The Jacana model wastewater treatment plant is a sequencing batch reactor system that provides simple and effective treatment of wastewater. One of the more popular models supplied by ABCO Water Systems, this plant type has been installed in over 20 locations throughout Australia and internationally.

Process
The ABCO Jacana can be defined as an extended aeration sequence batch reactor. Sequence batch reactors are a suspended-growth treatment technology that use timed operations to replace the processes that continuous treatment systems conduct in separate tanks. The advantage of sequence batch reactors is that their control system can be modified to mimic most other process types. The Jacana sequence batch reactor uses multi-phase 8-12 hour cycles to provide the aerobic and anoxic conditions required for optimal organic matter digestion.

Maintenance
The Jacana is a fully automated system, however as with all automatic equipment, a maintenance person is required to ensure correct operation and report deviation from standard conditions. The duties of a maintenance person on a Jacana system involve refilling the chemical containers, cleaning the probes, inspecting for blockages, removing screened waste (if screen is fitted), and monitoring and reporting instrument readings and any alarm conditions.

Servicing
As with all ABCO treatment systems, a quarter-yearly service is recommended to ensure continuous compliance with current Health Department requirements and regulations. ABCO also provides fully comprehensive operation and maintenance contracts, where all maintenance, servicing and emergency response is provided in one monthly sum.

Chemicals
The Jacana plant requires two chemicals for operation; a flocculant and a disinfectant. Typically ABCO recommends the use of polyaluminium chloride as a flocculant and liquid chlorine (12.5%) as a disinfectant.