Wastewater Treatment Facility

The City of Sidney WWTF is staffed by three operators, who operate and maintain the equipment and facility that receives wastewater from both residential and commercial sources. The Wastewater Treatment employees are under the directions of the Public Services Director.

Wastewater Facility

  • Upgraded in 2010
  • Two basin Sequencing Batch Reactor
  • Two Aerobic Sludge Holding Tanks

SBR Process

  • Several phases to each batch
  • Reduces levels of carbonaceous biochemical oxygen
  • Reduces levels of ammonia
  • Reduces levels of Nitrates
  • Reduces levels of total nitrogen
  • Reduces levels of total suspended solids

Reducing the levels in the waste streams is required to meet the levels for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit. This is required by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality before the treated water is allowed to be discharged into the Lodgepole Creek.

The treated water must also pass toxicity testing so the receiving streams aquatic life is not harmed.

Sludge Handling

  • Sludge that is removed from the SBR’s are treated in our Aerobic Sludge Holding Tanks.
  • The aerobic sludge digestion is micro-organisms decomposing and oxidizing organic material in the presence of air.
  • The sludge goes thru sludge holding process and then is dewatered by going through our belt filter press.
  • The sludge is thickened from 1.5% solids to 17% solids and then stored in our sludge drying beds until it is disposed of in accordance with EPA’s 503 sludge regulations.

Discharge of Unpolluted Waters

No person shall discharge any unpolluted water

  • Storm water
  • Surface water
  • Ground water
  • Roof run off
  • Interior or exterior foundation drains
  • Cooling water into any sanitary sewer

Prohibited Discharges

  • Gasoline
  • Benzene
  • Naphtha
  • Fuel oil
  • Flammable liquids
  • Solids
  • Gas
  • Any water containing toxic or poisonous substances that would injure or interfere with sewage treatment.
  • Any water having a ph lower than 6.0 s.u.