The NYC DEP Feasibility study that takes a look at the current nitrogen removal efforts, where the four waste treatment plants are now in terms of Nitrogen loading reductions and future technologies that have been studied for possible implementation at these plants.

1. Jamaica Bay Feasibility Study
November 13, 2019

2. Overview
• Nitrogen Removal At Our Wastewater Resource Recovery Facilities
• Shortlisted Technologies for Further Evaluation
• Treatment Optimization Opportunities
• A Focus on Ecological Health of the Bay
2

3. Purpose
Jamaica Bay Feasibility Study required pursuant to First Amended Nitrogen Consent
Judgment with NYSDEC
Purpose:
• Evaluate the latest nitrogen-removal technologies, and optimization techniques for
existing infrastructure to identify potential measures to reduce nitrogen discharges
from Jamaica Bay Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and improve DO water
quality.
• The City will be able to use results of Feasibility Study to assist in determining which
technologies, if any, may be appropriate for further upgrades or to support other
regulatory decisions.

4. Timeline
Relevant Dates
June 2011 Effective date for First Amended Nitrogen Consent
Judgment.
July 31, 2016 Jamaica Bay Phase I post-construction monitoring
commenced following completion of BNR upgrades to JA
and 26W WRRFs.
July 31, 2017 Jamaica Bay Feasibility Study commenced - 12-months
after the start of Phase I post-construction monitoring.
July 31, 2019 Draft of the Jamaica Bay Feasibility Study made available
for public comment – 75 day comment period through
October 15, 2019.
January 31, 2020 Final study is to be released to the public; six-months
after draft available.

5. Jamaica Bay WRRFs - Total Nitrogen
5

6. • Level 3 BNR with Chemical Addition achieved on average 77% TN
removal compared to 28% TN removal from Pre-BNR Operation
26W Nitrogen Removal Performance
6

7. • Level 2 BNR with Chemical Addition achieved on average 75% TN
removal compared to 40% TN removal from Pre-BNR Operation
JA Nitrogen Removal Performance
7

8. • Currently removes on average of 42% of the influent TN load
• Level 1 BNR – Projected Completion Fall 2022
Coney Island WRRF – Recent Performance
8

9. • Currently remove on average of 40% of the influent TN load
• Level 1 BNR – Projected Completion Summer 2020
Rockaway WRRF – Recent Performance
9

10. Innovative Technology Evaluations
Focus on Options for
Jamaica WRRF and
26th Ward WRRF
10

11. Shortlisted Technologies for Further Evaluation
Concepts Applicable to 26th Ward WRRF
• Simultaneous Nitrification/Denitrification with Dynamic Aeration
Control and Add-On Denitrification Process
• Level 2/3/4 BNR and Add-On Denitrification Process
Concepts Applicable to Jamaica WRRF
• Simultaneous Nitrification/Denitrification with Dynamic Aeration
Control and Add-On Denitrification Process
• Level 2/3/4 BNR with Add-On Denitrification Process
Concepts Applicable to Coney Island and Rockaway WRRFs
• Simultaneous Nitrification/Denitrification with Dynamic Aeration
Control
• Level 3 BNR
11

12. Future Research Projects
• Focus on Adaptation of Processes to NYC Conditions and
Facilities
• Membrane Aerated Bioreactors (MABR)
• gas transfer membrane that delivers oxygen to a biofilm that is
attached to the surface of the membrane
• provides simultaneous nitrification and denitrification and requires
less aeration energy
• Simultaneous Nitrification/Denitrification (SND)
• allows both nitrification and denitrification to occur in the same
tank at low DO levels
• biochemical mechanisms of nitrogen removal are complex and not
completely understood, rendering operational control over an SND
system difficult
• Ammonia Based Aeration Control (ABAC)
• Reduced aeration energy, supplemental carbon consumption
12

13. Optimization Opportunities – Enhanced Process Control
• Intensive Contingency Sampling Program developed
• Instrumentation to provide plant staff with added control over the
BNR process
DO Probes
• DO control strategy allows for automated
control of process air based on specified DO
setpoints and inputs from DO probes
Nitrate Probes
• NO3 probe based strategy for glycerol dosing
13

14. Focus on the Ecological Health of the Bay
Category Projects
Ecological Technology • Algal Turf Scrubber Pilot
Ecosystem Restoration • Sea Lettuce Harvesting Pilot
• Eel Grass Study
• Oyster Bed Pilot
• Head of Bay Oyster Project
• Ribbed Mussel Pilot
Wetland Restoration • Paerdegat Basin Restoration
• Marsh Island Wave Attenuator Study
CSO Reduction • Historical CSO Abatement Projects
• Paerdegat CSO Retention Facility
• Bergen Basin Bending Weirs and Parallel Sewer to Jamaica
WWTP
• Environmental Benefit Projects (EBPs)
• Jamaica Bay Tributaries LTCP
• Green Infrastructure
14

15. Water Quality Monitoring Timeline
Jamaica Bay PCM Phase II will begin after upgrades are complete at Rockaway
WRRF and Coney Island WRRF for an additional three years of enhanced
monitoring.
15
Date
June 30, 2015 DEP submitted Work Plan for Jamaica Bay Post Construction
Monitoring (PCM)
(The Jamaica Bay PCM Work Plan was reviewed by a Technical Panel
comprised of Dr. Linda Allen, Anand Kumaraswamy, and Dr. John Marra)
July 31, 2016 Jamaica Bay PCM Phase I began (based on 26W Construction
Completion)
July 31, 2017 Jamaica Bay Feasibility Study was initiated
July 31, 2019 Jamaica Bay Feasibility Study was released for public review
January 31, 2020 Jamaica Bay Feasibility Study public release
October 31, 2020 Jamaica Bay PCM Phase I End

16. Water Quality in Jamaica Bay
16
Total Nitrogen

17. Water Quality in Jamaica Bay
17
Dissolved Oxygen

18. Water Quality in Jamaica Bay
18
Temperature

19. Thank You!
19

20. Jamaica Bay PCM Sampling Program
• Macroalgae and Marsh Grass Sampling
• Macroalgae
• Biomass
• Intertidal
• Subtidal
• Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus
Content
• Intertidal
• Subtidal
• Marsh Grass
• Biomass (Shoots and Roots)
• Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus
Content
• Biological Studies (Benthic Invertebrates)
• Densities
• Diversity
20
• Physical and Hydraulic
Characterization
• Bathymetry
• Tides
• Currents
• Ambient Water Quality Sampling
• Grab Sampling
• Continuous Sondes
• Primary Productivity
• Sediment Flux Measurements
• Sediment Fluxes
• Pore Water Data
• Solid Phase Data
• Benthic Studies
• Benthic Algae
• Sediment Composition

21. Jamaica Bay PCM Water Quality Stations
21

22. Jamaica Bay PCM Sediment Survey Stations
22

23. Jamaica Bay PCM Macroalgae Sampling Stations
23

24. Jamaica Bay PCM Marsh Grass Sampling Stations
24

25. Jamaica Bay PCM Benthic Invertebrate Survey Stations
25