As part of the 2011 WWAC Symposium, the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) organized a tour of their Bissell Point Water Treatment Plant.  Special thanks to Mr. Jeff Theerman, Executive Director of the MSD, for making the tour possible for us.  Treatment Plant Supervisor Mike Townely acted as our tour guide and consummate host during the late-afternoon tour.  The Bissell Point Water Treatment Plant is one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the MSD.  The MSD’s network of sewers and treatment plants is considered by many to be the fourth largest sewer district in the United States.

Mike Townley, plant supervisor, giving the WWAC 2011 plant tour at the Bissell Point Wastewater Treatment Plant

Mike provided us with the following summary of the plant, “The plant started operation in 1970 as a Primary only treatment plant.  In 1993 the plant was expanded to Secondary Treatment. Construction is beginning next year to add Disinfection to the treatment process.  Average daily flow is 150 MGD with a peak wet weather flow of 350 MGD.  We use incineration to handle our solids.  There are 6 multiple hearth incinerators.  The plant site is 100 acres in size.”

Photo of tour attendees from WWAC 2011 symposium