Microbial Monitoring of Biomass in Wastewater

Background

Western Water and Wannon Water are both participants in this project, which is looking at a technology that assesses the microbial profiling of wastewater.

Description of trial

Managing sludge age is a costly aspect of operating an activated sludge treatment plant.  The proposal is to investigate and implement alternative control measures other than conventional controls such as Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) or Mixed Liquor Volatile Suspended Solids (MLVSS.) by using cATP (cellular Adenosine Triphosphate).  The measurement of cATP concentration in a sample of MLSS provides a direct measurement of biological concentration and health. This will allow the treatment plant operators to target the preferred biomass and manage the process (including aeration control) to encourage the retention and growth of this biomass.

Current status of trial

Following a research and development visit to the USA and Canada, a business case/project outline is currently being prepared for the next stages of this project.