Full-Scale Plant Operation
of
Multi-Mode Waste Treatment Plants
JOHN E. REA, JR., President
Rea Engineering & Associates, Inc.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
INTRODUCTION
The Multi-Mode Waste Treatment Plant now in operation in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, was
designed in 1968, with the encouragement and help of the late John Christian Van Dyke,
DSChE, then Dean of Saint Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Oklahoma City.
Recognition was given to the need for an experimental plant that would permit
research on the use of chemical coagulation in combination with biological reduction and
stabilization of organic waste.
The problem was to design a plant that could receive State Health Department
approval in at least one mode of operation, while being so designed as to permit research in
alternate modes of operation. Multi-mode was the answer.
The City of Sapulpa. Oklahoma, is situated in the metropolitan area of Tulsa, and
eight miles southwest of that city along U.S. Highway 66 and the Turner Turnpike. The area
between the two cities is developing industrially with both light and heavy industry.
A ridge separates the northeast quadrant of the developed area of Sapulpa from the
remainder of the city. The Southside Waste Treatment Plant served the city in 1968, with
waste from the northeast quadrant lifted over the ridge.
It was observed that one plant located northeast of Sapulpa could serve both the
northeast quadrant and the growing industrial area between Sapulpa and Tulsa.
Bonds were voted for the plant in the spring of 1968, and contracts were made with Rea
Fngineering& Associates, Inc., of Oklahoma City, to develop plans for the plant.
The plant was designed in the fall of 1968, with construction commencing in 1969 and
completion being in June, 1970.
Because of the plant design and the proximity of the plant location to industry, it was
proposed to the City of Sapulpa that the development of an effluent from the new plant be
made that would be suitable to recycle to industry for industrial use.
Legend
POLUK'HA
Figure 1 -    Multi-mode system: Mode
No. I.
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