Controlled flow baffles for a treatment tank

Abstract

A controlled flow baffle in a treatment tank for water or wastewater treatment includes an opening defined within a surface of the controlled flow baffle, where the opening is operable to allow water or wastewater to flow between adjacent zones defined by the controlled flow baffle in the treatment tank. The controlled flow baffle includes an actuation element able to adjust a size of the opening and / or adjust a height of a weir. Increasing the size of the opening increases a flow of the water or wastewater through the opening and decreases an elevation of a weir crest of the water or wastewater flowing over the controlled flow baffle. Decreasing the size of the opening decreases the flow of the water or wastewater through the opening and increases an elevation of the weir crest of the water or wastewater flowing over the controlled flow baffle.

Description

1 CONTROLLED FLOW BAFFLES FOR A TREATMENT TANK FIELD The present disclosure is directed to water and wastewater treatment and, in particular, to controlled flow baffles that separate a cavity defined within a treatment tank 5 into zones for a water or wastewater treatment process. BACKGROUND The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the 10 present inventive subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed disclosure, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. Select water and wastewater treatment systems utilize water or wastewater treatment processes such as activated sludge processes, densified sludge processes, granular activated sludge 15 processes, and the like. To assist in performing these processes, the water and wastewater treatment systems include treatment basins or tanks or other containment structures, hereinafter referred to as tank or tanks, that may be compartmentalized into zones with baffles. With the compartmentalizing, flow travels across the multiple treatment zones as part of a larger treatment process. 20 In some examples, the compartmentalized zones within the treatment tank may include anaerobic zones, aerobic zones, anoxic zones, oxic zones, mixed zones, unmixed zones, and any combination thereof. The multiple zones may be utilized to create environments that will biologically achieve removal of any combination of phosphorous, nitrogen, and / or organic contaminants. 25 In some instances, processes utilized by water treatment systems (e.g., potable water treatment applications) benefit from a controlled weir crest elevation over, under, and / or around a baffle. Where parameters between the various zones differ within the treatment tank (e.g., zone sizes such as width, length, and / or depth, height of baffle, flow rates between zones, and the like), however, this controlled weir crest can be difficult to achieve. CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 2 SUMMARY Accordingly, there exists a long-felt but unmet need to improve upon water and wastewater treatment systems. In particular, improvements of the present disclosure are directed to a treatment tank with controlled flow baffles that define zones within a treatment tank for various stages of a treatment process. The controlled flow baffles include actuation elements 5 (e.g., covers, shutters, dampers, gates, or the like) may be opened and closed to regulate and control a weir crest over the controlled flow baffles and between the zones to provide required or desired physical or capacity overflow, underflow, through flow or bypass characteristics. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a treatment tank with controlled flow 10 baffles. The controlled flow baffles are utilized to separate a treatment tank into compartments or zones. A flow of water or wastewater travels across the controlled flow baffle and between the compartments or zones as part of a treatment process, between an inlet and an outlet of the treatment tank. In embodiments, the actuation elements in the controlled flow baffles open and close 15 openings or ports in the controlled flow baffles, to allow a portion of the flow to pass through the openings in the controlled flow baffles below the water surface (subsurface). Controlling the actuation elements in the controlled flow baffles assists in maintaining a controlled weir crest of water flowing over the top of the baffle (above-surface). For example, altering a position of an actuation element to increase the size of the opening increases subsurface flow, reducing the 20 elevation of the weir crest over the controlled flow baffle. By way of another example, altering the position of the actuation element to decrease the size of the opening reduces subsurface flow, increasing the elevation of the weir crest over the controlled flow baffle. In embodiments, one or more actuation elements of the controlled flow baffles may be positioned at or near the top of the controlled flow baffle, and may be adjusted to reduce the weir 25 crest to at or below the elevation of the liquid surface. In embodiments, the actuation elements of the controlled flow baffles may be driven by a control mechanism for controlling liquid flow and / or level. The control mechanism controlling the controlled flow baffles allows the subsurface flow profile to vary as the flow of fluid enters into the treatment tank (and / or entering into a particular zone for a particular stage of the treatment 30 process) varies. As such, the control mechanism also assists in maintaining a controlled weir crest elevation over the top of the controlled flow baffles between zones. CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 3 In one example, such as during low flow conditions, the control mechanism drives the actuation elements of the controlled flow baffles such that openings in the controlled flow baffles are closed (or only partially opened), to maintain a desired crest elevation over the top of the controlled flow baffle. In another example, such as during high flow conditions, the control mechanism drives the actuation elements of the controlled flow baffles 5 such that the openings in the controlled flow baffles are mostly (or fully) opened, allowing for a proportionately higher volume of the fluid flow to pass through the subsurface openings while still maintaining the controlled weir crest elevation over the top of the controlled flow baffles at a similar elevation to that achieved during lower flow conditions. 10 The control mechanism may use manual means, automatic means, or a combination of both when adjusting subsurface flow through (and over, under, and / or around) the controlled flow baffles. For example, the control mechanism may be manual and operated by a user monitoring operational parameters such as the flow into, within, and out of the treatment tank. By way of another example, the control mechanism may be automatic and operated by a controller monitoring 15 operational parameters such as the flow into, within, and out of the treatment tank and / or the level in and upstream and downstream or the treatment tank. By way of another example, the control mechanism may include a manually-adjusted control mechanism that is utilized in combination with an automatic means of control. Automatic subsurface control for fluid flow and / or level may be achieved by any method 20 or process that automatically adjusts the volume of fluid flow passing through the openings or ports (and over, under, and / or around the controlled flow baffles) within the controlled flow baffles. For example, these changes may be made in response to changes in upstream hydraulic head that are created by changes in head, and / or volumetric flow influent to the controlled flow baffles. In some configurations, the control mechanism automatically compensates for the changes 25 in upstream hydraulics so that the weir crest elevation over the top of the controlled flow baffles remains controlled during all flow conditions (and / or remains at a desired flow condition as utilized for a particular treatment process and / or stage of the treatment process within or across a particular zone or from one zone to another). In embodiments, the actuation elements of the controlled flow baffles may be passively 30 driven by the forces associated with flow-induced head loss, buoyancy forces, or other means not CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 4 requiring actuation by operator or controller by active means of control (e.g., automatic and / or manual means), either in addition to or instead of the active means of control. A first aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a controlled flow baffle in a treatment tank for water or wastewater treatment. The controlled flow baffle includes an opening defined within a surface of the controlled flow baffle, the opening operable to allow 5 water or wastewater to flow between adjacent zones defined by the controlled flow baffle in the treatment tank. The controlled flow baffle includes an actuation element able to adjust a size of the opening. Increasing the size of the opening by actuating the actuation element increases a flow of the water or wastewater through the opening and decreases an elevation of a