The Clear Take on Water and Wastewater Today

The Clear Take on Water and Wastewater Today

Keep Your Options Open

Alan MeyerFor 30 years, PeopleService has served Midwest communities operating a variety of water/wastewater systems and technologies. We’ve learned a lot through the years, and we make it our business to stay current – if not ahead of the curve – on what works. New product compositions (as in detergents and drug compounds) keep us on our toes in this regard.

What Works is not one thing. It always depends…on what we’re dealing with (see note above), the city’s system, land geography, weather, budget, regulations and more. What Works can be enhanced or limited by restrictions or mandates. And, of course, What Works is affected most by who is there to make it work. Experience and a depth of knowledge are key to this equation. States and the EPA throw regulations, requirements and recommendations at us all the time. Knowing how to act/react to these in a timely manner saves time and money today and it will down the road, as well.

Here’s an example

A recent recommendation by a government agency is to maintain – or go to – lagoon systems. We manage lagoon systems in communities we serve, and this natural state of breaking down wastewater works just fine. It has for years. We also serve communities by managing mechanical wastewater treatment plants, like the one in Maryville, MO. One upside to the mechanical plant is that the use of technology can be adapted to handle whatever comes our way, such as an ever-expanding list of pollutants that continue to emerge. Heavy metals, phosphorus and nitrates in the water supply have made the process of wastewater treatment more complicated. (Read more about PFAS in this newsletter.)

Mother nature is really great at working to clear biodegradable pollutants in wastewater and for that, lagoons work. Having an option to treat biodegradable and man-made pollutants through mechanical plants seems like the option to ensure we can all handle what comes our way. I think it’s always good to keep your options open.

Tell me what you think. I’m interested in your point-of-view.

Alan Meyer
Alan Meyer
Chairman & CEO
877-774-4311