What is the aim of today?
• Give an overview of wastewater microbiology
• Provide a case study showing microbiological succession
• Demonstrate how “bugs” can be used to understand a treatment process
• Get you all (well, some of you!) enthused about peering down a microscope
Dispersed Bacterial Growth
• Will result in:– Solids carry-over in effluent
• Can be caused by:– Toxic shock– Insufficient nutrients– High temperature– Low dissolved oxygen (DO)
Filamentous Bacteria Growth
• Will result in:– Poor sludge settlement– Solids carry-over in effluent
• Can be caused by:– Low dissolved oxygen (DO)– Greasy wastewater– Insufficient nutrients– Septic wastewater
Good Balance of Life
• Will result in:– Good sludge settlement– Low suspended solids in
effluent– Good nitrification
• Can be caused by:– “Correct” environment– Stable conditions