Situation

• An OEM waste water treatment plant was unable to keep up with treatment of the paint shop effluent

Background

• Galaxy had the chemical treatment and operations of one line in a two line assembly plant
• The waste treatment plant manager complained that she was unable to keep up with the treatment of the paint shop effluent

Solution

• Galaxy began an investigation and determined that the chemical company in the other line was using blow down to control their suspended solids problem
• Instead of solving the problem they resorted to blowing down the system to control the solids
• The OEM began a point source sampling program and discovered what Galaxy already knew
• The other chemical company was given six months to solve their problems

Results

• The other chemical company was unable to resolve their suspended solids problem
• Galaxy was awarded the second plant nine months later and got the other system under control
• Issues at the waste treatment plant were resolved
• The waste treatment plant should not be used as a crutch when systems are not in control – fix the system

CS 12 – Paint Shop Effluent Issues Resolved by Galaxy