User:Yadsalohcin/Helpe Mineure restoration project

Within five months after installation of the CLEAN-FLO system at Fourmies, the Helpe Mineure river went from Class 3 – 4, (Class 4 is “unusable for any purpose”) to Class 1 – 2 (Class 1 is “useable for every purpose”). Based on this success, the system has been proposed for helping with remediation of the River Wye.

Hypothesis for use on the Wye
The idea for use of such a system in the River Wye is based on the idea of helping the river improve its own capacity for nutrient processing. This would rely on a number of features: laminar flow inversion; aeration using micro-bubbles; and use of 'Biological Augmentation' techniques (including natural enzymes) to enhance reactions to improve the processing of phosphates.

Helpe Mineure Restoration project
Summary of restoration project by Clean-Flo/ SIS Bio in the 1990s.

1974: Syndicat D'Assainissement de Fourmies-Wignehies (Intermunicipal Sanitation Agency of Fourmies-Wignehies) was formed. Works were implemented which reflected the established approach to water quality management) including:
 * 1) Reduce direct discharges into the river,
 * 2) (Continue to) upgrade facilities to mitigate storm runoff,
 * 3) Extend the sewage system, and
 * 4) Improve the quality of treatment at the waste water treatment plant.

After these works were finished in 1990, water quality remained below normal. The Syndicat realised that oxygen levels were still too low after the river passed through Fourmies; the river's health remained poor for about 43km downstream, and associated fauna was classified as 7 on the pollution index, described as 'critical' biological water quality.

A 'CLEAN-FLO' system was installed at Fourmies; this diverted the river's flow into a retention pond where it was aerated before return to the main stem of the river. The general results after this were:


 * 1) fish and benthic organisms reappeared in both the river and the retention pond.
 * 2) oxygen saturation levels increased from 20 percent to 70-100 percent in the river during low flow, as the water leaves Fourmies.
 * 3) riparian residents agreed that after aeration, there was a change in odour from 'objectionable' during low flow to 'no odour'; the water is now much clearer downstream.
 * 4) COD, TKN and ammonia were reduced for the entire previously affected 43 km of the river.
 * 5) COD and ammonia levels improved from Class 3-4 to Class 1B. This water quality continued for the entire distance which had been classed as 'unusable' before the project began (43 km downstream), except during a temporary breakdown in the WWTP and partial shutdown of equipment.

In May 1993, the towns of Fourmies and Wignehies were awarded the "Prix de L'Environnement" and "L'Echarpe Bleue" for the improvements in the river. These are the two highest environmental awards in France.

Acknowledgements

 * (Unnamed) Supervisor for Fourmies et Environs (coordination of works),
 * Fernand Pacheux, Mayor of Fourmies and President of SIAFW,
 * Marcel Dehoux, Deputy Mayor of Wignehies.

Many other people were involved, including:
 * Claude Houyez, Engineer D.D.E. du Nord, (design of dam and retention pond)
 * Joel Legrand, D.D.E. du Nord, (design of dam and retention pond)
 * Virgil Muller, P.E., Muller Engineering
 * Lance Crombie, PhD., Microbiologist
 * C. Audouin, Director, Eau et Force
 * Jean-Pierre Demacon, Technician, Eau et Force
 * Michel de Barba, Enterprise de Barba
 * Martial Grandmoujin, Asst. Director, Agence de l'Eau ArtoisPicardie
 * Alain Herman, Mission Chief, Agence de l'Eau ArtoisPicardie.

Reference works
Paper for the 13th International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society.

Prior water quality data.

Interoffice communication, Societe Eau et Force.

Laing and Rausch, 1993 (1994 according to Gordon & Avera: "...Laing and Rausch reported on specifics of aeration and pollution abatement in the Helpe-Mineure river (France)"); (+)

Batteux and Laing, 1993; (+)

Mitterrand and Barnier, 1994 (+) ((+)These three are cited: "Laing and Rausch 8 where within 5 … in abundance, see Batteux and Laing 9 and Mitterrand and … with the water quality..." in Determination of Critical Factors in Implementing River Clean-Up Projects: A Malaysian Case Study Zubaidah Ismail, Khatijah Salim. 26 October 2012 onlinelibrary.wiley.com