Wastewater treatment involves many processes which ultimately separate solids from clean(er) water.  The attached link provides a useful insight into the clarification process. ECOS Environmental Consultants Limited

Pin-floc in activated sludge may be defined as very fine floc particles with poor settling characteristics. Pin-floc/deflocculation may be assessed through visual observation: Carryover of very fine material in final effluent Turbid or milky appearance of final effluent Bacterial flocs have disintegrated into tiny ‘pinhead sized’ particles; Filaments not predominant (microscopic examination) Settleability test may...

Nitrification is the sequential conversion of ammonia to nitrite and ultimately nitrate: NH4+ + 1.5 O2 → NO2– + H2O + 2H+ Ammonia in wastewater could originate from a variety of sources, including: Proteins (meat and blood), urea, amino acid products, casein, corrosion inhibitors, process chemicals and raw materials or cleaning chemicals containing quaternary ammonium compounds....

The European Commission has lowered the fees and charges that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have to pay to register chemicals by 35% to 95% in relation to standard registration fees, and from 25% to 90% in relation to standard fees for authorisation requests. Registration makes companies responsible for the safe use of chemicals...

Biological foam is due to operating conditions in the wastewater treatment plant. It accumulates on the surface of the aeration basin and may carry over into the final clarifier and effluent discharge. The use of detergents also generates foam but the comments below relate solely to biological (bacterial) foams. Three types of biological foaming may...

The EPA have published their Strategic Plan for 2013 – 2015.  The plan sets out the priority actions that the EPA will take between now and 2015 in its role as environmental regulator, knowledge provider and advocate for the environment. Clean Water, Preventing Environmental Damage, providing Accessible Information and influencing Behavioural Change are four of the nine...

Environmental Liability Directive [ELD] 2004/35/EC came into force across Europe during 2009 where failure to comply with pollution prevention guidelines can result in fines and more significantly reformation / reinstatement costs which can run into many millions of Euro or Dollars. Unlike earlier directives, the EID applies to all businesses large and small alike and...

Everybody has heard of major environmental disasters and the legal, public relation and financial costs to high profile business, right!! Less well known are the easily avoidable environmental issues and simple remedies relating to all types of business, be they SMEs or large Multi-National Companies, which add significant cost to businesses every year. Hands Up...

New rules that entered into force on 13th August 2012 will see EU citizens better informed about major threats posed by industrial plants in their immediate vicinity. The rules are part of an update of the Seveso Directive, a key instrument in industrial risk management. The Directive obliges Member States to draw up emergency plans...

Over the last 20+ years we have developed our understanding of the many rules and regulation governing water quality and how they are implemented in Ireland and which our clients need to both be aware of and comply with, including: Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977-1990 EPA Acts 1990 – 2011 The Water Framework Directive...