Design criteria for waste water lagoons in Oregon

Graduation date: 1963Waste water lagoons have been used as a satisfactory means of\ud treating domestic and certain industrial wastes in many parts of the\ud country. Many of the parameters that govern the applicability of this\ud type of treatment process are climatic in nature, and critical evaluation\ud of local climatic conditions, as well as biological and physical\ud conditions, is essential to determine their effects upon the successful\ud operation of waste water lagoons. The objects of this thesis are\ud to review and evaluate the research, design and operational data of\ud waste water lagoons in this State and in other locations, for the purpose\ud of determining, if possible, better design criteria for waste\ud water lagoons in Oregon.\ud More specifically, the waste water lagoon process and the various\ud parameters that affect the process were studied. Data pertaining\ud to the climatic conditions prevalent to this State were compiled\ud and evaluated. Research and operational studies conducted\ud here at Oregon State University and other installations were reviewed\ud to determine the limitations of climatic, biological and physical factors\ud that affect the waste water lagoon process.\ud Results of this study reveal that climatic conditions prevalent\ud in the State of Oregon do not preclude the use of waste water lagoons\ud in this State, and that the present design criteria of 20 pounds of 5-day, 20° Centigrade, Biochemical Oxygen Demand per surface acre\ud per day is workable and contains a factor of safety. Water balance\ud studies are necessary, especially in portions of the State where extreme\ud climatic conditions prevail, or where seasonal loading variations\ud can be expected. Failure of waste water lagoons in Oregon\ud and other States have resulted from factors other than the presently\ud accepted loading criteria. The importance of operation, maintenance\ud and the collection of operational data cannot be overemphasized.\ud In conclusion, this study reveals that the waste water lagoon\ud process is especially adaptable in smaller communities where other\ud means are economically infeasible