A ‘greener’ approach
SewTreat managing director and
spokesperson, Theunis Coetzer, adds
that biological wastewater treatment is
an accepted practice used worldwide.
The process involves confining
naturally occurring bacteria at a very
high concentration in the treatment
process, whether it is plastic type,
containerised type, or civil constructed
type. From here, this bacterium,
together with some protozoa and other
microbes (collectively referred to as
activated sludge), are treated in an
anaerobic and aerobic process. They
are then returned to the anaerobic
phase to eliminate sludge accumulation
and waste generation.
“In a nutshell, the bacteria digest
all impurities and the wastewater is
then cleansed. The treated wastewater
or effluent can then be discharged
to receiving waters — normally a
river or the sea — or alternatively
used for irrigation, flushing of toilets,
or general non-potable uses,” he
explains. “SewTreat has developed
a highly effective multiple strain
bacteria range that gets added to our
plants; this specifically-bred bacteria
feed on the complex substances in
the wastewater, converting them into
simpler substances, improving final
effluent on a reduced footprint.”
He notes that globally, the
composition of effluents discharged
to receiving waters is regulated by
the national environment agencies.
The legislation is concerned with the
prevention of pollution, and therefore
sets concentration limits on dissolved
organic carbon (as BOD or COD),
nitrogen, and phosphates, and other
compounds that cause eutrophication
in receiving waters. It also attempts
to limit the discharge of known toxic
Water Sewage & Effluent September/Oct ober 2017
27
to upgrade an existing plant to increase
capacity and efficiency than undertake
the expenses of a new plant.”
technologies will make them high-tech,
efficient, and sustainably safe,” he says.
“On a smaller scale, based on
the trickling filter technology, we
have smaller plants that are built into
containers, for use at a lodge, small
rural communities, a golf course, or
similar applications.” This is also ideal
for into-Africa projects and Braybrooke
assures that discharge standards are
met, along with a short turnaround time.
“It’s almost plug and play,” he says.
The expert is adamant that all water
types can be treated, from municipal
water to ultra-pure water used in
pharmaceutical applications and high-
pressure boilers.
There are a variety of water sources,
each with their own technology with
which to treat them, he says. “They
can be treated on site and the plants do
not have to be a greenfield expansion.
More so with urbanisation and its
increase in population within larger
cities, municipalities should rather look
Despite all the benefits to the economy of reused water, fear still exists around the various sources.