weir crest of the water or 10 wastewater flowing over the controlled flow baffle. Decreasing the size of the opening by actuating the actuation element decreases the flow of the water or wastewater through the opening and increases an elevation of the weir crest of the water or wastewater flowing over the controlled flow baffle. The controlled flow baffle of the first aspect may include, optionally, wherein the actuation 15 element is controlled through electronic actuation of a servo coupled to the actuation element. The controlled flow baffle of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein the servo is in communication with a control unit of a control system. The controlled flow baffle of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous 20 embodiments and, optionally, wherein the servo is automatically operated by the control unit of the control system in response to data received from sensors in the treatment tank. The controlled flow baffle of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein the servo is operated following a user input to the control system by a user. 25 The controlled flow baffle of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein the actuation element is controlled through actuation of mechanical assemblies coupled to the actuation element. The controlled flow baffle of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein the actuation of the mechanical assemblies is automatically 30 operated by a control unit of a control system. CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 5 The controlled flow baffle of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein the actuation of the mechanical assemblies is manually operated by a user. The controlled flow baffle of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein the actuation element is passively 5 controlled by forces associated with flow-induced head loss, buoyancy forces, or other means not requiring actuation by operator or controller. The controlled flow baffle of the first aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, includes an actuation element positioned proximate to a top edge or 10 surface of the controlled flow baffle for increasing or reducing a weir crest for the controlled flow baffle to above, at, or below the elevation of the liquid surface. A second aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a treatment system for water or wastewater treatment. The treatment system includes a treatment tank. The treatment tank includes an inlet able to receive water or wastewater in need of treatment. The treatment tank includes an 15 outlet able to provide treated water or wastewater. The treatment tank includes a controlled flow baffle between the inlet and the outlet. The controlled flow baffle includes an opening defined within a surface of the controlled flow baffle, the opening operable to allow received water or wastewater to flow between adjacent zones defined by the controlled flow baffle in the treatment tank. The controlled flow baffle includes an actuation element able to adjust a size of the opening. 20 Increasing the size of the opening by actuating the actuation element increases a flow of the received water or wastewater through the opening and decreases an elevation of a weir crest of the water or wastewater flowing over the controlled flow baffle. Decreasing the size of the opening by actuating the actuation element decreases the flow of the received water or wastewater through the opening and increases an elevation of the weir crest of the water or wastewater flowing over the 25 controlled flow baffle. The treatment system of the second aspect may include, optionally, a control system operable to control the actuation element to adjust the size of the opening, wherein the control system includes a control unit in communication with a servo coupled to the actuation element. The treatment system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous 30 embodiments and, optionally, a sensor within the treatment tank to monitor operational parameters CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 6 within the treatment tank, wherein data from the sensors is provided to the control unit of the control system. The treatment system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein, based on the data from the sensor, the control unit automatically controls a position of the actuation e 5 lement via control of the servo. The treatment system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein the servo is operated following a user input to the control system by a user. The treatment system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous 10 embodiments and, optionally, wherein the actuation element is controlled through actuation of mechanical assemblies coupled to the actuation element. The treatment system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein the actuation of the mechanical assemblies is automatically operated by a control unit of a control system. 15 The treatment system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein the actuation of the mechanical assemblies is manually operated by a user. The treatment system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein the actuation element is passively controlled by forces 20 associated with flow-induced head loss, buoyancy forces, or other means not requiring actuation by operator or controller. The treatment system of the second aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein the controlled flow baffle further includes an actuation element positioned proximate to a top edge or surface of the controlled flow baffle for increasing 25 or reducing a weir crest for the controlled flow baffle to above, at, or below the elevation of the liquid surface. A third aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method. The method may include, but is not limited to, providing a treatment tank for water or wastewater treatment, wherein the treatment tank includes a controlled flow baffle. The method may include, but is not limited to, 30 receiving water or wastewater in need of treatment within the treatment tank. The method may include, but is not limited to, passing the water or wastewater through stages of a treatment process. CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 7 The method may include, but is not limited to, monitoring a weir crest of the water or wastewater flowing over the controlled flow baffle. The method may include, but is not limited to, providing treated water or wastewater from the treatment tank. The method of the third aspect may include, optionally, increasing a size of an opening in a surface of the controlled flow baffle by adjusting an actuation element 5 when an elevation of the weir crest exceeds a pre-determined threshold, to decrease the elevation of the weir crest. The method of the third aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, decreasing a size of an opening in a surface of the controlled flow baffle by adjusting an actuation element when an elevation of the weir crest is below a pre-determined threshold, to 10 increase the elevation of the weir crest. The method of the third aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, adjusting a height of a surface weir by adjusting an actuation element when an elevation of the weir crest is below a pre-determined threshold or exceeds a pre-determined threshold. The method of the third aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, 15 optionally, wherein the adjusting of the actuation element is automatically performed by a control unit in communication with a servo coupled to the actuation element based on data received from sensors that monitor the weir crest over the controlled flow baffle. The method of the third aspect may include one or more of the previous embodiments and, optionally, wherein the adjusting of the actuation element is passively controlled by forces 20 associated with flow-induced head loss, buoyancy forces, or other means not requiring actuation by operator or controller. The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and / or”, as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and 25 C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and / or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, dimensions, conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” or “approximately”. