Municipal Applications

Drinking Water

Pretreatment, Solids Removal, & Clarification

Algae Removal:

Surface Water & Treatment Ponds

Solids Thickening

 

And More…

 

Municipal and Drinking Water Treatment with SAF®

Suspended Air® Flotation (SAF®) technology is deployed across municipal treatment facilities for a wide range of applications—from algae removal and landfill leachate treatment to solids thickening and advanced water clarification.

Key Applications:

  • Drinking Water Pretreatment – Removes algae, silt, and solids to extend filter cycles and improve plant efficiency

  • Algae Removal – Effective for seasonal blooms and high-turbidity surface water events

  • Solids Thickening – Thickens waste activated sludge (WAS) and anaerobic digestate with less energy and polymer

  • Clarification – Enhanced primary clarification, grit removal, and secondary clarification with thickening

  • Water Reclamation – Assists in meeting California Title 22 standards for reuse applications

  • Landfill Leachate – Treats complex waste streams with high solids and variable loads

Sustainable Advantages:

  • Low Energy Use – SAF® consumes a fraction of the power required by DAF, IAF, and other conventional systems

  • Reduced Chemical Demand – Requires significantly less polymer and conditioning agents

  • Compact Footprint – Modular, skid-mounted, and fully integrated systems eliminate the need for expansion/construction

  • Lower Emissions – Energy-efficient operation supports municipal GHG reduction goals

Whether for pretreatment, recovery, or discharge compliance, SAF® helps municipalities do more with less—while meeting today’s environmental and regulatory demands.

Case Studies & Downloads

MUNICIPAL APPLICATION DOWNLOADS

SAF® System
Pilot Trailer
Standard system features include an influent flow meter, dual compartment conditioning tank, coagulant metering pump, polymer activation and aging system, Suspended Air® Emulsion Generator, ClearFloater™ Flotation Separator, dewatering conveyor, and process control panel. A pH sensor/controller and acid/base fixed PID loops can be supplied as an option.

To learn more about our Municipal Applications, see our downloads and specification table below.

MUNICIPAL TREATMENT APPLICATIONS

Application
Treatment Objectives
City of Fortuna Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fortuna California
  • Waste Activated Sludge Thickening
  • Filtrate Treatment
  • Enhanced Primary Clarification
Synagro (Contractor for Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant),
Sacramento California
Digester Solids Treatment
Pleasant Valley State Prison
  • Algae Removal from Holding Pond effluent
  • Water Reclamation for Orchard Irrigation
  • California Title 22 Compliance
Graton Community Services District
  • Algae Removal from Holding Pond effluent
  • Water Reclamation for NPDES permit discharge
  • California Title 22 Compliance
TSS = Total Suspended Solids BOD = Biological Oxygen Demand FOG = Fats, Oil, Grease

Heron Innovators, Inc., established 1998

The innovation behind Suspended Air® Flotation (SAF®) was invented by the late Dr. Felix Sebba in 1975. Since then, the engineering and science team at Heron Innovators has advanced this technology establishing flotation without dissolved air® as the next level in liquid/solid separation for water and wastewater treatment and solids thickening.

Since Heron Innovators is located in California's agricultural Central Valley, Suspended Air® Flotation (SAF®)'s first installations were in the food processing industry. Installations have expanded to other industries across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The SAF® process is applied anywhere physical/chemical separation via flotation is a viable solution to water quality. SAF® advances previous traditional process systems (i.e. dissolved air flotation, DAF, induced air flotation, IAF, Induced Gas Flotation, IGF, enhanced clarification, cavitation air flotation, CAF, and other micro-bubble generators) through flotation without dissolved air®.

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Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

Effectively removes stormwater pollutants, helping to protect and restore the quality of natural waterways before discharge into sensitive environments. This custom-engineered, permanent, post-construction solution functions as a modular, high-flow treatment system, operating by gravity within a single swirl chamber. The device captures coarse sediment, trash, and free-floating oil.
The Aqua-Swirl® uses a single swirl chamber to capture sediment, trash, and free-floating oil, protecting natural waterways before stormwater discharge.
With units that are 50% lighter than concrete and delivered 50% faster from order to install, Aqua-Swirl® is easier to handle and comes in 2X more model sizes than competitors.
Lab-tested and 3rd-party verified by agencies like WADOE, NJDEP/NJCAT, and CA SWRCB, the system offers surface-level access for simple sediment removal—no special equipment needed.

Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

Aqua-Ponic™ is a modular, vegetated biofiltration system that treats stormwater runoff through a natural process of filtration, plant uptake, and microbial action. Designed for below-grade installations, the system reduces total suspended solids (TSS), nutrients, metals, and hydrocarbons. Ideal for GI, LID, green streets, and retrofit projects, Aqua-Ponic provides an attractive and functional solution that supports stormwater quality goals while blending into the surrounding landscape.
The Aqua-Ponic™ modular biofiltration system uses natural filtration, plant uptake, and microbial action to remove TSS, nutrients, metals, and hydrocarbons
Designed for green infrastructure and retrofit projects, it’s factory-built, easy to maintain, and integrates seamlessly into the landscape.
With a footprint 2X smaller than competitors and 60% better performance than typical biofiltration, Aqua-Ponic™ delivers sustainable stormwater treatment in a lighter, more efficient package.

Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

Effectively removes stormwater pollutants, helping to protect and restore the quality of natural waterways before discharge into sensitive environments. This custom-engineered, permanent, post-construction solution functions as a modular, high-flow treatment system, operating by gravity within a single swirl chamber. The device captures coarse sediment, trash, and free-floating oil.
The Aqua-Filter™ stormwater system removes fine particles, solids, nutrients, and heavy metals using a vertical gravity flow process
With lightweight construction—60–70% lighter than concrete—it installs up to 50% faster and reduces total cost of ownership by half.
Offering high pollutant removal and customizable media options, Aqua-Filter™ is engineered to meet the toughest post-construction water quality standards.

Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

Unlike conventional dryers that cause dust, breakage, or compaction, the Turbo-Dryer® uses a vertical stack of slowly rotating trays. This design gently advances material while precisely controlled process air flows across each layer—keeping fragile flakes, crystals, powders, and pellets intact, clean, and free-flowing.

With proven dependability across industries, the Turbo-Dryer® offers fully automatic operation, uses any heating medium, and requires minimal cleaning. Its versatile thermal processing keeps operating costs low while maintaining consistent, Class-A quality output.

Backed by decades of successful installations, the Turbo-Dryer® consistently outperforms other drying systems by eliminating problems like caking, bridging, or compacting in storage. The result is reduced disposal costs, smoother handling in silos and railcars, and material that’s always ready for beneficial reuse.

Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

With proven installations running strong for 40+ years, the Plunger Pump is engineered for long service life—lowering overall costs through exceptional durability.

This pump reliably handles solids up to 1-3/4", runs dry without damage, and is designed for simple, low-maintenance operation in the toughest environments.

Even under wear, the Plunger Pump delivers consistent flow rates and superior reliability, making it a trusted solution for demanding sludge applications.

Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

Komline’s RO systems remove 98% of harmful substances—including lead, chlorine, nitrates, pesticides, and PFAS—delivering safe, high-quality drinking and process water.

With capacities from 50 to 1,500 GPM and 75–85% feed water recovery, RO technology maximizes efficiency while supporting everything from municipal to industrial needs.

Komline offers full-service coverage—design, build, operate, maintain—with built-in Operational Intelligence for proactive system monitoring and reliable performance.

Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

The Roto-Kone® uses its unique conical shape to maximize the full length of the belt, boosting drainage efficiency like no other system.

By holding back solids while keeping them in constant motion, the Roto-Kone® achieves optimal free-water removal across the sludge blanket.

The system supports higher loadings and greater cake solids—often with the same or reduced polymer dose—delivering both performance and savings.

Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

The Paddle Dryer reduces disposal costs while converting sludge into marketable by-products or fuel sources—turning waste into opportunity.

