Developing a Hurricane Resistant Package Wastewater Treatment Plant for Decentralized Applications in the Gulf Coast
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 12:45 PM to 2:15 PM · 1 hr. 30 min. (US/Central)
New Orleans Convention Center
Technology Spotlight
Hall H Booth 7249
Information
A variety of trends across the country, ranging from a move away from septic tanks for individual homes and increased economic development outside of areas with sewage
collection systems, have resulted in a shift towards decentralized wastewater treatment over the past few decades. Some typical examples where a decentralized treatment
system may be appropriate include housing developments, RV parks, resorts, highway rest stops, and campgrounds. In Florida, and other locations along the Gulf Coast, many of these developments are in areas subject to a combination of hurricane forces winds and storm surge. Thus, investment in these treatment systems can be at risk and environmental harm can occur if they are damaged or destroyed. Innovatreat produces highly efficient membrane bioreactor systems for flows ranging from 5,000 to 500,000 gpd. For systems which treat up to 100,000 gpd, these can be provided with a configuration and design that provides protection from hurricanes, based on three
key features. The most straight forward element is to locate some of the assets subsurface and with designs to withstand inundation. A typical subsurface configuration would include a trash- trap tank with a self-cleaning primary screen, which overflows by gravity into a subsurface EQ tank. Bioreactors and the sludge tank would also be subsurface. All these tanks would be covered and include marine hatches. Electrical and piping connections, including tank vents, are designed for easy disconnection and capping. The above ground equipment, including pumps, blowers, controls, membrane separation skids and other systems representing the vast majority of the investment are contained within an above ground foam-core, FRP package plant structure that can be rated for winds speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. In addition, these FRP structures are resistant to corrosion, even in saltwater environments and can be outfitted with water resistant doors and hatches.
If severity of an incoming storm necessitates relocation of the packable plant, it is designed for quick disconnect from the connections to the underground tankage and power supply. It can then be lifted from its concrete pad, placed on a flatbed truck, and driven inland to higher ground and returned when the storm subsides.
An example of a system being installed on the Texas Gulf Coast as well as the procedures to follow in advance of and after a storm event will be reviewed.
collection systems, have resulted in a shift towards decentralized wastewater treatment over the past few decades. Some typical examples where a decentralized treatment
system may be appropriate include housing developments, RV parks, resorts, highway rest stops, and campgrounds. In Florida, and other locations along the Gulf Coast, many of these developments are in areas subject to a combination of hurricane forces winds and storm surge. Thus, investment in these treatment systems can be at risk and environmental harm can occur if they are damaged or destroyed. Innovatreat produces highly efficient membrane bioreactor systems for flows ranging from 5,000 to 500,000 gpd. For systems which treat up to 100,000 gpd, these can be provided with a configuration and design that provides protection from hurricanes, based on three
key features. The most straight forward element is to locate some of the assets subsurface and with designs to withstand inundation. A typical subsurface configuration would include a trash- trap tank with a self-cleaning primary screen, which overflows by gravity into a subsurface EQ tank. Bioreactors and the sludge tank would also be subsurface. All these tanks would be covered and include marine hatches. Electrical and piping connections, including tank vents, are designed for easy disconnection and capping. The above ground equipment, including pumps, blowers, controls, membrane separation skids and other systems representing the vast majority of the investment are contained within an above ground foam-core, FRP package plant structure that can be rated for winds speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. In addition, these FRP structures are resistant to corrosion, even in saltwater environments and can be outfitted with water resistant doors and hatches.
If severity of an incoming storm necessitates relocation of the packable plant, it is designed for quick disconnect from the connections to the underground tankage and power supply. It can then be lifted from its concrete pad, placed on a flatbed truck, and driven inland to higher ground and returned when the storm subsides.
An example of a system being installed on the Texas Gulf Coast as well as the procedures to follow in advance of and after a storm event will be reviewed.