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the terms 30 “about,” “approximately,” etc., when used in relation to numerical limitations or ranges, mean that the recited limitation or range may vary by up to 10%. By way of non-limiting example, “about CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 8 750” can mean as little as 675 or as much as 825, or any value therebetween. When used in relation to ratios or relationships between two or more numerical limitations or ranges, the terms “about,” “approximately,” etc. mean that each of the limitations or ranges may vary by up to 10%; by way of non-limiting example, a statement that two quantities are “approximately equal” can mean that a ratio between the two quantities is as little as 0.9:1.1 or 5 as much as 1.1:0.9 (or any value therebetween), and a statement that a four-way ratio is “about 5:3:1:1” can mean that the first number in the ratio can be any value of at least 4.5 and no more than 5.5, the second number in the ratio can be any value of at least 2.7 and no more than 3.3, and so on. The use of “substantially” in the present disclosure, when referring to a measurable 10 quantity (e.g., a diameter or other distance) and used for purposes of comparison, is intended to mean within 5% of the comparative quantity. The terms “substantially similar to,” “substantially the same as,” and “substantially equal to,” as used herein, should be interpreted as if explicitly reciting and encompassing the special case in which the items of comparison are “similar to,” “the same as” and “equal to,” respectively. 15 The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be used 20 interchangeably herein. The use of “engaged with” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass any direct or indirect connections between components. It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the 25 equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials, or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, Abstract, and claims themselves. These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the invention(s) contained herein. The above-described embodiments, objectives, and configurations are neither 30 complete nor exhaustive. The Summary is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, references made CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 9 herein to “the present disclosure” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present disclosure and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present disclosure is intended 5 by either the inclusion or noninclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary. Additional aspects of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings. It is to be appreciated that any feature or aspect described herein can be claimed in 10 combination with any other feature(s) or aspect(s) as described herein, regardless of whether the features or aspects come from the same described embodiment. Any one or more aspects described herein can be combined with any other one or more aspects described herein. Any one or more features described herein can be combined with any other one or more features described herein. Any one or more embodiments described herein can 15 be combined with any other one or more embodiments described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Those of skill in the art will recognize that the following description is merely illustrative of the principles of the disclosure, which may be applied in various ways to provide many different 20 alternative embodiments. This description is made for illustrating the general principles of the teachings of this disclosure and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to 25 explain the principles of the disclosure. Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a treatment tank with controlled flow baffles, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the treatment tank with the controlled flow baffles of Fig. 1, where the controlled flow baffles include actuation elements, in accordance with one or more 30 embodiments of the present disclosure; CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 10 Fig. 3 is an example of a treatment process within a treatment tank with the controlled flow baffles of Fig. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and Fig. 4 is an example of a treatment process within a treatment tank with the controlled flow baffles of Fig. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is an example of a treatment process within a treatment 5 tank with the controlled flow baffles of Fig. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and Fig. 6 is a process flow diagram for using the treatment tank with the controlled flow baffles of Fig. 1, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and various 10 dimensions may be altered. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. It is noted that any line in the drawings may be illustrated as solid or broken lines, including any section or length of each individual line, without departing from the 15 scope of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that recitation of, for example, reference character 116, 116A, 116B, etc. may apply to any combination of reference characters 116, 116A, 116B, etc. Reference Numeral Name 100 Treatment System 20 102 Treatment Tank 104 Wall or Boundary of Treatment Tank 106 Cavity 108 Inlet 110 Outlet 25 112, 112A Zone 112B, 112C, 112D Zone 114, 114A Controlled Flow Baffle 114B, 114C Controlled Flow Baffle 116, 116A Surface 30 116B, 116C Surface 200, 200A Actuation Element CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 11 200B, 200C, 200D Actuation Element 201 Actuation Element Proximate to Top of Weir 202A, 202B, 202C Flow Through Baffle Port or Opening 204A, 204B, 204C Opening or Port 5 206A, 206B, 206C Weir Crest 208 Bottom 210, 210A Control Mechanism 210B, 210C Control Mechanism 211 Control Mechanism 10 212 Control System 214, 214A Sensors 214B, 214C Sensors 214D, 214E, 214F Sensors 216 Control Unit 15 218 Processors 220 Memory 222 User Interface 224 Transmitters and Receivers 300 Wastewater Treatment Process 20 302 Anaerobic Stage 304 Anoxic Stage 306 Aerobic Stage 308, 308A, 308B Zone 308C, 308D, 308E Zone 25 310, 310A Controlled Flow Baffle 310B, 310C, 310D Controlled Flow Baffle 400 Wastewater Treatment Process 402 Anaerobic Stage 404 Anaerobic / Anoxic Stage 30 406 Anoxic / Oxic Swing Zone Stage 408 Oxic Stage CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 12 410, 410A, 410B Zone 410C, 410D, 410E Zone 410F, 410G, 410H Zone 412, 412A Controlled Flow Baffle 412B, 412C 5 , 412D Controlled Flow Baffle 412E, 412F, 412G Controlled Flow Baffle 414 Divider 416 Physical Wall 500 Water Treatment Process 10 502, 502A Zone 502B,502C, 502D Zone 504, 504A Controlled Flow Baffle 504B, 504C Controlled Flow Baffle 506 Flocculation Stage 15 508 Sedimentation Stage 600 Method or Process 602 Provide Controlled Flow Baffles for a Treatment Tank 604 Receive Water or Wastewater 606 Pass Water or Wastewater Through Stages of Treatment 20 Process 608 Monitor Weir Crest Over Controlled Flow Baffles 610 Increase Opening Size in Controlled Flow Baffle 612 Decrease Opening Size in Controlled Flow Baffle 614 Adjust Height of Surface Weir 25 616 Provide Treated Water or Wastewater DETAILED DESCRIPTION Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the 30 words of the claims set forth at the end of this disclosure. The Detailed Description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the treatment CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 13 tank with controlled flow baffles since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. Additionally, any combination of features shown in the various figures can be used to create additional embodiments of 5 the present disclosure. Thus, dimensions, aspects, and features of one embodiment of the treatment tank with controlled flow baffles can be combined with dimensions, aspects, and features of another embodiment of the treatment tank with controlled flow baffles to create the claimed embodiment. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to controlled flow baffles for a 10 treatment tank. The treatment tank receives water or wastewater in need of treatment, and outputs treated water or wastewater. During treatment, the received water or wastewater is subjected to one or more stages of a water or wastewater treatment process within the treatment tank. The treatment tank includes zones defined by the controlled flow baffles, where the various stages of the water or wastewater treatment process are isolated to one or more defined zones. To maintain 15 a desired (e.g., controlled) weir crest over the controlled flow baffles, the controlled flow baffles include actuation elements that may be adjusted to open and close openings within the controlled flow baffles or the relative surface weir elevation. The actuation elements are driven by a control mechanism, in response to manual and / or automatic controls from a control system. Fig. 1 illustrates a treatment system 100, in accordance with one or more embodiments of 20 the present disclosure. It is noted that the treatment system 100 is provided only at a high level of generality, and that the configuration and / or design of the treatment system 100 as illustrated in Fig. 1 is not intended on being limiting to the present disclosure. In embodiments, the treatment system 100 includes a treatment tank 102. The treatment tank 102 includes one or more walls 104 (or boundaries 104 of the treatment tank 102, in general) 25 that are arranged in any of a number of configurations. For example, the treatment tank 102 may have a rectangular cross-section in area, and include boundaries or walls 104 arranged to form a rectangular prism. By way of another example, the treatment tank 102 may have an oval or elliptical cross-section in area, and have boundaries or walls 104 arranged to form a volume defined by a rectangular prism inner portion capped by two hemi-spherical outer portions. 