Problem: The Tellico Area Services System, a water and wastewater utility in Maryville, Tennessee, built the Niles Ferry Wastewater Treatment Plant to treat 2 mgd. The original facility used a drying bed to dewatering biosolids, a labor-intensive process requiring manual labor with a backhoe and shovels as often as three times a week.

Solution: The new facility has a Volute Dewatering Press from PWTech that yields much drier biosolids and requires minimal labor and maintenance. It automatically thickens, dewaters and conveys biosolids to a truck container without staff intervention.    

Result: Cake from the drying beds contained 13% solids; the dewatering press yields 20% solids. Benefits include reduced landfill fees and reduced emissions from truck hauling, and reduced landfill stress. Other benefits include odor elimination and consistent operation regardless of the weather. 410-238-7977; www.pwtech.us