Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for growth of plants and microorganisms. However, at too high a level, phosphorus in surface waters can have detrimental effects. Too much phosphorus in a body of water can result in severe algae blooms, which in turn creates unsightly growth along shorelines and reduced dissolved oxygen levels killing fish and other aquatic life. To help preserve the life our precious waterways, New Freedom Borough limits the amount of phosphorus that can be discharged from the Wastewater Treatment Plant to nearby receiving bodies of water. To achieve desired levels of phosphorus removal, Ferric Chloride Solution is dosed during the wastewater treatment process.
The ferric iron effectively traps the phosphate as a solid form, which can then be removed through the plants biosolids removal processes and assist in the overall flocculation and settling characteristics of the biosolids.