30 The treatment tank 102 may optionally include a bottom structure (e.g., bottom 208, as illustrated in Fig. 2) to enclose a cavity 106 defined within the treatment tank 102 in addition to CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 14 the one or more boundaries or walls 104, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. However, in at least some configurations the bottom of the treatment tank 102 may be open (e.g., such as when treated water is to be returned to an upstream physical location or treatment unit 102). The treatment tank 102 may optionally include a top structure or 5 lid to enclose the cavity 106 defined within the treatment tank 102 in addition to the one or more boundaries or walls 104, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. However, in at least some configurations the bottom of the treatment tank 102 may be open (e.g., such as when the treatment tank 102 is open-air as with some select water or wastewater treatment facilities). 10 It should be understood that the boundaries or walls 104, the optional bottom structure 208, and / or the optional top structure may be integrally formed as the treatment tank 102, or may be separately formed and joined together to form the treatment tank 102, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, water or wastewater flows through an inlet 108 in the treatment tank 102. 15 The water or wastewater passes through one or more stages of a water or wastewater treatment process within the cavity 106 of the treatment tank 102, before exiting through an outlet 110 in the treatment tank 102. For example, the inlet 108 may be in a first endwall of the treatment tank 102, and the outlet 110 may be in a second endwall of the treatment tank 102. By way of another example, the inlet 108 may be through a top structure or a top opening of the treatment tank 102, 20 and the outlet 110 may be through a bottom structure or a bottom opening of the treatment tank 102. In general, the treatment tank 102 includes one or more inlets 108 for water or wastewater in need of treatment to enter the treatment tank 102 (e.g., either pre-treatment, or post-treatment and recycled for another pass through the treatment process), and one or more outlets 110 for posttreated water or wastewater to exit the treatment tank 102. 25 In embodiments, the cavity 106 defined within the treatment tank 102 is separated into a plurality of zones 112 by one or more controlled flow baffles 114. For example, one or more of each of the plurality of zones 112 may be specific to a particular stage (or stages) of the water or wastewater treatment process that occurs within the treatment system 100. As such, separating the zones (aside from transfer between the zones) by the one or more controlled flow baffles 114 is 30 beneficial to increase isolation and / or process function of the stages of the water or wastewater treatment process. CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 15 The water or wastewater may flow over the top of the controlled flow baffles 114, forming a weir crest, as the water or wastewater passes through or across the zones 112 and each respective specific stage (or stages) of the water or wastewater treatment process. It is noted that in many wastewater applications, it is desirable to have a weir crest be controlled during passage through the treatment tank to facilitate improved zone treatment efficacy and surface 5 flow characteristics. However, due to changes in operational parameters within the treatment tank 102 (e.g., such as changes in head loss, velocity, pressure, and the like), the weir crest may have high and / or low points in various zones 112 within the treatment tank 102. To address inconsistency in weir crest elevation within the treatment tank 102, the controlled flow baffles 114 of the treatment tank 10 102 can include actuation elements to increase or decrease the size of openings within a surface 116 of the controlled flow baffles 114. Fig. 2 illustrates the actuation elements 200 of the controlled flow baffles 114, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that the treatment system 100 is provided only at a high level of generality, and that the configuration and / or design 15 of the treatment system 100 as illustrated in Fig. 2 is not intended on being limiting to the present disclosure. In particular, it should be understood that Figs. 1 and 2 both include the treatment tank 102, although the number of controlled flow baffles 114 may differ between the two figures, such that embodiments directed to the treatment tank 102 in Fig. 1 and the embodiments directed to the treatment tank 102 in Fig. 2 are interchangeable. 20 In embodiments, each controlled flow baffle 114 includes one or more actuation elements 200 arranged in one or more directions (e.g., in a depth direction and / or in a width direction across a surface 116 of the controlled flow baffle 114). For example, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the controlled flow baffles 114 include at least two actuation elements 200. It is noted that the controlled flow baffles 114 in the treatment tank 102 in Fig. 2 are provided to illustrate various states of actuation 25 element 200 and are not intended on being limiting for purposes of present disclosure, including with respect to baffle flow 202 and the arrangement and / or timing of opening and closing openings or ports 204 within the controlled flow baffles 114 by the actuation elements 200. For example, the controlled flow baffle 114A includes actuation elements 200A in a closed position or a low flow position. With the actuation elements 200A in the closed position or the low 30 flow position, flow 202A between zone 112A and zone 112B through openings or ports 204A CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 16 within a surface 116A of the controlled flow baffle 114A is reduced or stopped entirely (e.g., down to approximately 0% flow rate). By way of another example, the controlled flow baffle 114B includes actuation elements 200B in a partially open position or a moderate flow position. With the actuation elements 200B in the partially open position or the moderate flow position, flow 5 202B between zone 112B and zone 112C through openings or ports 204B within a surface 116B of the controlled flow baffle 114B is a pre-determined amount that ranges between approximately 0% and approximately 100% flow rate. By way of another example, the controlled flow baffle 114C includes actuation elements 10 200C in a fully open position or a high flow position. With the actuation elements 200C in the fully open position or the high flow position, flow 202C between zone 112C and zone 112D through openings or ports 204C within a surface 116C of the controlled flow baffle 114C is increased or at a maximum rate (e.g., up to approximately 100% flow rate). It is noted that the positioning of the actuation elements 200 and corresponding openings 15 or ports 204 within the controlled flow baffles 114 in Fig. 2 is not intended on being limited to the present disclosure. For example, the actuation elements 200 and corresponding openings or ports 204 may be positioned in a lower portion of the controlled flow baffles 114. By way of another example, the actuation elements 200 and corresponding openings or ports 204 may be positioned in at approximately the midpoint along the height of the controlled flow baffles 114. Further, the 20 actuation elements 200 and corresponding openings or ports 204 may be positioned in an upper portion of the controlled flow baffles 114. In addition, it is noted that the controlled flow baffles are not limited to the actuation element 200. For example, one or more actuation elements 201 of the controlled flow baffles 114 may be positioned proximate to (e.g., at or near) the top edge or surface of the controlled flow 25 baffle 114, in addition to or instead of the actuation elements 200 within the surface 116 of the controlled flow baffles 114. In some instances, the actuation element 201 may be adjusted to increase or reduce the weir crest 206 for the particular controlled flow baffle 114 to above, at, or below the elevation of the liquid surface. With the various positions of the actuation elements 200A, 200B, 200C, 201 and resultant 30 respective baffle flow 202A, 202B, 202C, the water or wastewater flowing through the treatment tank 102 between the inlet 108 and the outlet 110 will have a controlled elevation for weir crests CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 17 over the respective controlled flow baffles 114A, 114B, 114C. For example, a weir crest 206A over the controlled flow baffle 114A, a weir crest 206B over the controlled flow baffle 114B, and a weir crest 206C over the controlled flow baffle 114C may be maintained to controlled levels due to adjustment of the additional respective baffle flow 202A, 202B, 202C, 201 through the respective openings or ports 204A, 204B, 204C within the respective 5 controlled flow baffles 114A, 114B, 114C, depending on the positioning of the respective actuation elements 200A, 