Wastewater Treatment and the Environment
KUB's wastewater treatment process ensures that the approximately 40 million gallons of water returned to the Tennessee River each day are cleaner and safer than when that water entered the collection system. Through multiple settling, separation, and disinfection processes, KUB assures the health of the communities it serves and the quality of the river system, ensuring the protection and preservation of East Tennessee's natural water supply for domestic, commercial, and recreational use.
Read about two of KUB's environmental programs related to wastewater treatment below.
Wastewater Environmental Programs
Biosolids Beneficial Reuse Program
Biosolids are a nutrient-rich product of KUB's wastewater treatment process. KUB’s wastewater treatment plant separates solid materials from liquid waste and sends the solids to digesters where the material is heated and mixed with helpful bacteria to destroy harmful pathogens and reduce odor.
KUB has beneficially reused its biosolids for over 30 years. All of the product is applied to farms in Knox and surrounding counties as a soil amendment. Most agricultural land treated with biosolids is pastureland, and all farms interested in receiving our biosolids must meet federal buffer requirements to ensure the biosolids do not enter the area streams.
River Monitoring Program
Since 2001, KUB has conducted a monthly River Monitoring Program to determine the impact of wastewater treatment plants' activities on the water quality of Fort Loudoun Lake.
This routine monitoring has shown that KUB's treatment plants have little effect on the lake and the Tennessee River. Results from both the field and KUB's state-certified water quality lab support this conclusion. Essentially, upstream and downstream samples are yielding the same results in their tests.
For more information on Knoxville water quality, visit the Knoxville Water Quality Forum website. Click here to learn more about how KUB protects natural water sources during the water treatment process.
