Newterra “Keeps The Lights On” For The People of The Pacific Northwest

CHALLENGE

The utility services over 300,000 square miles of territory in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, western Montana and small parts of eastern Montana, California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, and operates and maintains approximately 260 substations and 15,300 miles of transmission lines. An electrical substation has the crucial function of transforming voltage levels, regulating and controlling the flow of electricity, and ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of electrical energy from power plants to end-users.

Capital improvement programs are strategic investments made by companies to ensure their continued growth, competitiveness, and operational effectiveness. They reflect a commitment to long-term success and sustainability. In this case, treating groundwater for containments from the various processes at the separate facilities was deemed essential to align with the company’s environmental initiatives.

SOLUTION

The utility installed Newterra Clara® 40C Plug-Flow Separators at two of its electrical substations in Washington and a regional maintenance facility in Oregon as a part of its capital improvement program. The Clara Plug-Flow Separator is an oil/water/grit separator specifically designed for stormwater applications. With its patent-pending four-chamber flow-through design, Clara effectively separates and retains oil and settable solids from stormwater runoff. As the water passes from one chamber to the next, pollutants are captured and held within those chambers. Clara includes an internal high flow bypass that allows storm events larger than the treatment design capacity to bypass without washing out accumulated oil and sludge.

The Clara Gravity Separator boasts a high treatment capacity, efficiently handling flow rates of up to 2700 gallons per minute (GPM). With a focus on reliable treatment, the system effectively traps pollutants within its structure, preventing washout. Additionally, it features a substantial oil storage capacity of up to 1500 gallons, ensuring efficient containment. For added flexibility in system configuration, an integrated pump package is optionally available for downstream treatment. Furthermore, the system provides ample sediment storage capacity, accommodating up to 10 cubic yards (CY) of sediment for comprehensive stormwater management.