200B, 200C. In embodiments, the actuation of the actuation elements 200A, 200B, 200C, 201 is driven by respective control mechanisms 210A, 210B, 210C, 211. For example, the control mechanisms 210A, 210B, 210C, 211 may be manually-operated by a user monitoring operational parameters 10 within the treatment tank 102, including via direct-drive mechanical assemblies and / or via electrical assemblies controlled by user inputs from a control system 212. By way of another example, the control mechanisms 210A, 210B, 210C, 211 may be automatically-operated by the control system 212 monitoring operational parameters within the treatment tank 102 (e.g., via sensors 214B, 214C, 214D, 214E and / or with sensors 214A, 214F proximate to the inlet 108 and 15 outlet 110 of the treatment tank 102). In further examples, a combination of manual and automated control mechanisms 210, 211 may be used. In some non-limiting instances, such as where the actuation elements 200, 201 is a plate or gate, the control mechanisms 210, 211 may include manually-driven actuators and / or servos or other motors or pneumatics that actuate the plate or gate via a translating motion (e.g., along tracks 20 or rails) or a rotating motion (e.g., about an axis through a hinge). In other non-limiting instances, such as where the actuation elements 200, 201 is a shutter (e.g., similar to a camera aperture, or a vent cover with multiple slats), the control mechanisms 210, 211 may include manually-driven actuators and / or servos or other motors or pneumatics that actuate the shutter via a translating motion (e.g., along tracks or rails for the aperture blades) or a rotating motion (e.g., about an axis 25 through a central axis through the slats). It is noted that the servos or other motors or pneumatics may be considered components of the control system 212 and / or in communication with components of the control system 212 (e.g., such as control units 216). In embodiments, the control system 212 includes one or more control units 216 (e.g., a controller, server, or the like). The one or more sensors 214 may be coupled (e.g., physically 30 coupled, electrically coupled, communicatively coupled, or the like) to or integrated in the control system 212, the one or more control units 216, the treatment tank 102, and / or the subassemblies CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 18 and / or components of the treatment tank 102. The one or more sensors 214 may be operable to determine various operational, physical, and / or environmental parameters of the treatment tank 102, the subassemblies and / or components of the treatment tank 102, and / or the control system 212; the environment surrounding the treatment tank 102, the subassemblies and / or components of the treatment tank 102, and / or the control system 212, and the like. 5 In one non-limiting example, the sensors 214 may be operable to determine the surface elevation of the water or wastewater within the cavity 106 of the treatment tank 102, and / or the zones 112 defined within the cavity 106 by the controlled flow baffles 114. The one or more control units 216 may include processors 218 and memory 220 (e.g., a 10 memory medium, memory device, or the like). The processors 218 may be configured to execute program instructions maintained on or stored in the memory 220. The processors 218 of the one or more control units 216 may execute any of the various method or process steps necessary to operate the control mechanisms 210, 211 and / or the sensors 214 within the treatment system 100, and / or the subassemblies and / or components of the treatment system 100 including the actuation 15 elements 200. The control system 212 may include a user interface 222. For example, the user interface 222 may be a separate device coupled (e.g., physically coupled, electrically coupled, communicatively coupled, or the like) to the one or more control units 216. By way of another example, the user interface 222 and the one or more control units 216 may be located within a 20 common or shared housing. The user interface 222 may include one or more displays, one or more user input devices, and / or one or more port connectors (e.g., for the transmitting and / or receiving of power and / or data, and the like). For example, the one or more user input devices may include components to manually and / or electrically control the control mechanisms 210, 211 to adjust the position of the actuation elements 200. 25 The control system 212 may include one or more transmitters and / or receivers 224 coupled (e.g., physically coupled, electrically coupled, communicatively coupled, or the like) to or integrated in the one or more control units 216, the treatment tank 102, and / or the subassemblies and / or components of the treatment tank 102. The one or more transmitters and / or receivers 224 may be configured to transmit data and / or receive data for the treatment tank 102 and / or the 30 subassemblies and / or components of the treatment tank 102 (e.g., from sensors 214 installed within or associated with the treatment tank 102 and / or the subassemblies and / or components of the CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 19 treatment tank 102) or from external third-party control units (e.g., controllers, servers, or the like) either via wired connections or wireless connections, which may be configured as transmitting (Tx) units, receiving (Rx) units, or combination Tx / Rx units. The control system 212 may be configured to monitor the treatment tank 102 and / or the subassemblies and / or components of the treatment tank 102 via received 5 and / or transmitted data. The control system 212 may be configured to generate control signals to adjust one or more components of the treatment tank 102 and / or the subassemblies and / or components of the treatment tank 102 via a feedback loop or a feed forward loop based on the received and / or transmitted data, either automatically or following an input from a user. The control system 212 10 may be configured to receive and / or transmit data in a standardized format and / or a nonstandardized format. Where the data is in a non-standardized format, the data may be converted to a standardized format upon receipt and / or prior to transmission to sensors, third-party control units, or the like. It should be understood that the treatment system 100 may include non-transitory 15 computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when read by at least one microprocessor, cause the at least one microprocessor to perform the operations as substantially described herein. In this regard, at least a portion of the disclosure may be understood as being directed to a computer-implemented method, as at least a portion of the disclosure may be understood as being directed to a computer-implemented invention. 20 Although embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to automatic and / or manual means of operation of the actuation elements 200, 201 by the respective control mechanisms 210, 211, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to these active means of control. In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure are also directed to passive means of control of the actuation elements 200, 201, including by forces associated with flow-induced head 25 loss, buoyancy forces, or other means not requiring actuation by operator or controller. In general, the actuation elements 200, 201 may be operated by any number of combined active (e.g., automated and / or manual) means of control or passive means of control, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 illustrates an example of the treatment system 100 with treatment tank 102 including 30 controlled flow baffles 310 (which are the same as or similar to controlled flow baffles 114), where the treatment system 100 is operable to perform a wastewater treatment process 300, in accordance CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 20 with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, Fig. 3 illustrates a fivestage Bardenpho treatment process 300, which is a biological nutrient removal (BNR) system with five distinct stages that each provide specific conditions to encourage a desired microbial activity for nutrient removal. In embodiments, the five-stage Bardenpho treatment process 5 300 includes an anaerobic stage 302, two anoxic stages 304, and two aerobic stages 306. Adjacent zones 308 are separated by the controlled flow baffles 310. It should be understood that the zones 308 and the zones 112 may be considered equivalent and interchangeable, and that the controlled flow baffles 310 and the controlled flow baffles 114 as described herein may be considered interchangeable, without 10 departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Influent (e.g., the inlet flow of water or wastewater) enters, via an inlet 108, into a first zone 308A that includes an anaerobic stage 302. In the first zone 308A and the anaerobic stage 302, bacteria release phosphorus from cells due to lack of oxygen and create a phosphorus-rich fluid. 