Warrendale, Pa., October 24, 2006 -- Albany, Ore., will expand and modernize its wastewater treatment plant using Siemens technologies. As part of the upgrade, the plant, designed by CH2M of Corvallis, OR, will incorporate an integrated biological process that combines the Cannibal® biosolids reduction process with a VLR® (vertical loop reactor) system and Tow-Bro® clarifier for high-quality effluent and minimum sludge production.

This advanced technology system from Water Technologies, a division of the Siemens Group Industrial solutions and Services (I&S) will also help the Albany plant produce clean water at the lowest possible energy and solids disposal cost. The plant will expand its capacity from 20 mgd to 68 mgd during wet weather flows.

The combination of the VLR system with a Tow-Bro clarifier produces high-quality treated wastewater for advanced biological treatment and enhanced nutrient removal applications. The aerated-anoxic technology and rapid hydraulic sludge removal results in a 30% reduction in power usage over other conventional treatment applications. The cycled environment in the system creates an optimal situation in which to apply the Cannibal process.

The Cannibal process, through an advanced interchange process, systematically breaks down and reduces biosolids that are normally wasted from the system. This not only decreases the cost of routine biosolids processing and disposal, but it also reduces the capital costs associated with the construction of solids-handling facilities.

Other cost savings include a rectangular common wall construction to reduce construction cost, modular construction to provide expandability for future applications, and upgrading ease to meet the most restrictive enhanced nutrient removal limits.