Influence of Atypical Cold Weather on Wastewater Stabilization Pond: Case Study from the South Louisiana Snow Storm

Abstract

In subtropical climate wastewater stabilization ponds, the treatment process relies on consistent temperatures and microbial activity. This case study aims to report the findings of an atypical snow event in the state of Louisiana that impacted wastewater treatment processing. A multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the average yearly, seasonal, and single-event datasets to show changes in water parameter correlations for stabilization-based ponds. During the atypical weather event, water temperatures decreased to 9°C, halting microbial activity and emphasizing increased nitrogen species correlations in the primary settling pond. The strong Pearson correlation coefficient for conductivity/ammonium (0.910) and moderate negative correlation of pH/nitrate ( − 0.622 ) indicate an accumulation in nitrogen species, while canonical correlation analysis illustrates a lag time for processing after the atypical snow. This data analysis can provide facility personnel with valuable insight into the shift of pond treatment during extreme events to forecast variability in water quality dynamics and drive operation changes to be proactive in response to environmental conditions.