Program

Wastewater quality is protected against industrial pollution through an Industrial Pre-Treatment Program. Industrial users are required to treat wastewater to certain standards before it is released into the municipal sanitary sewer system.