Earlier this year, the Clean Water Institute of Lycoming College received a $5,000 grant from the IMC/Keystone Innovation Zone Center for Business and Workforce Development to work with Cromaglass Corporation of Williamsport, which manufactures a variety of wastewater treatment systems. The institute, which is headed by Dr. Mel Zimmerman, a professor of biology at the College, is helping Cromaglass test the effectiveness of a new process designed to improve nitrogen and sediment removal from wastewater. The grant is being used to fund supplies as well as student interns to work on the project.

The sequence batch reactor process, utilized by the Cromaglass Wastewater Treatment Systems, consists of four main steps: filling, aeration, transfer and discharge. The systems are designed to be used as a replacement at-home or small business septic system.

Amanda Lane, a Lycoming senior and CWI intern, has devoted the last six months to collecting and testing samples

of untreated and treated wastewater. Once a week, Lane travels to the Williamsport Sanitary Authority Central Plant where a Cromaglass CA-5 unit has been placed to treat 500 gallons of wastewater from the city per day. Upon her return to her lab at the College, she conducts tests to analyze the treatment efficiency for removal of orthophosphate, total phosphorus, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, total suspended solids, mixed liquor suspended solids,  biological oxygen demand and total kjeldahl nitrogen.

“Overall, they’re retrofitting their system with a new biofilm to become more efficient and keeping the environment

Amanda Lane collecting samples

clean,” Lane said. “I’m surprised such a small system can be so efficient.”

Lane hopes to further her studies and has proposed a monitoring project at nearby Montour Environmental Preserve, which provides wetlands, and recreational and educational opportunities. It is also host to the 165-acre Lake Chillisquaque, which was developed to provide a backup reservoir of cooling water for the nearby coal-fired power plant. An additional process the preserve uses to aid in wastewater treatment is that once the effluent is taken from the Cromaglass unit, it is then run through on-site constructed wetlands, allowing plants to absorb nutrients. The assistance of the wetlands means the water is much cleaner by the time it reaches a flowing body of water.

The Clean Water Institute of Lycoming College was founded in 1999 to be a resource on water issues and a partner of local watershed groups dedicated to the education and protection of the water quality of the West Branch of the Susquehanna watershed.

The Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) is a program designed for the encouragement of innovative thinking, creativity and technology transfer through strong local partnerships and resources. KIZ works with both Lycoming College and Pennsylvania College of Technology to link area businesses with qualified interns and can assist companies with the funds necessary to support a student intern.

Release updated 7-29-08.

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