AERATION & FILTRATION

Summary

These WWTP plants combine the introduction of air to the wastewater treatment process with a filter to treat sewage and remove solids. The filters are usually of fabric based materials that last a long time but are subject to periodic clogging, and might cause sewage to rise out of the plant onto the surface. The effluent quality is interdependent with the cleanliness of the filter and therefore dependence on the frequency and quality of the maintenance.

Operation

These treatment plants are extended aeration plants combining the introduction of air with a filter to treat sewage and remove solids, the filters may be either a screen or sock-shaped type. These systems are operated by pumps sucking and pumping the liquids through the different stages and filters. The pumps submerged in the sewage are subject to more frequent failure and difficulty in replacing as there is direct contact with crude and untreated sewage.

The screen or sock-shaped type filters are usually of fabric based materials that last a long time but are subject to periodic clogging, and might cause sewage to rise out of the plant onto the surface.

The effluent quality is in direct relation with the cleanliness of the filter and therefore depends on the frequency of the maintenance to preempt the filter from clogging. Cleaning of the screen or sock-shaped type fabric filters require individuals to directly handle potentially dangerous and hazardous waste water. If not maintained correctly the increasing weight of the biomass building up on the filter, might cause this type of wastewater treatment plants to rupture.

Service/ Maintenance

The suppliers typically recommend: 

• Quarterly removal and cleaning of filter
• 6 month check of pumps
• Annual checking and servicing of pumps inside the sewage of the tank

Environmental Benefits

This type of wastewater treatment plant should be more ecologically friendly than a septic tank system, but this will depend on monitoring and maintenance. You could do better, considering the use of energy for the results achieved.

Conclusion

Often expensive and involved regular maintenance of these types of wastewater treatment plants in France, with highly variable results depending on usage and filter condition make this a potentially problematic choice. There are other types of wastewater treatment plants in France that offer more reliability for less cost.

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