Rocky Point, NY

CHALLENGE

The original wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) at Rocky Point was designed for an average flow of 0.030 MGD. The system utilized an extended aeration process with coarse bubble diffusers, but no tertiary treatment. While aging, the system was still able to meet discharge permits requiring ≤30 mg/L for both Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD).

With permit renewal on the horizon, ownership anticipated stricter effluent limits, particularly for Total Nitrogen (TN). Without upgrades, the plant risked losing its discharge permit, which would have left the condominium without the ability to treat wastewater.

More municipalities are tightening wastewater effluent limits to protect water quality, safeguard aquatic ecosystems, and protect public health. These stricter standards also ensure regulatory compliance while promoting sustainable, future-proof water management.

The condominium complex needed:

• A treatment system capable of meeting new effluent limits (≤10 mg/L TN)
• A design that was cost-effective and fit within the existing infrastructure, avoiding the need for a new build
• Equipment that is reliable and operator-friendly, minimizing maintenance and downtime

The community urgently needed a reliable, low-maintenance treatment system that could meet tightening nutrient limits—without the time or budget for a full rebuild.

SOLUTION

To meet the needs of the condominium complex, ownership enlisted PW Grosser, a local environmental engineering and consulting firm, with Chief Engineer Gerry Rosen, PE, leading the design. Drawing on over 30 years of wastewater expertise, Rosen partnered with Newterra, trusting their proven Argos Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) system and Triton aeration technology to deliver a practical, reliable, and budget-conscious solution.

The final design included:

• Dual-basin Argos SBR configuration
  – Two (2) independent batch-processing basins 
  – Each equipped with a 7.5 HP Aire-O2 Triton Process Aerator/Mixer
  – Tritons provide both aeration and mixing in one unit, eliminating the need for separate submersible mixers
• Floating, guiderail-mounted aerators
  – Units automatically adjust with fluctuating basin water levels
• Side-mounted decanters for easier access compared to center-mounted alternatives
• Instrumentation & controls including DO probes, pressure transducers, level sensors, and an automated control package
• Additional aeration equipment for the equalization (EQ) tank upstream of the SBR

The final design featured a dual-basin Argos SBR system with Aire-O2 Triton Process Aerator/Mixers for combined aeration and mixing, floating guiderail-mounted aerators that adjust to changing water levels, side-mounted decanters for easy access, comprehensive instrumentation and automated controls, and additional aeration for the upstream equalization tank.

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“It’s been great! The system has been performing as intended, and without any issues or downtime.”

Pat Andare, Service Manager at Mid Island Environmental

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(left) The Rocky Point the treatment building and (right) dual-basin system which includes 7.5HP Triton Process Aerators on Guide Rails, Decanters and Controls

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RESULTS

The Rocky Point project demonstrates how Newterra’s unique Triton-enabled SBR, which employs Surface-Mounted Process Aeration as opposed to older aeration methods like diffused-air, can offer both superior performance, greater flexibility, with less cost upfront and significantly lower operating burdens over the long term.

Effluent Quality:

• Suffolk County Dept. of Health requires ≤10 mg/L TN for discharge
• Post-upgrade, average effluent TN is ~5 mg/L, comfortably within permit

Phosphorus:

• Effluent meets EPA limit of ≤1.0 mg/L

Reliability:

• No downtime or performance issues since installation

(above) Measured Total Nitrogen (TN) is consistently under the limit of 10mg/L

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Maintenance & Operator Feedback

• Daily visual inspection of aerators and decanters, all accessible from the surface
• No need for confined space entry or underwater maintenance

With this system, operators can easily inspect aerators and decanters from the surface, cutting maintenance time and risk.

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Pat also highlighted the benefit of the side-mounted decanter:

“Some systems have decanters in the middle of the basin which are extremely difficult to access. With this setup, everything is right on the side — it makes life a lot easier.”

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By upgrading to Newterra’s Argos® SBR with Aire-O2 Triton® Process Aerator/Mixers, the Rocky Point Condominium Complex secured:

• A cost-effective upgrade within existing infrastructure
• A future-proofed system capable of meeting stricter nutrient removal permits
• Ease of operation and maintenance with surface-accessible equipment
• A highly reliable system with consistent compliance and no downtime

The Rocky Point case demonstrates how thoughtful engineering, proven technology, and collaborative design can deliver a sustainable wastewater treatment solution for private developments. Upgrading is often the smarter first step, especially when existing infrastructure is sound and adaptable. With modern, modular technologies like Newterra’s Argos SBR or Triton aeration systems, many facilities achieve modern performance standards without the high cost and disruption of a complete rebuild.