Sludge Reduction at a State Park – Testimonial

Wastewater Lagoon Sludge Reduction at Glendo State Park

Proper maintenance of wastewater treatment lagoons is important for protecting groundwater, nearby surface waters, and long-term treatment performance.

At Glendo State Park in Wyoming, a sludge assessment was conducted to evaluate changes in lagoon solids and compare current conditions with measurements from the previous year.

According to Mark J. Court, Registered Wastewater Specialist with the Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems, the results showed a substantial reduction in accumulated sludge following the use of microbial treatment products.

“The overall savings ranges from $13,200 to $15,900.”

Mark J. Court
Registered Wastewater Specialist

Pond 1 Sludge Reduction

During the previous year's assessment, Pond 1 had a reported sludge volume of approximately 29.0%.

The sludge solids concentration was estimated at approximately 12% to 14%, with projected dredging costs ranging from:

$16,500 to $19,900

During the follow-up assessment, sludge volume had decreased to approximately 13.4%.

The estimated solids concentration was also lower, ranging from approximately 9% to 11%.

Based on those measurements, the estimated dredging cost decreased to approximately:

$5,700 to $7,000

This represented an estimated cost reduction of:

$10,800 to $12,900

Pond 2 Sludge Reduction

Similar results were observed in Pond 2.

The sludge volume decreased from approximately 10.9% to 6.9%, while the estimated solids concentration declined from 12%–14% to 9%–11%.

The previous estimated dredging cost for Pond 2 ranged from:

$5,100 to $6,000

Following the reduction in sludge volume, the updated estimated dredging cost was approximately:

$2,400 to $3,000

This represented an estimated savings of:

$2,700 to $3,000

Estimated Lagoon Dredging Cost Savings

Based on the sludge measurements from both ponds, Court estimated that Glendo State Park had reduced potential dredging costs by approximately:

$13,200 to $15,900

These results illustrate how biological sludge reduction and routine lagoon monitoring may help facilities reduce accumulated organic solids and potentially delay or reduce the need for mechanical dredging.

Supporting Long-Term Lagoon Maintenance

A proactive wastewater lagoon-management program can help operators:

  • Monitor sludge accumulation

  • Maintain treatment capacity

  • Reduce organic solids

  • Identify changing lagoon conditions

  • Plan future dredging requirements

  • Protect groundwater and surface-water resources

  • Reduce long-term maintenance costs

For lagoon systems experiencing increasing sludge depths, regular sludge profiling combined with appropriate biological treatment can provide valuable information for long-term maintenance planning.

Respectfully,

Mark J. Court
Registered Wastewater Specialist
Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems

The results and cost estimates above reflect measurements and projections from this specific wastewater lagoon system. Actual sludge reduction and dredging costs can vary based on lagoon design, solids characteristics, treatment conditions, disposal requirements, contractor pricing, and other site-specific factors.