East Cedar Creek Fresh Water Supply District (ECCFWSD) operates two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The South WWTP is located along the east side of Hwy 198 just north of the entrance to the City of Enchanted Oaks, and serves the southern area of the district. The North WWTP is located in an unincorporated area on Hammer Road, just off Welch Lane in Gun Barrel City and serves the district’s northern sector.
The wastewater treatment process at both of these plants is relatively simple but produces impressive results. Influent entering the plants is introduced to millions of microscopic organisms which utilizes the organic waste as food. This controlled process is simple yet complicated, but is one of the most dominate practices used to convert domestic wastewater to regulatory permitted discharge qualities beneficial to streams creeks and alternative uses such as irrigation.
When a plant is operating properly, there is no smell to the treatment process. Wastewater is aerated during the treatment process and never allowed to go septic. Wastewater treatment is generally a clean process for plant staff.
At the district’s North WWTP, wastewater coming into the plant passes through bar screens and grit traps, removing debris and sand, before flowing into one of two large oval shaped oxidation ditches, commonly called racetracks.
Both wastewater collection systems are a combination of conventional gravity sewer and a considerable amount of pressure sewer which often starts with low pressure grinder pumps at individual residences.
The grinder pump portion of the two systems is widely used in subdivisions adjacent to the lake. These locations are well below normal operating grades for a gravity sewer system.
Pressure systems were initially developed in response to the enactment of stricter water quality regulations designed to protect drinking water around surface water impoundments, such as the Cedar Creek Reservoir.
Wastewater collection begins at the homes and businesses of district’s customers, either by gravity or under pressure. Residential or business gravity or pressure lines connect to sewer main lines which connect to other sewer main lines, and eventually to one or two main lines flowing into one of the district’s two wastewater treatment plants.