A Natural Approach A Natural Approach to the Treatment of to the Treatment of

EffluentEffluent

A Natural Approach A Natural Approach to the Treatment of to the Treatment of

EffluentEffluent

Effluent leaving the house encompasses fresh water and organic matter. This can be broken into two categories:

1. Black water - high solids (bio-solids from toilet, food scraps from kitchen) /Low volume liquids.

2. Grey water - low solids (hair, lint, body fats, skin) / High volume liquids.

Effluent leaving the house encompasses fresh water and organic matter. This can be broken into two categories:

1. Black water - high solids (bio-solids from toilet, food scraps from kitchen) /Low volume liquids.

2. Grey water - low solids (hair, lint, body fats, skin) / High volume liquids.

What is Effluent ?

It would seem It would seem logical that these logical that these two flows require two flows require

two different two different treatment treatment processes:processes:

* Commonly the two * Commonly the two flows are connected at flows are connected at the source – this the source – this compounds the problem compounds the problem creating a homogenous creating a homogenous mix that requires mix that requires additional treatment.additional treatment.* Surge loads from baths * Surge loads from baths & w/m’s also increase the & w/m’s also increase the load on the system’s load on the system’s performance.performance.

Common on-site treatment Common on-site treatment optionsoptions

Primary Treatment• Privy Pit- Compost• Composting System-Heat• Septic Tank- Anaerobic• Vermicomposting- Using worms Secondary Treatment• Home Treatment Plants;• AWTS- Aerobic- Blowers/power 24/7• Sand Filters• Textile FiltersTertiary Treatment• Chlorination• U/V• Ozone

Primary Treatment• Privy Pit- Compost• Composting System-Heat• Septic Tank- Anaerobic• Vermicomposting- Using worms Secondary Treatment• Home Treatment Plants;• AWTS- Aerobic- Blowers/power 24/7• Sand Filters• Textile FiltersTertiary Treatment• Chlorination• U/V• Ozone

Composting: an aerobic process that uses heat.Composting: an aerobic process that uses heat.Advantages

Cost effective

Converts bio-mass into fertiliser

Locatable under the dwelling

No water Consumption

Disadvantages

High maintenance

Can Smell

Typical Output Range

(Leach ate)

BOD5 250+ gO/m3

TSS 80+ g/m3

Advantages

Cost effective

Converts bio-mass into fertiliser

Locatable under the dwelling

No water Consumption

Disadvantages

High maintenance

Can Smell

Typical Output Range

(Leach ate)

BOD5 250+ gO/m3

TSS 80+ g/m3

Septic Tanks: A process using anaerobic bacteria.

Septic Tanks: A process using anaerobic bacteria.

Floatable (scum)

“Clear Zone”

Heavy material sinks (sludge)

Airspace Flow Plate

Advantages

•Cost effective.

Disadvantages

•Putrefies the liquid

•Smells

•Surge loads carry nutrients

•Requires contents to be removed off-site

•Requires major earth works to install large tanks

Typical Output Range

(With Outlet Filter)

BOD5 50-250 gO/m3

TSS 50-150 + g/m3

Advantages

•Cost effective.

Disadvantages

•Putrefies the liquid

•Smells

•Surge loads carry nutrients

•Requires contents to be removed off-site

•Requires major earth works to install large tanks

Typical Output Range

(With Outlet Filter)

BOD5 50-250 gO/m3

TSS 50-150 + g/m3

Package PlantsPackage Plants AWTS- Aerated Water Treatment Systems Primary Septic Tanks with Sand Filters Primary Septic Tanks with Textile Filers

All the above require; require external power 24/7. Maintenance contracts- external dependency for supply Replacement of wearing parts Sucker truck- empty primary solids every 3years Which in-turn is disposed of where?

Being responsible for our resources:Being responsible for our resources:

•There is no such thing as “waste water”•It is our responsibility to restore “used water” to a quality that is safe for the environment.• It is also more sustainable (where possible) to minimise dependency on active systems e.g. electric pumps, suction trucks etc..

•There is no such thing as “waste water”•It is our responsibility to restore “used water” to a quality that is safe for the environment.• It is also more sustainable (where possible) to minimise dependency on active systems e.g. electric pumps, suction trucks etc..

The challenge is to create a sustainable

interface between our current effluent disposal

practices and our environment

The challenge is to create a sustainable

interface between our current effluent disposal

practices and our environment

The The Solution Solution

is Simple:is Simple:

Look at how natural ecosystems process by-products or effluent…

Look at how natural ecosystems process by-products or effluent…

plantsplants

soilsoil

waterwater

food food All decaying All decaying organic compoundsorganic compounds

1.1. Food SourceFood Source – animal faeces, carcasses, leaves are – animal faeces, carcasses, leaves are all compost ... all compost ...

2.2. Worms and micro organismsWorms and micro organisms - feed on compost - feed on compost and convert it into soils.and convert it into soils.

3.3. Soil and rockSoil and rock – home for organisms which feed – home for organisms which feed and convert the nutrients and waterand convert the nutrients and water

4.4. PlantsPlants – also live in the soil which take up water – also live in the soil which take up water and nutrients used for transpiration and growth and nutrients used for transpiration and growth

5.5. GravityGravity - returns excess water to the sea which in - returns excess water to the sea which in turn evaporates back into the atmosphere turn evaporates back into the atmosphere completing the hydro-cyclecompleting the hydro-cycle

1.1. Food SourceFood Source – animal faeces, carcasses, leaves are – animal faeces, carcasses, leaves are all compost ... all compost ...

