Brookings Municipal Utilities Wastewater Department Page
Please choose one of the following:
- Industrial Pretreatment Program
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Information
- Sump Pump Usage
- Locates
- Wastewater Problems
- Camel / Jet Vacuum
- Camera Inspection
- Wastewater Rates
- Water Main Specifications (revised 03/18/2008)
- Sewer Main Specifications (revised 03/21/2008)
- Application for Sewer Main Extension
Industrial Pretreatment Program
Industries and businesses located or planning to locate in Brookings are required to comply with the local Sewer Use Rules and Regulations. The local pretreatment program was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency in January of 1994. If there are questions about these regulations or you would like a copy of the regulations please contact the Pretreatment Administrator at 693-3287.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Brookings Wastewater Treatment Plant is located three miles south
of the city. It is a modern, extended aeration, activated sludge treatment
plant.
Collection
Wastewater is collected throughout the city and flows with the aid
of several lift stations and gravity to the treatment plant through underground
collection lines.
Pretreatment
Once at the plant, the water is lifted from the collection lines
into the facility by large 54" screw pumps. Once inside the plant, the
wastewater passes through 1) a course screen to remove large debris, 2)
grit chambers to remove sand and gravel, 3) comminutors or grinders to
grind solids to size passing 3/8" opening and 4) a flow measuring flume.
Collectively, these are referred to as pretreatment.
Biological Treatment
The clarified water continues on through the plant to the first step in
the biological treatment process. Biological treatment utilizes Rotating
Biological Contactors (RBC's) to remove a portion of the dissolved foods
present in the water.
Following the RBC's, the water is pumped to aeration basins using screw
pumps. The aeration basins provide the necessary environment for micro-organisms
to grow and feed on the waste in the water. These organisms, as a group,
are called activated sludge.
The next process is to separate the water from the activated sludge. The
separation takes place in large settling basins. The microorganisms settle
to the bottom of the basins and are pumped out to be used again in the
aeration basins.
The clarified water is cleaned further by passing through sand filters.
These are "Traveling bridge" filters which automatically backwash the
sand to keep the filter in continuous service. After filtration, the water
is disinfected with chlorine.
Discharge into the Big Sioux River
After an appropriate contact time for the chlorine to kill the bacteria,
the water is released to the Big Sioux River. On the way to the river,
the chlorine is removed from the water by a chemical called sulfur dioxide.
The water released into the river is crystal clear in color, far exceeding
the cleanliness of the river itself. This discharge into the river meets
and exceeds all state and federal regulations.
Sump Pump Usage
Brookings Municipal Utilities rules and city ordinance 16-93 require Brookings wastewater customers to route their sump pumps out of the sanitary sewer system between March 15th and October 15th each year. Utility personnel begin inspections for compliance on March 20th. The fine for users found to be in non-compliance is up to $200.00 per day.
Locates
If you are planning to do any digging on your property, please check with Brookings Municipal Utilities. The Water/Wastewater department will locate water and sewer lines at no charge. The procedure will take between ten to thirty minutes. Contact the Service Department at (605) 697-8418 to set up an appointment.
Wastewater Problems
If you are having any problems with your sewer system or have a sewer smell in your home or business, please call (605) 697-8418 and let us know. We will be happy check out you problem or let you know what needs to be done. Sometimes we can fix a problem with information given to you over the phone.
Camel / Jet Vacuum
Our Camel / Jet Vacuum is a large truck with a big tank and a hose that goes over the cab.
The Camel is used to clean out wastewater lines that have been clogged with roots and/or blockage from grit and debris. The Camel has two tanks, one with fresh water to flush out debris and the other to collect and hold debris. High-pressure water pushes a line through the blockage. When it's pulled back it drags back the debris and the large hose that is over the cab vacuums it up.
Camera Inspection
The Wastewater Department does periodic camera work on wastewater lines. Inspection allows us to find cracks, collapsed lines, root problems and leaking service lines.
By using the camera we are able to locate problems and correct them before they become major problems. The Water and Wastewater Department is responsible for eighty-two miles of water lines and seventy-nine miles of wastewater lines.
Wastewater Rates
(Effective with Jan. 1, 2008, Billing)
Residential Rate
Wastewater is computed at the rate of $2.24/100 cu. ft. of water used, plus $8.00 service charge for the months of December, January, February and March. The average of these four months will determine the monthly wastewater charge for the following eight months.
Commercial / Industrial Rate
Wastewater is computed at the rate of $2.24/100 cu. ft. of water used, plus $8.00 service charge for each month of the year.
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Brookings Municipal Utilities
525 Western Avenue / P.O. Box 588
Brookings, South Dakota 57006
(605) 692-6325
