Joint Municipal-Industrial Wastewater
Treatment Based On Pilot Plant Studies
THOMAS J. McBRIDE, Assistant Superintendent
DEAN M. TAYLOR, Superintendent
Wastewater Treatment Division,
Metropolitan Sewer District,
Louisville and Jefferson County, Kentucky 40211
INTRODUCTION
Man, explorer and conqueror of space during the 60's, must meet what some would call
the greatest challenge of all during the 70's, the control and preservation of his most
important resource — water. In this decade, pollution problems will continue to increase
because of the growth in population and profusion of industrial enterprise. Changing
technology will continue to introduce new and more complex wastes requiring the
development and implementation of revolutionary treatment methods. To stem the tide of
the ever increasing water crises will require the employment of sound engineering practice
and significant monetary investments. Because of the magnitudes of these investments, it is
considered essential that practical and economically feasible solutions be employed.
A concept that is considered economically attractive is the regional approach to
wastewater management. This planning method is encouraged and supported by the
Federal Government by their willingness to provide an additional 10 percent in
construction grant monies for approved pollution abatement projects. Another approach
that has been gaining attention of late, is the handling of industrial wastewater in publicly
owned treatment plants. The Louisville project is an illustration of the latter concept.
This paper is a report of the results of a detailed pilot study that permitted the selection
of a program that not only should result in minimized costs for the treatment of waste flows
generated by 500,000 persons and an industrial complex contributing 15.8 million gallons
per day, but should optimize treatment performance as well.
The technical staff of the Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District
completed this work with the full cooperation of the industrial participants. The resultant
data and conclusions were reviewed and evaluated by the District's consultant, Consoer,
Townsend and Associates, Chicago, Illinois.
WASTEWATER CHARACTERISTICS
Industrial Waste
The industrial participants, with the exception of one, are part of a complex,
commonly referred to as "Rubbertown," that is located in the southwestern section of
Jefferson County, Kentucky on or near the Ohio River. These industries, the Rohm & Hass
Company, E.I. duPont DeNemours & Company, Airco Alloys and Carbide, Division of
Air Reduction Company, and B.F. Goodrich Chemical Company, are within three miles of
the Municipal Treatment Plant. The exception is a refinery owned by the Ashland Oil
Company that is located approximately one quarter mile north of the Municipal Plant.
Before committing the effort beyond the formative stage, the District required each
industry to submit the following information:
(1) A specific flow rate for the year 1974
(2) A brief, generalized description of the plant process or processes
(3) A complete flow diagram of the plant's process waste streams
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