Construction is continuing at the treatment plant in West Bountiful, where a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) is being installed as a major addition to the facility. This technology is intended to reduce ammonia in wastewater to meet new nutrient limits mandated by the Utah Division of Water Quality.
The MBBR functions by using a large tank filled with thousands of small, free-floating plastic pieces called media. These pieces provide a large surface area for beneficial microorganisms to grow and form a biofilm. Aerators act as bubblers to supply air, keeping the water moving and ensuring bacteria meet fresh wastewater and oxygen. Through nitrification, specialized bacteria convert ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate, while other microbes use denitrification to convert nitrate into nitrogen gas, which is released into the atmosphere.
This addition is designed to provide the ammonia removal needed to meet lower permit limits, a task that current wastewater treatment processes at the plant cannot adequately achieve. By reducing ammonia levels before treated water is released, the system helps protect aquatic life and improves water quality entering the environment. Excessive ammonia can be toxic to aquatic life and contribute to harmful algal blooms that threaten ecosystems.
MBBR technology has been used in wastewater treatment since the 1980s, with the first full-scale installation occurring in Norway in 1985. While many processes at the West Bountiful facility date back to 1960, this new addition is being funded by fees and taxes to upgrade the plant for reliable service. The district notes that the project is an investment in protecting the community and the shared environment.
The district has provided a construction spotlight page on its website for those interested in seeing more work taking place at the North Plant.
