In central Florida, our fresh water primarily comes from the Florida aquifer, a series of underground limestone formations that act as a filter and a reservoir for fresh water. Rainfall seeps through layers of earth and limestone and collects in
underground limestone caves reaching as deep as 2,000 ft below the surface. The fresh water we use and depend on every day is drawn from the Florida aquifer and piped into our homes. We use
fresh water in sinks, toilets, showers, dishwashers, washing machines, and more. But once used, the water contains various contaminants such as cleansers, food scraps, and biological waste. It is then considered waste water. So, what do
we do with waste water, and where does it go? It's true that all water does eventually return to the environment. However, waste water has to go through a water reclamation process first. In the city of Orlando, reclaimed water is sent for
beneficial reuse such as irrigation, but is also safely returned to local waterways, namely the Little Econy River and the Orlando wetlands. So, why exactly does wastewater need to go through a water reclamation process?
Well, imagine if wastewater was dumped directly into a river. What would happen to the environment and the wildlife and what would be the long-term implications? As recently as the 19th century, wastewater was disposed into rivers. It
led to numerous deadly chalera outbreaks because it contaminated people's drinking water sources. As a result, methods for treating waste water were developed and that saved many lives. But it wasn't until the mid late to 20th
century that we realized the negative impact that even treated wastewater had on the environment. Treated waste water being discharged into rivers and other bodies of water were causing algae blooms and fish kills
because of excess nutrients that are still present in treated wastewater. Recognizing the crisis, in 1972, the US Congress passed the Clean Water Act to control environmental pollution by requiring rigorous standards for
wastewater treatment and discharge. This has greatly improved the health of our waterways. So, how do we treat wastewater here in Orlando? The journey of wastewater starts in our drains. The city of Orlando's water reclamation division has over 270 dedicated
employees that work hard to collect, treat, and distribute for reuse the waste water you, our residents and businesses produce every day. On an average day, the city collects, treats, and beneficially reuses about 47 million
gallons of waste water each day. The city's water reclamation system includes about 900 m of gravity lines, 230 m of force mains, 233 lift stations, three water reclamation facilities, two
reclaimed water distribution systems, and the Orlando easterly wetlands. The city's water reclamation facilities or treatment plants include Conserve 1 located just south of the Orlando International Airport. Conserve 2
located on LB Mloud Road just east of Kirkman Road and Ironbridge located north of the University of Central Florida off Alfa Trail. Ironbridge, the largest of our three facilities, is a regional facility which serves not only
the city of Orlando, but also receives and treats wastewater from Semino and Orange counties, as well as the cities of Winter Park, Matland, and Castlebury. Currently, the rated capacities for these three facilities are 7.5 million
gallons a day for conserve 1, 25 million gallons a day for conserve 2, and 40 million gallons a day for the iron bridge facility. The focus of this video is to explain in some detail about how wastewater collection and treatment
processes work specifically for the Iron Bridge facility and shows that the story begins with you, the producers of the wastewater. Wastewater flows out of homes through underground pipes and connect to larger
sanitary sewer pipes. Every day, the average household creates about 150 gallons of waste water. Gravity moves waste water down angled sanitary sewer pipes. However, the pipes can only go so deep underground.
Periodically, waste water has to be mechanically lifted higher by a lift station pump so the gravity can again transmit the water down the pipes. Things like grease and rags can clog the lift stations, cause malfunctions, and even overflows. It's important not to
flush oil, grease, rags, flushable wipes, and other similar items into the sanitary sewers. It can have costly and hazardous effects. There are miles and miles of sanitary sewer pipes carrying waste water from
East Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Castleberry, and portions of unincorporated Orange and Semino counties to the Iron Bridge Regional Water Reclamation Facility, which is located in Ovido just northwest of the University of Central Florida.
Around 22 million gallons per day flow from homes and businesses. That's enough water to fill over 33 Olympic size swimming pools. The waste water or raw influent arrives at the Iron Bridge master pump station.
Powerful mechanical pumps lift the water high so that gravity can then move the water through the facility. The pre-treatment phase physically removes objects in the water that would otherwise block and clog pipes and equipment.
