Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion

 LOCATION: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

 KEY PERSONNEL:

• Steve Bostic

 DATES: 1993-1994

  COST: $50 Million

 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:

• International Project
• Condensed Schedule
• Water Reuse
• Islamic Law Requirements
• Increased Waste Strength

LDA Engineering worked with SACE, a Saudi Arabia consulting firm, for the design of the expansion project. The flow capacity is 28,000 cubic meters per day or 7.5 MGD average flow and 54,000 CMD or 13.3 MGD during peak flow. Since the plant serves an industrial facility, the strength of the wastewater is stronger than normal domestic waste. The design bio-chemical oxygen demand is 500 mg/l and suspended solids are 500 mg/l.
LDA provided the process, mechanical, civil, and instrumentation design. SACE was managing the architectural, structural, and electrical design. The design provided by LDA included:

• Headworks with Grit Removal & Flow Measurement
• Enhanced Primary Clarification
• Activated Sludge Process with Jet Aeration & Normal Secondary Clarification
• Aerobic Digestion
• Chlorine Disinfection
• Sludge Drying Lagoons
• Reuse Water Facilities

The project design was required to be on a condensed schedule, and therefore, the entire design was completed in four months. The coordination effort and project management presented several challenges due to the 6,000 mile distance. The overall production effort was managed by Mr. Dunn and the local client relationship was maintained by SACE.
The effluent water was used for irrigation purposes, which also required adherence to the Islamic law on reuse water. The waste was nutrient deficient and a nitrogen and phosphorus source was also added to enhance the treatment process.