Evoqua Water Technologies’ EPA designated BTA modified Ristroph fish handling traveling screens can help industrial manufacturing facilities and power utilities comply with the EPA’s finalized rules for cooling water intake structures, the water and wastewater treatment company says.
The finalized ruling under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act requires that the location, design, construction and capacity of cooling water intake structures reflect the best technology available (BTA) for minimizing adverse environmental impact to fish and other aquatic life.
As pioneers in the industry more than 30 years ago, Evoqua developed in conjunction with Dr. Joseph D. Ristroph a capture and release method of handling fish. A decade later, Evoqua with the help of Dr. Ian Fletcher improved the system now known as the modified Ristroph design.
The Evoqua modified Ristroph fish screen design is an EPA designated BTA to safely and gently remove fish from intake screens. Design features include special screening panels with deep fish buckets, smooth surface meshes, flow spoilers, low-pressure spray systems and special discharge fish troughs.
In addition to proven BTA, Evoqua says it can upgrade an existing, inefficient screen to better-than-original condition. The company continually develops new component and screen designs for older installations to accommodate changed intake conditions, extend equipment life and reduce operating costs.