CliniWater deploys the Integrated Wastewater Treatment Unit as a containerized or in-ground plant sized for the hospital’s daily flow (average plus two standard deviations). The unit employs a sequential batch reactor (SBR) cycle: fill, anoxic/oxic reaction promoting biological nutrient removal, settle, and decant. A fine bubble aeration grid maintains dissolved oxygen at 2–3 mg/L during the oxic phase, while a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) module with 0.04 µm pore size provides absolute solid–liquid separation, achieving effluent turbidity < 1 NTU. Excess activated sludge is wasted to the Sludge Treatment System, where a screw press dewaters to 20% dry solids before classified disposal.

Technical Note: The MBR requires a relaxation cycle of 1 minute every 9 minutes of permeation to control fouling. Transmembrane pressure must be trended daily; an increase of > 5 kPa per month indicates accelerated fouling and triggers a recovery clean-in-place with sodium hypochlorite.

Following the MBR, permeate flows to a baffled contact tank where the Sodium Hypochlorite Disinfection System doses to achieve a free chlorine residual of 2–5 mg/L after 30 minutes of contact time. A downstream Ozone Generator injects 5–10 g O₃/m³ via a venturi injector, providing broad-spectrum oxidative degradation of pharmaceuticals, endocrine-disrupting compounds, and color bodies not removed by the MBR. The ozone contact loop includes an off-gas destruct unit containing a manganese dioxide catalyst, ensuring residual ozone in the vented air is below 0.1 ppm. Treated effluent then passes through an Ultrasonic Flow Meter into a sampling manhole before discharge.

Technical Note: The ozone generator’s dielectric plates require cleaning every 6 months with isopropyl alcohol; contaminant buildup reduces corona efficiency and can generate nitric acid vapor, corroding downstream stainless steel components.

CliniWater equips the discharge point with a weatherproof kiosk containing an Online COD Monitor using the dichromate UV digestion method (range 0–2,000 mg/L, 15-minute update), an Online Residual Chlorine/pH Monitor with amperometric chlorine and glass electrode pH sensors, and a Suspended Solids Meter operating on the 90° scattered light principle. A flow-paced Automatic Water Sampler collects 1 L composite samples into a refrigerated compartment at 4 °C, programmable for 24-hour or flow-proportional aliquots. All monitors are connected via 4–20 mA and Modbus to a PLC that displays real-time values and triggers the Lifting Pump Station to divert non-compliant effluent into a 50 m³ emergency holding tank.

Technical Note: The COD analyzer’s reagent (potassium dichromate in sulfuric acid) is corrosive and must be replaced monthly. The waste reagent line must drain into a dedicated hazardous waste container; never connect to the sanitary sewer.

CliniWater builds a SCADA interface displaying the entirety of the wastewater treatment process on a single screen: inflow rate, SBR phase timer, MBR transmembrane pressure, chlorine dose rate, ozone generator output, and final discharge parameters. The system calculates the 24-hour rolling average COD and chlorine residual, overlaying the local discharge permit limits as horizontal red lines. A predictive alarm function warns when the COD trend indicates a permit exceedance will occur within 3 hours if no corrective action is taken. The Lifting Pump Station’s variable frequency drive adjusts speed to match inflow, maintaining the SBR’s hydraulic retention time within 18–24 hours.

Technical Note: The SCADA server must be located in a temperature-controlled room with anti-condensation heating; the wastewater treatment environment is corrosive to electronics. All exposed PLC and I/O cards must conformally coated to IPC-CC-830B.

CliniWater provides a five-day training and commissioning program covering: operation of the SBR/ MBR, sodium hypochlorite dosing pump calibration, ozone generator startup/shutdown, and interpretation of all online monitor readings. The facility team is trained to perform a daily jar test on mixed liquor to assess settleability and a weekly total coliform test on the final effluent. The Sludge Treatment System’s dewatered cake output is classified per local hazardous waste regulations; CliniWater prepares a waste profile sheet and coordinates with a licensed hauler for quarterly removal. Residuals from the ozone off-gas destruct catalyst and COD analyzer reagent are managed under the same contract. An emergency response plan details procedures for a chlorine gas leak, ozone exposure, and MBR membrane breach.

Technical Note: The dewatered sludge cake must be analyzed for heavy metals (as normally present in hospital waste) annually. If any metal exceeds the local agricultural land application limit, the sludge must be redirected to a secure landfill or incineration route, and the manifest updated accordingly.