New Rapid Infiltration Basin (RIB) Disposal System Project

New Arbennie Pritchett RIB Process

Rapid infiltration basins (RIBs) involve reuse of reclaimed water by spreading the effluent into a system of shallow basins, less than 4 feet. The RIBs allow the effluent to infiltrate or percolate into the groundwater. Extensive evaluation and modeling of the current groundwater conditions and any impacts that the new RIBs will have on the groundwater and surrounding properties is required. The RIBs must comply with the requirements of Chapter 62-610.500, F.A.C.

The new effluent RIB system will consist of 18 rapid infiltration basins that are approximately 6 to 7 acres in area.  Treated effluent from the new Arbennie Pritchett WRF will be conveyed to the new RIBs by the effluent pumping station at the WRF.  Each RIB has the capacity to receive and dispose of an average daily flow of 5 mgd and a peak hourly flow of 12.5 mgd. 

The current plan is to construct about 50 percent of the proposed RIBs, for a capacity of about 5 mgd, and maintain sufficient spray field capacity to allow the Garniers WWTP to continue to discharge to the sprayfield while the RIBs are under construction. Once the first phase of RIBs is completed and on-line, the remainder of the RIBs can be constructed. Finally, the existing sprayfield will be abandoned and eventually the property returned to Eglin AFB.

A groundwater model and mounding analysis of the proposed site was developed and submitted to FDEP for review and approval.  The results of this model indicated that when the RIBs are loaded at an averaged daily flow of 10 mgd for 365 days, assuming an annual rainfall of 76.1 inches, and a historic high groundwater elevation that there will be no impacts to surrounding properties.  The new FDEP wastewater permit was designed to ensure that the concentration of ammonia and nitrates that are applied to the RIBs will be less than those currently applied to the existing spray field to minimize the potential for impacts to the receiving groundwater and area surface waters.

» PDF of Overall RIB Site Plan

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