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1 ' A Effluent Disposal Introduction After completing all stages of treatment, the next task is proper disposal of the final effluent. San Joaquin County Environmental Health Department has jurisdiction over the quality and method of effluent disposal. Order # contains specific effluent disposal requirements that relate to the disposal method required to protect public health. Typical required items noted in board orders are: • The direct discharge of waste or effluent to surface waters or surface water drainage courses is prohibited. • The bypass or overflow of untreated or partially treated waste is prohibited. Percolation Well Description There are 29 drywell seepage pits to dispose the treated effluent under ground. Percolation wells 1 through 18 are the oldest wells in the system and were installed during initial plant construction. Percolation wells 19 through 29 are newer wells. Well construction is the rock type. While the wells were initially bored to a 25-foot depth, solids accumulation has negated some of the effective use of certain wells. Percolation Well Theory of Operation Successful operation of a percolation well system has four basic requirements: • Initial construction should place the wells in an area that has soil strata makeup that percolates at an acceptable rate. • The constructed wells are not influenced by ground water. • Facility effluent has low solids and grease concentrations. • The percolation wells have a given capacity and will fail periodically if not rested. Wells are rested through rotating their use. Of the four requirements, the operations staff only have control over items 3 and 4. To protect the wells from receiving plant effluent high in solids concentration, the plant has been provided with a polishing pond. Proper use of the pond will assure protection for the wells. 7H Technical Services Group Operation &Maintenance Manual Effluent Disposal (Drywell) Page 18 of 26 Rev991215