New advanced treatment units and new NSF certifications emerge every year, giving onsite installers more options in designing treatment systems for environmentally sensitive or other challenging sites. Here is a look at several innovations in aerobic treatment units and other innovative treatment systems.
Hybrid Process
The Bio-Brush from Aero-Stream LLC increases effluent treatment by introducing an attached growth process to the suspended growth process in aerobic Remediator units. Made of natural coir fibers, the product enhances aerobic performance and can be retrofitted to existing company systems. The new Aero-Stream Pro Line has an enhanced Bio-Brush system and 60 percent more treatment capacity than standard units. Florida and Massachusetts have granted product recognition to Aero-Stream. 877/254-7093; www.aero-stream.com.
Water Reuse System
The PuraMc, a compact membrane wastewater treatment system from Bord Na Mona Environmental Products, allows users to combine treated effluent with the company’s rainwater harvesting system. The reclaimed water is suitable for toilet flushing, irrigation and other nonpotable uses in single-family homes and community and commercial sectors.
The State of Oregon has approved the Puraflo peat fiber biofilter as an alternative treatment technology for Treatment Standard 1. Trumbull County, Ohio, approved the system as a stand-alone treatment unit and as an aerobic polishing filter that can replace sand filters. 800/787-2356; www.bnm-us.com.
Small Footprint
Used in spray disposal and drip irrigation systems, the compact AK6B3 all-in-one ATU package from AquaKlear Inc. measures 8 by 8.5 feet by 64 inches high in fiberglass and 6.5 by 11.5 feet by 64 inches high in concrete. The ANSI/NSF Standard 40 certified system includes a 500-gallon septic tank, 600-gpd ATU and 750-gallon dosing tank. 877/936-7711; www.aquaklear.net.
New to Product Line
Ecological Tanks Inc. added the AS500L series to its Aqua Safe line of aerobic treatment plants. These units are 16 inches shorter from the bottom of the tank to the flange than the 76-inch-tall original design. They have a 54-inch-tall inlet and EZ top-configured lids housing the aerator and control. The 20-inch risers over the inlet and clarifier provide easy access. The Aqua Safe model AS600+4NR and Aqua Aire model AA500-35NR are NSF Standard 40 and 245 certified. The latter confirms at least 50 percent total nitrogen reduction. 800/277-8179; www.etiaquasafe.com.
Monitors Chemical Levels
The ChemCheck chemical detection system from Norweco Inc. reduces the frequency of site visits by continually monitoring chemical tablet levels and sending a signal when the feed tube reaches a preset level. The unit installs in aerobic treatment systems or tablet feeders by securing two wires to a control panel. The device is compatible with Singulair Service Pro Control Center, NSF-monitoring systems, and any treatment train accepting signals from a normally closed 12-volt sensor. 800/667-9326; www.norweco.com.
Removes Phosphorous
The two-unit passive PhosRID system from Lombardo Associates Inc. reduces total phosphorus (TP) levels to less than 0.5 mg/l, while reducing nitrogen, BOD and TSS. The first unit contains the RID media; the second, a media polishing filter. Effluent is then discharged to a drainfield. The system requires little maintenance and produces no sludge, as the phosphorous becomes part of the media and is recoverable. Media should be replaced every 10 years.
Representative installations are three residential sites with septic tank and soil absorption bed in Nantucket, Mass. The design flows are 450 gpd and two 440 gpd, and effluent TP is less than 0.10 mg/l. A 2,500-gpd system was installed for an office building in New York state. 617/964-2924; www.lombardoassociates.com.
Low Profile, Quiet
The 46-inch-tall, shallow design PL-500 aerobic treatment unit from ProLine Wastewater Equipment LLC is suited for installations with high water tables or rock. The ANSI/NSF Standard 40-certified unit is quiet, as all mechanical components are submerged, and it has no air compressor. Effluent averages 11 mg/l BOD5 and 8 mg/l TSS. Alternate configurations can be built with 60- by 146- by 67-inch-wide or 60- by 147- by 68-inch-wide septic tank molds. 512/864-9002; www.prolinewastewater.com.
All-in-One Treatment
The Bionest Solo advanced secondary wastewater treatment system from Bionest Technologies Inc. treats residential flows from 400 to 1,500 gpd in a two-compartment tank. The primary settling section has an effluent filter. The reactor section has submerged fixed film, a linear air pump, fine-bubble air diffusers, and recirculation pump. The NSF/ANSI Standard 40 and 245 certified system produces clear, odorless effluent with CBOD5 averaging less than 4 mg/l and TSS less than 6 mg/l. The unit has a small footprint and requires minimal maintenance. The media never needs replacing. 819/538-5662; www.bionest.ca.
Less Installation Time
A below-ground wastewater treatment unit from Waterloo Biofilter Systems houses the filter media in a lightweight yet strong, high-density polyethylene septic tank with built-in pump chamber. Easy-to-maintain units in four sizes arrive pre-plumbed and ready to install. They can treat up to 1,050 gpd using trickling filter technology. 866/366-4329; www.waterloo-biofilter.com.