Rotating bar screens catch items such as toys, rags, cell phones, diapers, and even false teeth. These items are hauled off for disposal. The water then flows to grit removal tanks where the water is stirred,
creating a vortex that settles out fine grit like sand, coffee grounds, and eggshells. The water moves on to secondary treatment where biological processes remove microscopic nutrients, namely
phosphorus and nitrogen. This is especially important because an abundance of these nutrients are what can lead to environmental problems down the line. Ironbridge Regional Water Reclamation Facility uses a modified five-stage bardenfo system. In the
process, water moves through anorobic, anoxic, and aerobic environments where microorganisms digest and convert the nitrogen and phosphorus into harmless forms. In the secondary clarifier, the
flow of water slows down so that heavier biological material can sink to the bottom. Some of this material called activated sludge is returned back into the bardo system to maintain a healthy population of microorganisms. The remainder of sludge is hauled off
for disposal. Lighter materials such as grease and oil float to the surface where rotating skimmers collect and remove the scum. The sludge and scum removed from the secondary clarifiers is then sent to conditioning bays with waste activated sludge solids are
dewatered and hauled off for further treatment. A third party company processes and converts the solids into a high quality commercial fertilizer. The remaining water flows into deep bed filters consisting of 7 ft of sand and
stone media that remove any remaining fine particles from the water. At this point, the water is clear and ready or the final stage of disinfection. The water moves into chlorine contact chambers where chlorine is added to destroy harmful pathogens. A
higher concentration of chlorine is used for water that will be diverted for public reuse. Throughout the treatment process, the system is closely monitored and the water meticulously tested in the award-winning environmental laboratory at Ironbridge.
They analyze things such as suspended solids, oxygen demand, ammonia, nitrogen, cifform bacteria, and metal analysis of bioolids. The lab provides analysis of the facility's performance, which is
necessary for the facility's permit compliance. A computerized network called SCADA monitors and controls equipment and processes throughout the facility. Sensors measuring things such as flow rate, temperature, and more,
automate equipment operations. Real-time data is also transmitted to computers and tablets where operators can make informed decisions and control operations remotely. Once the water is treated with chlorine and the treatment process is complete and the final
product is called reclaimed water, it's now ready for discharge in three different ways. public reuse into the little econ or for further treatment at the Orlando wetlands. Reclaimed water sent for public reuse is
pumped through telltale purple pipes in various communities in Orange and Semino counties. Reclaimed water can be used for irrigating lawns and washing cars and the like. Although not toxic, it is not portable, meaning it is not safe
enough to drink. Reclaimed water is also safely discharged into the nearby little econ. Before being discharged, the residual chlorine is removed through the addition of sulfur dioxide. However, environmental regulations limit how much
reclaimed water can safely be discharged into the little econ. And with an increase in the volume of wastewater due to population growth, the city of Orlando created an innovative solution for discharging the increased
amounts of reclaimed water. In 1987, the city of Orlando built the Orlando wetlands to further treat and discharge reclaimed water from the Iron Bridge Regional Water Reclamation Facility. While the reclaimed water already meets advanced wastewater treatment standards,
the Orlando Wetlands works to even further reduce nitrogen and phosphorus levels so that the water can be safely discharged into the St. John's River. The Orlando Wetlands uses wetland plants and other naturally occurring biological processes to lower nutrient levels of
the water. The wetlands support a diversity of flora and fauna, and this has attracted numerous visitors. The Orlando Wetlands is open to the public for passive recreation on Tuesdays through Sundays from sunrise to sunset. The facility is closed on Mondays.
Protecting our water is important, protecting our environment is important, and ensuring public safety is important. The city of Orlando has struck a balance between caring for all of these things through innovative, effective, and efficient methods for reclaiming
millions of gallons of waste water every day. So now, what can you do to protect our water resources and environment? Throw away or recycle cooking oil and grease. Otherwise, grease can clog up pipes and cause sewer overflows. Be
mindful of what can be flushed down the drain and throw away rags, wipes, and the like. These two can clog pipes and lift stations, even if they're labeled flushable. Use fresh water wisely and irrigate with reclaimed water if
available. Reduce the use of cleansers and soaps to only use as much as you need. And don't flush unused medications or other substances. These make treatment more difficult and may remain in the water even after treatment. And tell your friends and neighbors about
what you have learned in this video. We're proud of how the city of Orlando and its awardwinning Ironbridge Regional Water Reclamation Facility and the Orlando Wetlands has created a winning solution for handling increased amounts of wastewater while protecting our local
waterways and even creating valuable wetlands habitat and recreation for the public. For more information about the city of Orlando's water reclamation division, visit our website at orlando.gov/water. GV/waterreclamation.
Thanks for watching. [Music]