Polishing of Secondary Effluents and Treatment
of Bypasses by Deep Pond Method
PAUL T. HICKMAN, Superintendent
Sanitary Services
City of Springfield
Springfield, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
In presenting this paper to those of you who are attending this conference
today, I hope to outline the problem with which our city was confronted, the
method of approach, and the results that have been obtained. In addition, I would
also like to point out that we consider the facility, of which I am going to speak, as
probably the first in a series of advanced waste treatment methods for further
protection and enhancement of the environment in our area.
BACKGROUND
The metropolitan area of Springfield, Missouri is a community of some
120,000 people within the corporate limits and an estimated 15,000 neighbors in the
immediate surrounding area. The City has enjoyed a rather phenominal growth in the
past an estimated 15,000 neighbors in the immediate surrounding area. The City has
enjoyed a rather phenomenal growth in the past we who live here feel that one of the
major reasons is its setting in one of the most scenic, interesting and favorable areas
in the country.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AREA
Springfield is located in the southwestern section of the State of Missouri along
the edge of the Ozark Plateau and hills and the surface elevation varies from 1160 to
1400 feet above sea level. This plateau area is underlain with limestone bedrock
containing many fractures and solution channels. Sinkholes and springs are common
to the area. This topography and geology has caused many problems and complicated
solutions to water pollution control. In fact, it was because of this that a detailed
pollution investigation study was requested of the Environmental Protection Agency
to determine the major causes and possible cures to these problems. As a result of
this request, a comprehensive study was made under the direction of EPA's Robert S.
Kerr Water Research Center located in Ada, Oklahoma, with assistance from the
Missouri Water Pollution Board, the United States Geological Survey, the Missouri
Geological Survey, the National Park Service, the United States Weather Bureau and
the City of Springfield. The study was completed and the report submitted in July,
1969. I will comment on a few of the details of the findings of this report a little
later.
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