15 A first controlled flow baffle 310A separates the first zone 308A and a second zone 308B including a first anoxic process 304. The first anoxic process 304 in the second zone 308B includes a low-oxygen environment where denitrifying bacteria use the released phosphorus as an electron donor to remove nitrate. A second controlled flow baffle 310B separates the second zone 308B and a third zone 20 308C including a first aerobic process 306. The first aerobic process 306 is a fully aerated stage where bacteria oxidize organic matter and simultaneously converts ammonia to nitrite and nitrate. Optionally, an internal recycling step can occur from the third zone 308C and the second zone 308B, including to remove the formed nitrite and / or nitrate. A third controlled flow baffle 310C separates the third zone 308C and a fourth zone 308D 25 including a second anoxic process 304. The second anoxic process 304 is a low-oxygen zone where the previously-produced nitrate is converted to nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria. Optionally, carbon (e.g., in the form of methanol) may be supplied in the fourth zone 308D is assist in the conversion process. A fourth controlled flow baffle 310D separates the fourth zone 308D and a fifth zone 308E 30 including a second aerobic process 306. The second aerobic process 306 is another aeration stage CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 21 to ensure complete oxidation of organic matter and further nutrient removal. The resultant treated wastewater exits the treatment tank 102 via the outlet 110. After exiting the treatment tank 102, the treated wastewater may be processed in a clarifier. Optionally, a portion of the treated wastewater that is waste-activated sludge (WAS) may be removed from the clarifier, and / or a portion of the treated wastewater that 5 is return-activated sludge (RAS) may be sent back from the clarifier to mix with the influent to make another pass through the treatment tank 102 and the five-stage Bardenpho treatment process 300 performed therein. The remainder of the treated wastewater that is not WAS or RAS exits the clarifier as effluent. By controlling the oxygen levels in each stage, the five-stage Bardenpho treatment process 10 300 efficiently removes both nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater. While the five-stage Bardenpho treatment process 300 can require multiple tanks to isolate the different zones (and specific oxygen contents therein), it is possible to instead perform the stages of the five-stage Bardenpho treatment process 300 in zones 308A, 308B, 308C, 308D, 308E separated by controlled flow baffles 310A, 310B, 310C, 310D. 15 Although not shown, it should be understood that the wastewater flows over the controlled flow baffles 310, and additionally optionally through openings or ports 204 (not shown) within the controlled flow baffles 310. To further increase the efficiency of the treatment process 300, adjusting the position of the actuation elements 200 (not shown) in one or more of the controlled flow baffles 310A, 310B, 310C, 310D allows for the maintaining of a controlled weir crest for the 20 wastewater which passes between the adjacent zones 308A, 308B, 308C, 308D, 308E over the controlled flow baffles 310A, 310B, 310C, 310D. It is noted that some benefits of maintaining a controlled weir crest between the upstream and downstream sides of a zone partition in a fivestage Bardenpho activated sludge reactor configuration include preventing the accumulation or trapping of floating material, and preventing back mixing (e.g., between an aerated zone and an 25 upstream unaerated zone). Fig. 4 illustrates an example of the treatment system 100 with treatment tank 102 including controlled flow baffles 412 (which are the same as or similar to controlled flow baffles 114), where the treatment system 100 is operable to perform a wastewater treatment process 400, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, Fig. 4 illustrates an 30 oxidation ditch or closed loop reactor treatment process 400. CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 22 In embodiments, the oxidation ditch or closed loop reactor 400 includes one or more anaerobic stages 402, one or more anaerobic / anoxic stages 404, one or more anoxic / oxic swing zone stages 406, and / or one or more oxic stages 408. In some configurations, the anaerobic / anoxic stages 404 may include vertical mixing systems such as compressed gas mixing, low-pressure air large bubble mixing, or other mixing systems that do not produce horizontal 5 flow conditions. In some configurations, the oxic stages 408 may include vertical mixing systems in addition to fine bubble diffused aeration systems. In embodiments, adjacent zones 410 are separated by the controlled flow baffles 412. It should be understood that the zones 410 and the zones 112 as described herein may be considered 10 interchangeable, and that the controlled flow baffles 412 and the controlled flow baffles 114 as described herein may be considered interchangeable, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Influent (e.g., the inlet flow of water or wastewater optionally combined with returnactivated sludge, or RAS) enters into an influent splitter box at an inlet 108 of the treatment tank 15 102. RAS enters an aerobic stage 402 in a zone 410A. The influent enters a first anaerobic / anoxic stage 404 in a zone 410B, which is separated from the zone 410A by a controlled flow baffle 412A. A second controlled flow baffle 412B separates the second zone 410B and a third zone 410C including a second anaerobic / anoxic stage 404. A third controlled flow baffle 412C separates the third zone 410C and a fourth zone 410D including a third anaerobic / anoxic stage 404. 20 A fourth controlled flow baffle 412D separates the fourth zone 410D and a fifth zone 410E including the anoxic / oxic swing zone stage 406. A fifth controlled flow baffle 412E separates the fifth zone 410E and a sixth zone 410F including a first oxic stage 408. A sixth controlled flow baffle 412F separates the sixth zone 410F and a seventh zone 410G including a second oxic stage 408. A seventh controlled flow baffle 412G separates the seventh 25 zone 410G and an eighth zone 410H including a third oxic stage 408. Optionally, internal recycling can occur from the eighth zone 410H through a divider 414 within the treatment tank 102 into the zones 410B, 410C, and / or 410D including the first, second, and / or third anaerobic / anoxic stages 404 respectively. In some configurations, the eighth zone 410H and the first zone 410A are separated by a physical wall 416 (e.g., which may be a controlled flow baffle 412 that has the 30 actuation elements 200 (not shown) in a permanently shut or closed position). CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 23 The resultant treated wastewater exits the treatment tank 102 via the outlet 110 (e.g., a weir box). After exiting the treatment tank 102, the treated wastewater may be processed in a clarifier. Optionally, a portion of the treated wastewater that is waste-activated sludge (WAS) may be removed from the eighth zone 410H, and / or a portion of the treated wastewater that is returnactivated sludge (RAS) may be sent back (e.g., from the clarifier) to mix 5 with the influent to make another pass through the treatment tank 102 and the oxidation ditch or closed loop reactor treatment process 400 performed therein. The remainder of the treated wastewater that is not WAS or RAS exits the clarifier as effluent. While the oxidation closed loop reactor treatment process 400 can require multiple tanks 10 to isolate the different zones (and specific oxygen contents therein), it is possible to instead perform the stages of the oxidation ditch or closed loop reactor treatment process 400 in zones 410A, 410B, 410C, 410D, 410E, 410F, 410G, 410H separated by controlled flow baffles 412A, 412B, 412C, 412D, 412E, 412F, 412G. Although not shown, it should be understood that the wastewater flows over the controlled 15 flow baffles 412, and additionally optionally through openings or ports 204 (not shown) within the controlled flow baffles 412. To further increase the efficiency of the oxidation ditch or closed loop reactor treatment process 400, operating actuation elements 200 (not shown) in one or more of the controlled flow baffles 412A, 412B, 412C, 412D, 412E, 412F, 412G allows for the maintaining of a controlled weir crest for the wastewater passes between the adjacent zones 410A, 410B, 410C, 20 410D, 410E, 410F, 410G, 410H over the controlled flow baffles 412A, 412B, 412C, 412D, 412E, 412F, 412G. It is noted that some benefits of maintaining a relatively constant and appropriate weir crest (or drop) between the upstream and downstream sides of a zone partition in an oxidation ditch activated sludge reactor configuration include preventing the accumulation or trapping of floating material and to prevent back mixing (e.g., between an aerated zone and an upstream 25 unaerated zone). Fig. 5 illustrates an example of the treatment system 100 with treatment tank 102 including controlled flow baffles 504 (which are the same as or similar to controlled flow baffles 114), where the treatment system 100 is operable to perform a water treatment process 500, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 30 In embodiments, the treatment process 500 includes adjacent zones 502 separated by the controlled flow baffles 504. It should be understood that the zones 502 and the zones 112 may be CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 24 considered equivalent and interchangeable, and that the controlled flow baffles 504 and the controlled flow baffles 114 as described herein may be considered interchangeable, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Influent (e.g., the inlet flow of water or wastewater) enters, via an inlet 108, into a first zone 502A. For example, the influent may be coagulated influent prior 5 to entry into a first flocculation stage 506 in a first zone 502A. A first controlled flow baffle 542A separates the first zone 502A and a second zone 502B, which includes a second flocculation stage 506. In addition, a second controlled flow baffle 504B separates the second zone 502B and a third zone 502C, which includes a third flocculation stage 10 506. Further, a third controlled flow baffle 504C separates the third zone 502C and a fourth zone 502D. In some configurations, the fourth zone 502D optionally includes a sedimentation stage 508. The resultant treated water exits the treatment tank 102 via the outlet 110. The treated water is typically further treated using a solids separations or filtration process prior to other potable 15 water related post processing. While the treatment process 500 can require multiple tanks to isolate the different zones, it is possible to instead perform the stages of the treatment process 500 in zones 502A, 502B, 502C, 502D separated by controlled flow baffles 504A, 504B, 504C. Although not shown, it should be understood that the water flows over the controlled flow 20 baffles 504, and additionally optionally through openings or ports 204 (not shown) within the controlled flow baffles 504. To further increase the efficiency of the treatment process 500, adjusting the position of the actuation elements 200, 201 (not shown) in one or more of the controlled flow baffles 504A, 504B, 504C allows for the maintaining of a controlled weir crest for the wastewater which passes between the adjacent zones 502A, 502B, 502C, 502D over the 25 controlled flow baffles 504A, 504B, 504C. Fig. 6 is a flow diagram of a method or process 600 illustrating a method of using controlled flow baffles 114 within a treatment tank 102, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. While a general order for the actions of the method or process 600 is shown in Fig. 6, the method or process 600 can include more or fewer actions or can arrange the order of 30 the actions differently (including simultaneously, substantially simultaneously, or sequentially) than those shown in Fig. 6. It is noted that the method or process 600 shall be explained with CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 25 reference to the components, devices, subassemblies, environments, etc. described in conjunction with Figs. 1-5. For example, it is noted that the embodiments as illustrated in Figs. 1-5 should be understood as reading on the embodiments described with respect to Fig. 6, and vice versa, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, a controlled flow baffles for a treatment 5 tank are provided 602. The treatment tank 102 includes a plurality of controlled flow baffles 114 that separate the cavity 106 defined within the treatment tank 102 into a plurality of zones 112. In some configurations, the controlled flow baffles 114 can include actuation elements 200 that increase or decrease a size of an opening 204 within the particular controlled flow baffle 114. In other configurations, the 10 controlled flow baffles 114 can include actuation elements 201, alternatively or in addition to the actuation elements 200, that adjust the height of a weir relative to the liquid surface. In embodiments, water or wastewater is received 604. For example, water or wastewater in need of treatment may enter into a first zone 112 of a treatment tank 102 via an inlet 108, which is either a pre-treatment stage or includes the first stage of a treatment process performed within 15 the treatment tank 102. In embodiments, the water or wastewater is passed 606 through stages of a treatment process. The water or wastewater passes over successive controlled flow baffles 114 between adjacent zones 112, and is subjected to a particular stage of the treatment process within each particular zone 112. Optionally, the water or wastewater flows through openings within respective 20 controlled flow baffles 114 between adjacent zones 112, where actuation elements 200 within the respective controlled flow baffles 114 are open. In embodiments, a weir crest of the water or wastewater is monitored 608. The weir crest is above-surface, passing over the controlled flow baffles 114, while the actuation elements 200 are subsurface or below-surface and / or the actuation elements 201 are proximate to the liquid 25 surface. Data from sensors 214 may be provided to a control unit 216 of a control system 212, to assist in monitoring an elevation of the weir crest over the controlled flow baffles 114. When the weir crest is not at a pre-determined threshold (or within a range of pre-determined thresholds), a user may actively and manually adjust the actuation elements 200 and / or 201 of one or more of the controlled flow baffles 114. Alternatively or in addition, when the weir crest is not at a pre30 determined threshold (or within a range of pre-determined thresholds), the control unit 216 may actively and automatically adjust the actuation elements 200 and / or 201 of one or more of the CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 26 controlled flow baffles 114. Further, when the weir crest is not at a pre-determined threshold (or within a range of pre-determined thresholds), the actuation elements 200 and / or 201 may be passively adjusted by forces associated with flow-induced head loss, buoyancy forces, or other means not requiring actuation by operator or controller. It is noted that any combination of passive and active (e.g., automatic and / or manual) adjustments may occur, 5 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, if the weir crest exceeds a pre-determined threshold, the actuation elements 200 may be adjusted (or opened) 610 to increase the size of the openings or ports 204 in the controlled flow baffle subsurface and reduce the weir crest elevation. By way of another example, 10 if the weir crest is below a pre-determined threshold, the actuation elements 200 may be closed 612 (or adjusted) to decrease the size of the openings or ports 204 in the controlled flow baffle subsurface and increase the weir crest elevation. By way of another example, a height of a surface weir may be adjusted 614 (e.g., through actuation of the actuation element 201) to increase or reduce the weir crest 206 for the particular controlled flow baffle 114 to be above, at, or below the 15 elevation of the liquid surface. It is noted that some combination of the adjusting 610, 612, 614 may occur, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, treated water or wastewater is provided 616. Following passage through the treatment tank 102 and the stages of the treatment process performed within the treatment tank 102, the treated water or wastewater exits the treatment tank 102 via the outlet 110. 20 Advantages of the present disclosure include controlled flow baffles for a treatment tank. The treatment tank receives water or wastewater in need of treatment, and outputs treated water or wastewater. During treatment, the received water or wastewater is subjected to one or more stages of a water or wastewater treatment process within the treatment tank. The treatment tank includes zones defined by the controlled flow baffles, where the various stages of the water or wastewater 25 treatment process are isolated to one or more defined zones. To maintain a desired (e.g., controlled) weir crest over the controlled flow baffles, the controlled flow baffles include actuation elements that may be actuated to open and close openings within the controlled flow baffles. The actuation elements are driven by a control mechanism, in response to manual and / or automatic controls from a control system. 30 In this regard, the treatment tank with controlled flow baffles provides an improved way to ensure proper fluid flow characteristics through the various stages of a treatment process in zones CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 27 defined within a treatment tank. Where the above-surface weir crest is too low or too high or otherwise not at the desired elevation, actuation elements subsurface or below surface may be adjusted to modify the above-surface weir crest elevation. The adjustment may occur manually by a user, and / or automatically by a control unit, including based on data received from sensors of a 5 control system. While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, as set forth in the following claims. Further, the invention(s) 10 described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18

