FAQ’s about Bioaugmentation of Wastewater
Frequently asked questions about the bioaugmentation of wastewater.
Q. What is bioaugmentation?
A. Bioaugmentation is simply the addition of specifically selected microorganisms (mainly bacteria) to wastewater. When properly implemented bioaugmentation of wastewater will improve the performance of the plant.
Q. I’ve heard about using “bugs” and bioremediation but isn’t that just snake oil?
A. In the past, there were a lot of snake oil salesman peddling magic bacteria that could do wonderful things at treatment plant. Bioaugmentation companies had a reputation worse than that of a sleezy lawyer. The myth continue because treatment plant operators normally have a background in engineering, not biology. The wastewater engineers found very little math to evaluate wastewater treatment bacteria. So instead of bioaugmentation, most industrial and municipal wastewater treatment plants used polymers and chemicals to treat their wastewater problems.
Q. So what can bacteria and bioaugmentation really do?
A. First, its important to remember that bacteria are alive. They have certain nutrient requirement that they need to live, grow, and reproduce. Here’s a quick list of the most important parameters:
- Dissolved Oxygen – Greater than .5mg/L
- Temperature – 50-95 degrees F.
- pH 6-9
- Ammonia 1-3 mg/L
- Phosphate .5-2 mg/L
Yes, a wastewater treatment plant can operate out side of these parameters. This list is meant to be optimal.
Bioaugmentation of wastewater can greatly improve some wastewater treatment plants. However, bioaugmentation will have little benefit to plants with no wastewater problems.
Q. What are the typical uses of bioaugmentation?
A. While bioaugmentation is used to treat a wide variety of wastewater problems, we run into these problems the most.
- FOG problems – FOG in wastewater treatment plants, industrial plants, and lift station is the number one wastewater problem for bioaugmentation of wastewater.
- Wastewater Odor
- BOD/COD
- Petrochemicals and hydrocarbons
- H2S - Hydrogen sulfide odor problems
Q. How do I get more information about the bioaugmentation of wastewater?
A. Custom Biologicals has over twenty years experience with the bioaugmentation of wastewater. Custom manufacture F-TREAT, a bioremediation product, specifically for use at industrial wastewater, municipal wastewater, and lift stations. Custom can be reached at (561) 797-3008 or via email at Bill@Custombio.biz. Contact Custom for more information about using bioaugmentation to solve your tough wastewater problems.
