CASE STUDY: Sycamore Standardizes On Headworks® Inc. After Plant Submerged in Flood
 In 1997, Sycamore Wastewater Treatment Plant located in Cincinnati, Ohio, was in search of new headworks equipment. The City of Cincinnati Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) operated climber type screens in the past that required high maintenance and often created problems with flooding. That year, Mr. Pat Hanlon of SAMCO, had the opportunity to learn about Headworks® equipment at the Water Environment Federation Technical Conference and became the company’s representative in that region. He then informed the City of Cincinnati MSD of the unique automatic jam protection of the robust, all stainless steel Headworks® screens.
Shortly after speaking with Pat and his late partner, Mr. Ken Matthews, Cincinnati City officials left for a fact finding mission to see the City of Houston’s Beltway plant. Based on the success of the Headworks® Mahr® Bar Screen installed in 1996 at the Beltway Plant and their eyewitness assessment, MSD decided to offer Headworks® an opportunity to treat incoming flow at their Sycamore Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Sycamore WWTP is located in an existing older building, and the low profile and easy maneuverability of the Headworks® equipment made for a simple installment. According to Mr. Dan Grimwood, project engineer with Ameritcon, general contractor on the project, “this was probably one of the easiest installations we have ever done.”
Since 1999, the Sycamore WWTP in Cincinnati, Ohio has been operating 2 Headworks® Mahr® Bar Screens, each rated for 38 MGD. The screens’ overall lengths are 18 feet with 3/8 inch bar spacing and a low profile of less than 8 feet of headspace. The Headworks® Mahr® Bar Screens were placed in a 4 ft channel width by a 9.25 ft channel depth for a 6.5 feet water depth. They are pull-out type screens and required no grouting or recess work during their installation.
 By installing the Headworks® Mahr® Bar Screens, MSD solved several significant problems. First, the screens eliminated problems with the primary sludge lines blocking up, a common problem in the past that was completed resolved by the installation of the Headworks® Mahr® Bar Screens. Additionally, the plant no longer experiences bypasses due to the efficient operation of the screens under extreme conditions. And finally, the screens survived the ultimate test nature can throw at them. During the storms of 4 years ago, the whole plant was flooded beneath 7 feet of water. The Headworks® Mahr® Bar Screens were one of the few pieces of equipment that when the operators at Sycamore hit the button, the screens worked.
From that order on, Headworks® has become the standard for the City, including installations at Muddy Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and Mill Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. The City has some of the largest wastewater screens in the USA. Currently, the City of Cincinnati is expanding its Sycamore plant and has ordered 2 more Headworks® Mahr® Bar Screens and a Transpactor based on the City’s positive experiences over the years with equipment that could meet whatever challenges the Cincinnati waste water collection systems could dish out. With only nominal maintenance and never a single part for replacement purchased, Headworks® Mahr® Bar Screen is the logical choice.
Headworks Inc. is the undisputed market leader in screening solutions, for more information, please log on to www.headworksusa.com. |
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