Claims

28 CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A controlled flow baffle in a treatment tank for water or wastewater treatment, the controlled flow baffle comprising: an opening defined within a surface of the controlled flow baffle, 5 the opening operable to allow water or wastewater to flow between adjacent zones defined by the controlled flow baffle in the treatment tank; and an actuation element able to adjust a size of the opening, wherein increasing the size of the opening by actuating the actuation element increases a 10 flow of the water or wastewater through the opening and decreases an elevation of a weir crest of the water or wastewater flowing over the controlled flow baffle, and wherein decreasing the size of the opening by actuating the actuation element decreases the flow of the water or wastewater through the opening and increases an elevation of the weir crest of the water or wastewater flowing over the controlled flow baffle. 15 2. The controlled flow baffle of claim 1, wherein the actuation element is controlled through electronic actuation of a servo coupled to the actuation element.

3. The controlled flow baffle of claim 2, wherein the servo is in communication with 20 a control unit of a control system.

4. The controlled flow baffle of claim 3, wherein the servo is automatically operated by the control unit of the control system in response to data received from sensors in the treatment tank. 25 5. The controlled flow baffle of claim 3, wherein the servo is operated following a user input to the control system by a user.

6. The controlled flow baffle of claim 1, wherein the actuation element is controlled 30 through actuation of mechanical assemblies coupled to the actuation element. CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 29 7. The controlled flow baffle of claim 6, wherein the actuation of the mechanical assemblies is automatically operated by a control unit of a control system.

8. The controlled flow baffle of claim 6, wherein the actuation of the mechanical assemblies 5 is manually operated by a user.

9. The controlled flow baffle of claim 1, wherein the actuation element is passively controlled by forces associated with flow-induced head loss, buoyancy forces, or other means not requiring actuation by operator or controller. 10 10. The controlled flow baffle of claim 1, further comprising: an actuation element positioned proximate to a top edge or surface of the controlled flow baffle for increasing or reducing a weir crest for the controlled flow baffle to above, at, or below the elevation of the liquid surface. 15 11. A treatment system for water or wastewater treatment, the treatment system comprising: a treatment tank, comprising: an inlet able to receive water or wastewater in need of treatment; 20 an outlet able to provide treated water or wastewater; and a controlled flow baffle between the inlet and the outlet, the controlled flow baffle comprising: an opening defined within a surface of the controlled flow baffle, the opening operable to allow received water or wastewater to flow between adjacent 25 zones defined by the controlled flow baffle in the treatment tank; and an actuation element able to adjust a size of the opening, wherein increasing the size of the opening by actuating the actuation element increases a flow of the received water or wastewater through the opening and decreases an elevation of a weir crest of the water or wastewater flowing over the controlled flow baffle, 30 and CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 30 wherein decreasing the size of the opening by actuating the actuation element decreases the flow of the received water or wastewater through the opening and increases an elevation of the weir crest of the water or wastewater flowing over the controlled flow baffle. 5 12. The treatment system of claim 11, further comprising: a control system operable to control the actuation element to adjust the size of the opening, wherein the control system includes a control unit in communication with a servo coupled to the actuation element. 10 13. The treatment system of claim 12, further comprising: a sensor within the treatment tank to monitor operational parameters within the treatment tank, wherein data from the sensors is provided to the control unit of the control system.

14. The treatment system of claim 13, wherein, based on the 15 data from the sensor, the control unit automatically controls a position of the actuation element via control of the servo.

15. The treatment system of claim 12, wherein the servo is operated following a user input to the control system by a user. 20 16. The treatment system of claim 11, wherein the actuation element is controlled through actuation of mechanical assemblies coupled to the actuation element.

17. The treatment system of claim 16, wherein the actuation of the mechanical 25 assemblies is automatically operated by a control unit of a control system.

18. The treatment system of claim 16, wherein the actuation of the mechanical assemblies is manually operated by a user. CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 31 19. The treatment system of claim 11, wherein the actuation element is passively controlled by forces associated with flow-induced head loss, buoyancy forces, or other means not requiring actuation by operator or controller.

20. The treatment system of claim 1, wherein the controlled 5 flow baffle further comprises: an actuation element positioned proximate to a top edge or surface of the controlled flow baffle for increasing or reducing a weir crest for the controlled flow baffle to above, at, or below the elevation of the liquid surface. 10 21. A method, comprising: providing a treatment tank for water or wastewater treatment, wherein the treatment tank includes a controlled flow baffle; receiving water or wastewater in need of treatment within the treatment tank; 15 passing the water or wastewater through stages of a treatment process; monitoring a weir crest of the water or wastewater flowing over the controlled flow baffle; and providing treated water or wastewater from the treatment tank. 20 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: increasing a size of an opening in a surface of the controlled flow baffle by adjusting an actuation element when an elevation of the weir crest exceeds a pre-determined threshold, to decrease the elevation of the weir crest. 25 23. The method of claim 21, further comprising: decreasing a size of an opening in a surface of the controlled flow baffle by adjusting an actuation element when an elevation of the weir crest is below a pre-determined threshold, to increase the elevation of the weir crest. CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18 32 24. The method of claim 21, further comprising: adjusting a height of a surface weir by adjusting an actuation element when an elevation of the weir crest is below a pre-determined threshold or exceeds a pre-determined threshold.

25. The method of one of claims 22-24, wherein the adjusting 5 of the actuation element is automatically performed by a control unit in communication with a servo coupled to the actuation element based on data received from sensors that monitor the weir crest over the controlled flow baffle. 10 26. The method of one of claims 22-24, wherein the adjusting of the actuation element is passively controlled by forces associated with flow-induced head loss, buoyancy forces, or other means not requiring actuation by operator or controller. CA 3305363 Date reçue / Received date 2026-03-18