How can you ensure that an aeration basin is functioning correctly?

Regularly monitoring dissolved oxygen (DO) levels is crucial for ensuring that an aeration basin functions correctly. DO levels are a direct indicator of the biological activity occurring within the aeration basin. The microorganisms responsible for breaking down organic matter require a certain range of DO to thrive and effectively carry out their metabolic processes. Maintaining optimal DO levels ensures that these microorganisms can efficiently consume the organic pollutants, leading to proper treatment and purification of the wastewater.

Monitoring DO levels allows operators to make real-time adjustments to aeration rates or other parameters, ensuring that the environmental conditions within the basin remain conducive to effective treatment. If DO levels are too low, the performance of the biological treatment process can be hindered. Conversely, levels that are too high may also lead to inefficiencies and wastage of energy resources due to excessive aeration.

In contrast, increasing chemical dosing, conducting an annual inspection, or minimizing water flow do not directly address the primary needs of the microbial community in the aeration basin and may not provide timely insights into the operational effectiveness of the system.