The Port of Bremerton announces that in cooperation with Karcher Creek Sewer District, it intends to install its first Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) waste water treatment system in a new industrial building being constructed by SaTraP LLC just inside the main entrance to the Olympic View Business Park. This system developed by Huber Technology will provide on-site wastewater treatment through membrane technology that results in clean, Class A effluent. The decision to install this system came after meeting with Huber Technology officials where it was further understood that this system may be a viable and affordable option for failing drain fields in Kitsap County and the Puget Sound region. As a first step in getting approval by the State of Washington Department of Health, the Huber MBR system will be tested as a demonstration pilot project to help gather significant data to demonstrate treatment capacity leading to final state approval to be sought by the manufacturer. The Port’s MBR will be built in line with the present permitted regional wastewater system while at the same time allow for testing and data recovery.

“Karcher Creek has been looking for an industrial site to help establish testing protocols and performance data for the system’s use in office/industrial/warehouse and light commercial building applications and the Port’s current project fits the sewer district’s needs perfectly” stated Larry Curles, Karcher Creek General Manager. “We have thoroughly tested this system at the Karcher wastewater treatment facility and have been seeking a field test for further evaluation.” “The Port jumped at this opportunity recognizing that it fits so well with the established objective of the Kitsap SEED Project” states Port Commissioner Mary Ann Huntington. “Total water re-use is a major component of the SEED Project model.”

Fred Salisbury, the Port Director of Industrial Operations said, “That if tests go well, the Port could see added application to some of its industrial buildings outside of the business park like in Gorst”.

The “pickel” as the housing for the MBR is affectionately called by John Poppe, Karcher Creek Plant Manager, will be installed by the sewer district below ground and will be totally self-contained using only 110 volts of power to run system components to ensure the system operates properly. There is absolutely no potential harm to environment according to Poppe because the MBR is being placed “in-line” in the existing sewer system and all treated wastewater will be returned to the Port’s treatment plant. The Port has asked for assistance from the Kitsap County Health District in the testing.