In most
wastewater systems, slight fluctuations in chemical oxygen demand (COD) are typical. Manufacturing
plants can see more significant spikes in COD during production line changes
and sanitation cycles. For municipalities, they often follow a heavy rainfall. In the case of an anaerobic digester, it
could be the introduction of new feedstocks.
Microorganisms
are used to break down organic matter (COD) and clean up waste streams. When the system is operating under designed load
parameters, treatment is consistent, but if any notable event — such as a raw
milk spill inside a dairy, can be disastrous. Overloading a system with excessive amounts
of COD or fats, oils and grease (FOG) changes the food-to-mass and nutrient ratios and D.O. among others,
upsetting the microbiological community.
In many cases, unwanted members will proliferate. Outcasts like filamentous bacteria can promote
excessive foaming, sludge bulking and cloudy effluent, ultimately causing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit violations.
To
become a Wastewater Treatment Superstar, a facility would need to monitor and manage
these ebbs and flows 24/7. Constantly
tracking and adjusting to contaminant level changes is expensive in terms of capital,
man hours, chemical costs, city surcharges and even fines.
Why
not consider investing in a money-saving bioaugmentation insurance policy with
BIOACTIV-8-OR™?
Bioaugmentation is a practice that uses bacillus
bacteria to cultivate a healthy biological system for the purpose of
biodegrading (digesting) specific contaminants in a way that is never
compromised. In some cases, these communities of bacillus bacteria can reduce
or even eliminate chemicals needed for treatment.
The
following are five ways in which bioaugmentation using BIOACTIV-8-OR™ can be a game-changer for wastewater
management:
1. Feeding on COD. Bacteria feed on organic substances, ammonia,
phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients that are strictly regulated to protect
freshwater sources and human health. While there are naturally-occurring
bacteria in wastewater, unique strains of bacillus produce enzymes that break
down organic particles faster, making it easier for that pre-existing bacteria
to do their job. BIOACTIV-8-OR™ bioaugmentation products are scientifically-selected-specific strains of
bacillus that can be added to address conditions related to cold weather,
ammonia, FOG, paper fibers and petroleum.
2.
Weeding out the crowd. Scientifically selected BIOACTIV-8-OR™ bioaugmentation
products include strains of bacillus that inhibit the overabundance of troublesome
bacteria. For example, filamentous bacteria are helpful in small numbers because
they intertwine to form a support structure for other bacteria. But, they can
quickly dominate a system in a weed-like fashion if physical or chemical
changes are made to the wastewater process. If left uncontrolled, they can
cause issues with sludge settling, bulking, and foaming.
3.
Making “sick” systems whole again (quickly). The biological community that lives
inside wastewater is a living thing. It can grow, shrink, get sick, and die. Bioaugmentation
with BIOACTIV-8-OR™ provides
the ability to eliminate or reduce the time normally needed for bacteria to
grow and a system to recover from low volumes of BODs by quickly introducing
six to eight bacillus bacteria strains that remove oil, grease, fat, and other
contaminants. Bacillus bacteria also can be selected based on its ability to
convert BODs at very cold temperatures.
4.
Saving you money. Sludge volume is a big concern for
most wastewater treatment facilities. If digestion is incomplete it will be
difficult to dewater and more sludge will need to be hauled. If there are settling issues, wastewater itself
may need to be hauled away. If treatment
problems exist at a facility that is discharging to a municipality, surcharges
will increase. Facilities discharging to
surface water may be fined or even shut down if strict regulatory requirements
are not me. BIOACTIV-8-OR™ bioaugmentation products, when applied properly, are capable of
mitigating many of these concerns.
5.
Solving nutrient deficiencies. Bioaugmentation requires due
diligence on the front end to determine which bacteria will be best for an
individual system. Water treatment consultants conduct onsite testing with
bacillus strains to measure for ammonia, nitrate, alkalinity, pH, temperature
and more. This process determines the nutrients that need to be broken down,
but it also uncovers nutrient deficiencies. BIOACTIV-8-OR™ bacillus products contain micronutrients
that enhance the overall nutrients that are added to the system.
Protecting
the environment as economically as possible is the bottom line. Enhancing your peace of mind by ensuring your
system can handle whatever contaminants your facility puts through it. Contact
your Watertech of America water treatment consultant today to learn more about BIOACTIV-8-OR™ and ZYME-BAC™ line
of bioaugmentation products.
Our training center, Watertech University, is offering a special wastewater focused training on May 10, 2018. To learn more or register go to: WASTEWATER TRAINING - MAY 2018.