Detention Time vs. Loading
The relationship between how long water stays in a basin and how much load it can absorb before performance degrades.
A basin sized for a specific detention time assumes a corresponding design loading rate; increasing flow without adding volume shortens detention time and effectively raises loading simultaneously.
This dual effect is why a modest flow increase can produce a disproportionate process impact — both less time to treat and more material to treat arrive together.
When evaluating capacity for growth, check both detention time and loading rate against design values rather than assuming headroom in one guarantees headroom in the other.
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