January 6, 2026

Bringing Big Plant Protection to a Small Town’s Treatment Plant with Grit King® Compact

Bringing Big Plant Protection to a Small Town’s Treatment Plant with Grit King® Compact

The Village of Shiloh is a small community in north-central Ohio with a population of around 690.

Located east of Ohio’s famous Amish Country, Shiloh has a strong Amish and Old Order Mennonite influence.

 

Background

While the village didn’t need a large wastewater treatment plant, it wanted the benefits of a high-performance grit removal system like the Grit King®, which has been proven to protect downstream processes and improve plant efficiency. 

 

The Problem

Shiloh owns and operates its own wastewater treatment facility, which treats approximately 50,000 gallons per day (189,270 L/d) at average flows and up to 725,000 gallons per day (2,744,424 L/d) at peak flows. Historically, the plant had no grit removal system. The original headworks consisted only of a manual coarse bar screen. Treatment included primary clarification and a trickling filter system, but due to the rudimentary headworks, the facility was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. 

Labor availability was another challenge. The Village had no full-time staff at the wastewater treatment plant and relied on a certified operator to visit once or twice a week to ensure compliance with EPA requirements. This operator also managed several other small treatment facilities in the region, leaving little time for additional maintenance at Shiloh’s plant. 

 

The Solution

With limited staffing and increasing maintenance demands, Shiloh needed a very low-maintenance grit removal system that could provide advanced grit management performance and protect downstream infrastructure under all conditions with minimal supervision. The system had to be simple to install, require little contractor time, and avoid extensive custom site work. 

The Village found its ideal solution in Oldcastle Infrastructure’s Grit King® Compact system. This pre-packaged grit removal system was easy to install, fit within the plant’s budget, required minimal maintenance, and could meet the facility’s needs well into the future. The Grit King® Compact, engineered by Hydro International, delivers all the performance of industry-leading grit separation technology in a fully integrated system that outputs clean, dry grit ready for cost-effective disposal. 

To keep costs manageable for small plants, internal components in low-wear areas are constructed of durable plastic rather than stainless steel, reducing material costs without compromising performance. The Grit King® Compact is specifically designed for smaller plants, providing total plant protection with very little maintenance—addressing Shiloh’s operational challenges and staffing limitations. 

 

The Outcome

By installing the Grit King® Compact, the Village of Shiloh secured a reliable, low-maintenance grit removal solution that protects its treatment processes, reduces maintenance demands, and ensures compliance with environmental standards. The system’s simplicity and durability make it an ideal fit for small communities with limited resources, delivering long-term performance and peace of mind. 

 

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