Town of Berlin, Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, Spray Irrigation

About

GTA performed a multi-phase soils and hydrogeologic characterization program to evaluate site suitability for the spray irrigation of up to 1 MGD of treated wastewater. The evaluated site consisted of an approximately 200 +/- acre tract.  GTA coordinated operations with the Town, the design engineer and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) reviewing agency.  GTA performed soil mapping, detailed soil profiles and double ring infiltrometer testing for the initial soil suitability evaluation phase.  Ten monitoring wells were installed along with pumping and observation wells for use in aquifer testing and aquifer parameter estimation.  GTA performed soil chemistry analyses and hydraulic loading/cover crop nitrogen uptake calculations for evaluation of potential wastewater application rates.  Groundwater quality analyses were performed to establish background water quality, and numerical groundwater flow modeling was performed to evaluate groundwater mounding potential. GTA facilitated issuance of a groundwater discharge permit from the MDE for the Town; the system is in operation.