The City
of Belton’s wastewater treatment facility is located on
60 acres approximately 5.5 miles south of Belton city limits,
at 211th Street and Mullen Road. The facility began operation
in June of 1994. Our purpose is to safely provide a system for
disposal of waste matter, particularly those containing human
waste, while staying in compliance with state and federal regulations.
There are
two general functions of the division, the first being what
we call the collection system. Simply put, this collection system
covers approximately 22 square miles. It consists of a network
of over 110 miles of underground piping; 2,400+ manholes; and
8 pump stations. This collection system conveys sewage to the
treatment facility where it is treated following guidelines
and limits imposed by Missouri Department of Natural Resources
(MDNR), and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
Additionally, It is the current goal of the Maintenance Division
to clean each sewer line every three years.
The treatment
process is the second function of the Pollution Control Division.
Belton’s treatment facility uses an activated sludge process,
operating in the extended aeration mode. It consists primarily
of an orbal (race track) unit with mechanical surface aerators,
three clarifiers, and two belt press’ for de-watering
the final sludge product. The de-watered sludge is hauled to
a landfill in the KC metro area.
The treatment
facility was designed to treat an average daily flow of 4.63
million gallons, and a peak flow of 7.63 million gallons per
day. After the biological process of reducing and removing sludge,
the treated wastewater is released into East Creek which is
a tributary of the South Grand River and Truman Lake. With that
said, it’s obvious why staying in compliance with state
and federal regulations is extremely important. We are protectors
of water quality.
The city
is in the process of planning the next upgrade to the treatment
facility which consists of adding some type of disinfection
process. This process is required by MDNR to be in operation
by July 26th 2011. From there, plant expansions are being planned
over the course of the next 20-years to occur as growth in town
continues and sanitary sewer flows increase at the treatment
facility. In addition, a long term plan is being developed to
further study and address suspected deficiencies within the
collection system.
The City of Belton Pollution Control Division currently staffs
11 full time employees, one seasonal worker, and a part time
administrative assistant.
About
sewer backups:
The Pollution Control Division on occasion, receives complaints
about sewage backing up into basements, crawlspaces, drains,
etc. These problems are generally caused by excessive grease
and other inappropriate debris being disposed of by households
and businesses into the sanitary sewer system. The following
is a partial list of items that should not be disposed of in
the sanitary sewer system:
• Fatty foods
• Grease drained from fatty foods
• Cat litter
• Animal carcasses
• Diapers
• Large rags
• Motor oils
• Gasoline
• Anti-freeze
• Paints
• Construction debris
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Old prescription drugs
• Any other toxin, pollutant or waste not normally disposed
of in a sanitary sewer system
When sewer
backups are investigated, the majority of the problems are found
to be in the customers' service line, which runs from the residence
out to, and includes the hook-up to the city sewer main. The
city responsibility begins at the sewer main. If you experience
troubles with your drains the Pollution Control Division has
staff available 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call (816) 331-7789
for assistance. An alternate number, (816) 331-4331 can be used
in case of emergency. A recording is available with after hours-contact
information.
More
useful information:
Facts
About Sanitary Sewer Backups
Fat-Free
Sewers- How to Prevent Fats, Oils, and Greases from Damaging
Your Home and the Environment
Smoke,
Dye and Television- Ways and Reasons to Fix Sewer Defects On
Private Property
Stop
Sewer Backups- How to Safeguard Your Home and the Environment
by Disconnecting Downspouts
Put
Your Plumbing On a Healthy Diet
1-800-DIG-RIGHT
United
States Environmental Protection Agency
Missouri
Department of Natural Resources
Water
Environment Federation
Missouri
Water Environment Federation
Missouri Water and Wastewater Conference
American
Public Works Association, Kansas City Chapter
