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District fixes blower header leak after ammonia exceedance; regulator notified
Summary
The water reclamation superintendent reported an ammonia exceedance linked to low dissolved-oxygen readings caused by clogged diffuser heads and a missing gasket on the blower discharge header; a temporary repair was made, permanent parts ordered and the regulator was notified.
The Michigan City water reclamation superintendent told the board June 24 that the district experienced an ammonia exceedance after low dissolved-oxygen levels at several aeration tanks. Staff traced the issue to clogged diffuser heads, multiple air leaks and, ultimately, a missing gasket on the blower discharge header that caused roughly half the blower air to be recirculated and the blowers to overheat.
Crews drained and inspected the affected tank, cleaned diffuser heads, located and temporarily repaired the discharge-header leak, and diverted flow to a stormwater basin during the emergency work. The superintendent said parts for a permanent gasket repair have been ordered and that the district proactively notified the regulator (referred to in the transcript as "item") and walked through corrective steps with the agency. Staff reported ammonia concentrations have since returned to normal and that no dead fish were observed in Trail Creek.
The regulator’s on-site review led to one recommendation: add tasks to the district’s preventive-maintenance program. The superintendent said the actions taken reduced plant risk and should improve dissolved-oxygen performance over time.
What’s next: permanent gasket installation when parts arrive, incorporation of additional preventive-maintenance tasks into the maintenance program, and continued monitoring and reporting to the regulator.