Engineered for performance, it achieves 90+% dry solids (and even 99+% when needed), producing Class A Biosolids ready for beneficial reuse.

With high thermal efficiency, continuous operation, and the ability to run on 100% biogas, the Paddle Dryer delivers both reliability and sustainability.

Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

Suspended Air® Flotation (SAF®) uses charged micro-bubbles, called Aphrons, that attract, attach to, and encapsulate solids to make them buoyant.

SAF® consistently achieves higher Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal than conventional flotation systems, even under variable influent conditions.

SAF® systems handle high loading rates in a smaller space, reducing OP/EX and enabling easy integration into existing flotation water treatment systems. These systems are known as conversions.

Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

The VKR features a unique knuckle-chain "link" drive that eliminates the need for lower sprockets or guide rails in the waste stream—simplifying the design while reducing submerged parts susceptible to wear and maintenance issues.

This automatic, self-cleaning bar screen supports channel widths from 12" to 4 ft and depths up to 20 ft, with customizable bar spacing from ¼" to 3"+. It also offers durable construction options—including 304 or 316 stainless steel and cast CF8M stainless steel links—for long-lasting performance in harsh environments.

Equipped with scoop-shaped rake shelves that capture solids effectively, the VKR ensures no loss of material during each pass. It also incorporates a brushless, water-free automatic discharge wiper (with UHMW polyester blades), delivering clean, reliable operation without the mess or upkeep of brushes and water systems.

Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

The Model EWP is a heavy-duty spiral press engineered to wash, dewater, compact, and transport screenings—delivering material to a conveyor, container, or other discharge point with dependable performance day in, day out.

It features a stainless steel press body with separate washing and dewatering zones. A hollow-shaft spiral, complete with internal perforations and a trailing nylon brush, injects wash water from the inside out and scrubs debris clean. A gasket-sealed, latch-ready stainless drain pan ensures easy access and hassle-free maintenance.

Through a cycle of forward and reverse spiral motion—repeated at least four times—the press removes up to 90% of organic content from screenings. The result? A dramatic 70–85% reduction in material volume from inlet to discharge.

Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

This robust screen features self-supporting integral frames and heavy-duty bar racks designed to withstand high hydraulic loads. It’s engineered for tough conditions like deep channels and continuous operation, ensuring long-term, productive service even in demanding environments.
Equipped with fully automatic, multiple-speed UL-approved controls and a brushless, water-free automatic discharge wiper, the VMR offers efficient screening with minimal maintenance. The self-positioning wiper and replaceable UHMW polyester blades ensure clean, hassle-free discharge without brushes or water spray.
Capable of handling channel widths from 18 inches up to 8 feet and depths over 50 feet (at typical angles of 75°–85°), the VMR supports variable frequency drive (VFD) for soft starts and speed control. It also includes deep rake tooth penetration to prevent blinding, plus options for 304/316 stainless steel construction, curved bar racks to reduce headloss, and customizable bar spacing (.25 in to 3 in+).

Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

A high-speed floating aerator, the EcoJetTM Aerator provides powerful pumping action to transfer oxygen by breaking up wastewater into a spray of particles. The ensuing creation of more surface area drives oxygen into the wastewater, all while dispersing and mixing the oxygen-enriched water. The entire process offers more efficient wastewater treatment for municipalities and industrial applications.
The EcoJet™ Aerator delivers powerful oxygen transfer by breaking wastewater into fine spray particles for more efficient treatment
Built with a durable, balanced design and TEFC motor, it ensures reliable operation with minimal maintenance.
With over 10,000 successful installations and extensive on-site testing capabilities, the EcoJet™ Aerator is trusted for municipal and industrial applications.

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Quick Facts

Industrial

Municipal

Suspended Air® Flotation (SAF®) uses charged micro-bubbles, called Aphrons, that attract, attach to, and encapsulate solids to make them buoyant.

SAF® consistently achieves higher Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal than conventional flotation systems, even under variable influent conditions.

SAF® systems handle high loading rates in a smaller space, reducing OP/EX and enabling easy integration into existing flotation water treatment systems. These systems are known as conversions.