Compliance, Testing, and Programs
Lab Testing
The City of Cape Girardeau has a state-of-the-art laboratory for testing to keep our facility in compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit guidelines. Both influent (water that comes in), and effluent (water that is released) are tested. We also perform testing during the process to optimize operational controls.
The workers in our lab are responsible for performing analysis on the influent, effluent, and solids. The results of these tests enable operators to make process control decisions. This teamwork approach helps to keep the microorganisms healthy and our facility running effectively.
Tests are routinely performed on:
- BOD—Biochemical Oxygen Demand
- TSS—Total Suspended Solids
- E.coli
- pH Level
- Dissolved Oxygen
- Temperature
Pretreatment Program
Pollutants from major industries can hurt the municipal treatment facility processes and contaminate water. To protect the wastewater facility and environment, our pretreatment program requires industrial dischargers to use treatment techniques to reduce or eliminate the discharge of harmful pollutants to sanitary sewers. The pretreatment program is a core part of the federally-required Clean Water Act’s NPDES Permit.
FOG Program
The City of Cape Girardeau’s Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program helps protect the collection system and wastewater treatment facility. The pretreatment staff performs inspections of food service establishments to ensure they have functional grease traps. Water and oil do not mix, therefore when grease is washed down the sink it clogs pipes because it is thicker than water. Even if oil is poured down the sink as a hot liquid substance, once it cools it will solidify, presenting the same problem. If grease collects in pipework, eventually blockages and backups will occur. These problems can then spread into the main sewers and cause issues for wastewater treatment facilities, as grease interferes with organisms that digest wastewater.
Education
Classes are offered for water and wastewater professionals at the Wastewater Facility. Many of these courses are DNR certified and help to maintain certification hours for DNR Clean Water Certificate of Competency Licenses.