Utilities
Wastewater (Sewer)
Wastewater Treatment Facility: Chris Thompson, 533-8885, M - F, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
For information on sewer billing, please see the FAQ page. The Village ordinance regarding sewers can be found in the Village Code, Chapter 91 - Sewer Use. See Resolution No. 21 of 2020 for details on current fees for water and sewer.
The Bellaire wastewater treatment facility is a system composed of 6 operations. Each operation has a crucial function in converting the municipal wastewater to liquids suitable for wetlands application or to bio-solids suitable for injection into agricultural farmland.
1. Flow-Metering: Electromagnetic flow meters measure flows at three different stages of the operation: (a) Influent, from the collection system, (b) secondary effluent, from the ponds to the treatment plant, and (c) final effluent, from the plant to the wetlands. All flow data is recorded in the office.
2. Aerated Lagoons: There are three lagoons. The first two are divided in half to make the detention time as long as possible. These lagoons are aerated to serve as reactors for physical and biological treatment of the wastewater. The dissolved oxygen content of the wastewater rises upon contact with the air bubbles from the aerator. This helps microorganisms to assimilate the wastewater nutrients, converting them to biomass, which settles to the bottom of the lagoons.
3. Chemical feed system: Wastewater from the far end of the third lagoon is pumped to the treatment building for additional treatment. A coagulant (alum) is added for phosphorus removal. The alum is added ahead of an inline static mixer prior to interning the clarifiers. Polymer is added to the flow to improve floc (sludge) agglomeration, This creates large, heavy particles, which settle easily.
4. Clarifiers: Two 16 ft. diameter by 12 ft. high clarifiers with influent flow control valves are housed in the treatment building. The clarifiers are designed to process the average daily flow, settling the chemical floc formed by chemical addition. Floc is collected at the bottom of the clarifiers, which is scraped and collected in the sump in the center of the clarifier. This sludge is then pumped back to the influent line going to the lagoons.
5. Effluent Discharge: Overflow from the clarifier receives additional treatment in a gravity sand filter. This filter system utilizes a modified rapid sand filtration process. The system incorporates automatic backwashing and an operation for periodical removal of grease and oil deposits.
6. Irrigation System: The clarified and filtered treatment effluent is pumped from a clearwell in the filter to a wetlands area for disposal. The irrigation area consists of 100 acres of wetlands, which is divided into four 25-acre areas, which enables alternating use of the areas. The treated wastewater is discharged from a system of above-ground piping into areas blanketed with geotextile fabric to minimize soil erosion and channeling.
For information on sewer billing, please see the FAQ page. The Village ordinance regarding sewers can be found in the Village Code, Chapter 91 - Sewer Use. See Resolution No. 21 of 2020 for details on current fees for water and sewer.
The Bellaire wastewater treatment facility is a system composed of 6 operations. Each operation has a crucial function in converting the municipal wastewater to liquids suitable for wetlands application or to bio-solids suitable for injection into agricultural farmland.
1. Flow-Metering: Electromagnetic flow meters measure flows at three different stages of the operation: (a) Influent, from the collection system, (b) secondary effluent, from the ponds to the treatment plant, and (c) final effluent, from the plant to the wetlands. All flow data is recorded in the office.
2. Aerated Lagoons: There are three lagoons. The first two are divided in half to make the detention time as long as possible. These lagoons are aerated to serve as reactors for physical and biological treatment of the wastewater. The dissolved oxygen content of the wastewater rises upon contact with the air bubbles from the aerator. This helps microorganisms to assimilate the wastewater nutrients, converting them to biomass, which settles to the bottom of the lagoons.
3. Chemical feed system: Wastewater from the far end of the third lagoon is pumped to the treatment building for additional treatment. A coagulant (alum) is added for phosphorus removal. The alum is added ahead of an inline static mixer prior to interning the clarifiers. Polymer is added to the flow to improve floc (sludge) agglomeration, This creates large, heavy particles, which settle easily.
4. Clarifiers: Two 16 ft. diameter by 12 ft. high clarifiers with influent flow control valves are housed in the treatment building. The clarifiers are designed to process the average daily flow, settling the chemical floc formed by chemical addition. Floc is collected at the bottom of the clarifiers, which is scraped and collected in the sump in the center of the clarifier. This sludge is then pumped back to the influent line going to the lagoons.
5. Effluent Discharge: Overflow from the clarifier receives additional treatment in a gravity sand filter. This filter system utilizes a modified rapid sand filtration process. The system incorporates automatic backwashing and an operation for periodical removal of grease and oil deposits.
6. Irrigation System: The clarified and filtered treatment effluent is pumped from a clearwell in the filter to a wetlands area for disposal. The irrigation area consists of 100 acres of wetlands, which is divided into four 25-acre areas, which enables alternating use of the areas. The treated wastewater is discharged from a system of above-ground piping into areas blanketed with geotextile fabric to minimize soil erosion and channeling.
Water
For information on water billing, please see the DPW's FAQ page. Bellaire's 2021 Water Quality Report.
For the ordinance regarding the village waterworks, please see the Village Code, Chapter 123 - Water. See Resolution No. 21 of 2020 for details on current fees for water and sewer.
Other ordinances in the Village Code dealing with water are Chapter 124 - Cross Connection, and Chapter 127 - Water Wells, Private.
Click here for information about the Village's Wellhead Protection Plan.
For the ordinance regarding the village waterworks, please see the Village Code, Chapter 123 - Water. See Resolution No. 21 of 2020 for details on current fees for water and sewer.
Other ordinances in the Village Code dealing with water are Chapter 124 - Cross Connection, and Chapter 127 - Water Wells, Private.
Click here for information about the Village's Wellhead Protection Plan.
Wellhead Protection
A Wellhead Protection Plan minimizes the potential for contamination by identifying and protecting the area that contributes water to municipal water supply wells and avoids costly groundwater clean-ups.
The village's plan also includes a list of critical users for whom the provision of a continuous supply of safe water is most urgent, details methods of communication that would be available during power outages, and lists local media outlets to notify in case of emergency.
The wellhead protection plan is updated every five years and is scheduled to be reviewed in 2012.
For a complete copy of the village's current Wellhead Protection Plan, contact either the village offices (533-8213, village email) or the DPW (533-6414, DPW email).
The village's plan also includes a list of critical users for whom the provision of a continuous supply of safe water is most urgent, details methods of communication that would be available during power outages, and lists local media outlets to notify in case of emergency.
The wellhead protection plan is updated every five years and is scheduled to be reviewed in 2012.
For a complete copy of the village's current Wellhead Protection Plan, contact either the village offices (533-8213, village email) or the DPW (533-6414, DPW email).
Although the Village of Bellaire website is frequently updated, it may not be the most current information available. Information contained within this site is intended for reference only and should be verified by contacting the village offices. This webpage last updated on June 24, 2022.