2.2. Worms and micro organismsWorms and micro organisms - feed on compost - feed on compost and convert it into soils.and convert it into soils.

3.3. Soil and rockSoil and rock – home for organisms which feed – home for organisms which feed and convert the nutrients and waterand convert the nutrients and water

4.4. PlantsPlants – also live in the soil which take up water – also live in the soil which take up water and nutrients used for transpiration and growth and nutrients used for transpiration and growth

5.5. GravityGravity - returns excess water to the sea which in - returns excess water to the sea which in turn evaporates back into the atmosphere turn evaporates back into the atmosphere completing the hydro-cyclecompleting the hydro-cycle

An Ecosystem is a Closed LoopAn Ecosystem is a Closed Loop(No “WASTES”)(No “WASTES”)

A diverse ecosystem of

plants, animals,

fertile soil, clean water

and thus a healthy

planet

A diverse ecosystem of

plants, animals,

fertile soil, clean water

and thus a healthy

planet

Finished Finished product:product:

We are part of the We are part of the ecosystem too…ecosystem too…

•Each species has a specific role and Each species has a specific role and place within the eco-system: their place within the eco-system: their niche!niche!•If we work If we work withwith nature… nature…•Nature will work for us.Nature will work for us.•We can nurture species by We can nurture species by maintaining their niche… maintaining their niche…

The AutoFlow System;Primary

Treatment for Solids:

The AutoFlow System;Primary

Treatment for Solids:

Vermicomposting: an aerobic process, employing worms and

micro-organisms.

Vermicomposting: an aerobic process, employing worms and

micro-organisms.

Advantages:Cost effectiveConverts bio-mass into fertiliserSmall footprint - locatable under the dwellingMinimal odor

DisadvantagesSeparate black and grey water flows

Typical Output RangeBOD5 4-50 gO/m3TSS 4-50 g/m3

Advantages:Cost effectiveConverts bio-mass into fertiliserSmall footprint - locatable under the dwellingMinimal odor

DisadvantagesSeparate black and grey water flows

Typical Output RangeBOD5 4-50 gO/m3TSS 4-50 g/m3

Compost Worms will consume at least half their own body weight a

day!

Compost Worms will consume at least half their own body weight a

day!

The Bag SystemThe Bag System

Primary Treatment for liquids…

Primary Treatment for liquids…

The Grey water filterThe Grey water filter The Grey water filterThe Grey water filter

AdvantagesAdvantages

Cost effective.Cost effective.

Converts bio-mass into Converts bio-mass into fertiliserfertiliser

Locatable under the Locatable under the dwellingdwelling

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

????

Typical Output RangeTypical Output Range

BODBOD55 4-50 gO/m 4-50 gO/m33

TSS 4-50 g/mTSS 4-50 g/m33An aerobic process An aerobic process that screens gross that screens gross solids and captures solids and captures soluble material,soluble material,ie, soap and body ie, soap and body fats.fats.

Secondary Treatment

for Liquids…

The Dosing SiphonThe Dosing Siphon• The heart of the

system• No moving parts• No small orifices to

block• Well proven and

reliable• When used in

conjunction with a media of high surface area the dosing container becomes a…

• The heart of the system

• No moving parts• No small orifices to

block• Well proven and

reliable• When used in

conjunction with a media of high surface area the dosing container becomes a…

•During the dose cycle, oxygen is During the dose cycle, oxygen is drawn into the media and captured drawn into the media and captured gases are released from the media gases are released from the media pores.pores.•Organic material hangs on the Organic material hangs on the surface and is consumed.surface and is consumed.•Small footprintSmall footprint•Easy to retro fit any system (fall Easy to retro fit any system (fall away from the B/R is required)away from the B/R is required)

Batch ReactorBatch Reactor

Surface area is the Surface area is the KeyKey

• Almost any media is suitable for growing Almost any media is suitable for growing microbes.microbes.

• The higher the surface area the greater the The higher the surface area the greater the number of micro-organisms developed.number of micro-organisms developed.

• Mordenite and Zeolites have the greatest Mordenite and Zeolites have the greatest surface area.surface area.

• Dosing has now become mandatory throughout most NZ Councils.

The Soil Type dictates the approach:• Clay soils require large areas for dispersal.• Sand/free draining areas require a high quality of

treatment prior to dispersal.• Evapo-transpiration increases the uptake rate in all

situations.• Application is usually applied below ground level via

either, a low pressure pipe (LPP) distribution network or RAAM pressure compensating drip irrigation.

• Dosing has now become mandatory throughout most NZ Councils.

The Soil Type dictates the approach:• Clay soils require large areas for dispersal.• Sand/free draining areas require a high quality of

treatment prior to dispersal.• Evapo-transpiration increases the uptake rate in all

situations.• Application is usually applied below ground level via

either, a low pressure pipe (LPP) distribution network or RAAM pressure compensating drip irrigation.

Application to LandApplication to Land

Low pressure pipe (LPP) is an Low pressure pipe (LPP) is an effective and sustainable way to effective and sustainable way to achieve effective dispersion and achieve effective dispersion and

minimise local saturationminimise local saturation

An Evapo-transpiration An Evapo-transpiration FieldField

The Vertical Flow The Vertical Flow Contact Filter Contact Filter

(VFCF)(VFCF)

Dosing maintains a moist environment, essential for maintaining life. It also distributes the effluent across the entire bed.

Effluent is dosed over a free draining bed of media.

The top soil layer is heavily planted which supports the soil dwellers and draws oxygen into the media.