SynTerra and Charleston brewery test constructed wetland technology

By Kevin Campbell (Posted June 26, 2018):

SynTerra is conducting microcosm-scale testing at Holy City Brewing. Results support the viability of using a constructed wetland to treat brewery wastewater.

While enjoying a beer, you probably don’t ponder what happens to wastewater from the beer-making process. Nevertheless, brewing beer creates about eight times as much wastewater as it does beer. Processing wastewater poses necessary, and often costly, tasks for breweries. For some brewers, like Holy City Brewing of Charleston, SC, environmental concerns also figure prominently in their business objectives.

Recognizing that a constructed wetland might be the solution, Holy City Brewing partnered with SynTerra and the College of Charleston. SynTerra responded with an innovative project that includes pilot testing of a microcosm-scale constructed wetland at the microbrewery. The testing so far has supported the viability of using a constructed wetland to treat brewery wastewater.

A constructed wetland has the potential to reduce biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and levels of total suspended solids (TSS) in Holy City Brewery’s wastewater before it reaches the North Charleston Sewer District (NCSD) sewer line. SynTerra believes that this technology will be well-received by all stakeholders: environmental agencies, Holy City Brewing, and the general public.

Constructed wetlands have been used for decades to successfully treat various industrial and municipal wastewaters. Wetlands generally consist of shallow basins through which water flows and contacts wetland flora, soil, and microorganisms. By controlling water flow and using appropriate plants and soils, natural processes are enhanced to efficiently clean the wastewater.

Constructed wetlands have a proven track record for addressing BOD, solids, and pH levels in wastewater from operations like breweries. Constructed wetlands typically produce no additional waste streams, are robust, are easy to construct, and seldom require chemicals. In addition to being less expensive to operate and maintain than traditional wastewater treatment systems, constructed wetlands are an environmentally sustainable treatment method that can be an attractive focal point for a brewery wanting to showcase green technology.

The SynTerra pilot constructed wetland study included 12 monitoring cycles comparing inflow water with outflow water. SynTerra began monitoring on March 6, 2017, and concluded May 12, 2017. Parameters monitored were five-day BOD, total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, and pH. At the beginning and end of the study, oil and grease, ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, and phosphorous were also measured.
Results indicated that TSS decreased by approximately 80 percent between wetland inflow and outflow, average pH increased to 5 from about 3.7 and stabilized, and BOD levels did not significantly decrease. Because BOD removal by the wetlands was not consistently observed, pre-treatment by mechanical means may be needed. SynTerra is investigating pre-treatment options for BOD.

The conceptual wastewater treatment design using constructed wetlands described below will improve wastewater quality by decreasing TSS and stabilizing pH. If BOD treatment is incorporated, the constructed wetlands will provide “polishing” treatment before discharge to the public sewer or, eventually, the creek.

The next step in evaluation of constructed wetlands is to pilot test additional primary treatment that would occur before wastewater reaches the constructed wetland. Factors to be evaluated are:

Use of EQ tank of significant volume (pH and flow controlled)
Use of primary treatment (reduction of filterable solids and BOD)
Evaluation of polish wetland (below-grade wetland, surface-flow wetland)

SynTerra has communicated with several breweries throughout the Southeast about this technology and is identifying a partner craft brewer for phase two pilot testing. That pilot study will include improvements identified from the pilot study at Holy City Brewing. Additionally, it will provide data required for full scale implementation at an innovative and ecologically-minded microbrewery.

Kathy Webb, P.G.

Senior Market Leader | Principal

Kathy, a founder of SynTerra (previously The Fletcher Group) in 1992, has completed remedial investigations and regulatory compliance projects associated with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facilities, state and federal Superfund sites, solid waste landfills, brownfield redevelopment, utility coal combustion residual (CCR) management units, and regulated industrial facilities. She has supported litigation as an expert witness related to chlorinated solvents, metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Kathy is known for her practical assessment strategy with the perspective of the client’s business objectives. She routinely evaluates groundwater corrective action systems for effectiveness and progress toward achieving compliance objectives. She has also co-authored a trade journal paper with case studies of low-impact remedial strategies. Kathy is a licensed Professional Geologist in North and South Carolina.

Mark Taylor, P.G.

Principal

Mark has worked more than 40 years in natural-resource based industries. His expertise includes mine geology and mine engineering, hydrogeologic and geotechnical investigations, solid and hazardous waste management, and regulatory negotiations. He has published peer-reviewed papers about coal geology, ore geochemistry, mineralogy, and solid waste management. He is a leading expert in mining and environmental permitting for litigation support.

Mark is licensed as a Professional Geologist in South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Washington. He serves on the boards of the Upstate Red Cross and Upstate Forever. He served on the South Carolina Board of Registration for Geologists for six years. Mark holds a Master’s degree in Geological Sciences from The University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Science from Harvard University.

Andrea Kehn, P.E.

Vice President of Engineering | Principal

Andrea, leader of our Civil & Environmental Engineering Business Unit, has 28 years of experience in chemical manufacturing and environmental consulting. She leads and supervises staff professionals on multidisciplinary projects for a variety of industrial clients. Andrea’s vast experience and expertise includes: air quality construction and operating permitting; air quality modeling; air permit record-keeping and reporting; Oil Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP); NPDES Permitting; water quality modeling; process safety management; risk management compliance and auditing; and RCRA compliance.

Andrea is registered as a Professional Engineer in South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.

Ruth Albright, P.E.

Vice President | Principal

Ruth has led projects for major industrial facilities throughout the Southeast and beyond. She built her knowledge of environmental regulations and their application to manufacturing operations while working for the second largest chemical manufacturing company in the United States. At SynTerra, she has expanded both her knowledge and reputation working for chemical manufacturing operations of all sizes. She has also worked extensively with other manufacturing operations, including pulp and paper, industrial equipment, pharmaceuticals, food, and automotive parts and assembly. Her experience includes air and wastewater permit compliance, solid and hazardous waste management, solid waste construction permitting, hazardous materials transportation, wastewater treatment systems, air pollution control equipment operations and maintenance, and ambient air monitoring systems.

Ruth is a professional engineer registered in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Michigan, Arkansas, and Kentucky. She is an active member of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Environmental Technical Committee and serves as the chair of the water subcommittee. She has previously served as the program and committee chair for the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce Environmental Affairs committee. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University.