Micropollutants in Wastewater: A Growing Environmental Threat

Micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, microplastics and cosmetic residues, are a major problem in wastewater. These harmful substances are only partially removed during the treatment process, causing them to end up in rivers, lakes and drinking water sources. This has serious consequences for the environment: aquatic ecosystems are affected, fish and other organisms are at risk, and biodiversity decreases.

European water directives

The new EU Water Directives play an important role in addressing this problem. They impose stricter requirements on water treatment and encourage innovative technologies to effectively remove micropollutants. This is essential to protect ecosystems and safeguard public health. Compliance with these directives is a crucial step towards a sustainable and healthy future for people and nature.

Examples of micropollutants that are commonly found in domestic wastewater are residues of medicines (paracetamol, antidepressants, etc.), phthalates (molecules released when plastic is used), parabens (from cosmetics), UV filters in lubricants and pesticides used, for example, on pets.

The removal of micropollutants in traditional wastewater treatment plants is difficult. The difficult biological degradability of these substances in combination with the low concentrations in which they are present makes them uninteresting as a food source (substrate) for bacteria in the treatment plant.

The biomass in wastewater treatment primarily focuses on the easily degradable substrate and ignores these micropollutants, which therefore flow through the treatment untreated and reach the surface water via the effluent from the treatment plant.

Microplastics
drug residues
pesticides
Microcontaminantes, Micropolluenten, Micropollutants

MicroCat®-SBP

The MicroCat®-SBP technology uses capsules equipped with micro-membranes that function as a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR). The capsules are supplied with a small amount of MicroCat® bacteria and the membranes keep the bacteria in the capsule, while wastewater with dissolved contamination can flow into the capsules unhindered. In the capsules, the bacteria grow on the incoming waste materials and multiply until the capsule is full. The capsules are made of biodegradable organic material and do not burden the environment. The capsules have an average lifespan of 2 months.

Using the MicroCat®-SBP technology, bacteria selected for their ability to break down these micropollutants can be added and retained in the purification. Because these bacteria are grown during production on substrate consisting of these organic micropollutants, their enzyme systems are focused on breaking them down and they will immediately start breaking down the micropollutants in the wastewater as soon as they are added. Because they do not experience competition for these micropollutants in the capsule and later, when the capsule breaks open, in the M.L.S.S. (Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids), the micropollutants are effectively removed from the wastewater despite their difficult degradability and low levels.

In addition to placing the MicroCat®-SBP technology in the aeration basin, it is also possible to place a downstream reactor containing the SBP capsules. Read more about micropollutants in such a downstream reactor in this article.

MicroCat®-HX

MicroCat®-HX is a special blend of selected, adapted microorganisms and special activated carbon for use in biological wastewater treatment plants. MicroCat®-HX contains a combination of aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms selected from nature for their ability to break down a wide range of synthetic organic substances.MicroCat®-HX also contains precisely selected activated carbon powder to immobilize low levels of toxic substances in the waste stream.

MicroCat®-HX is formulated for use in biological wastewater treatment plants receiving industrial wastewater. These plants, whether urban or industrial, receive a broad spectrum of organic chemicals, some of which are toxic or very difficult to degrade. Such chemicals tend to cause problems during their stay in the treatment plant that result in poor effluent quality and increased operating costs. MicroCat®-HX synergistically combines the adsorption and waste immobilization properties of specific activated carbon with enhanced biodegradation properties of selected, adapted microbial strains. When used in a preventive manner in the form of a regular maintenance dose, this combination can enhance purification and improve overall system performance at reduced operating costs. MicroCat®-HX is specially formulated for use in chemical, petrochemical, metal, textile and similar industries and for municipal wastewater treatment plants that also receive wastewater from these industries.

Shelf life: 2 years

Germ count: 5,109 cfu’s/gram

MicroCat®-HX is available in 0.45 Kg water-soluble bags in 11.3 Kg buckets.

In order to determine if MicroCat®-HX can provide a solution for your wastewater treatment, we need some data on the wastewater composition and treatment system. Below you can download the system information form, fill it out and return it to us. We will make a proposal without any obligation.

MicroCat®-XR

MicroCat®-XR is a special blend of selected, adapted microorganisms for use in biological treatment plants that receive difficult to degrade organic compounds from the chemical and petrochemical industries.

MicroCat®-XR contains a combination of aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms selected from nature for their ability to degrade a wide range of natural and synthetic organic compounds, including aliphatic and aromatic compounds.

MicroCat®-XR is formulated for use in biological wastewater treatment systems in the chemical, petrochemical, metalworking, textile, paper and related industries. These systems receive a broad spectrum of organic chemicals, some of which are toxic and/or difficult to degrade or present in low levels, so-called micropollutants. Such chemicals move through the system and cause disruptions to the treatment process along the way, resulting in poor effluent quality and increased operating costs.

MicroCat®-XR contains selected, adapted microbial strains for enhanced biodegradation. When used as a preventative maintenance method, the product can increase purification efficiencies on difficult to break down compounds and improve overall system performance at reduced cost.

Shelf life: 2 years

Germ count: 5,109 cfu’s/gram

MicroCat®-XR is available in 11.3 kg pails.

In MicroCat®-XRP, MicroCat®-XR is packaged in water-soluble sachets of 0.45 kg (25 sachets/bucket).

In order to determine whether MicroCat®-XR is a solution for your wastewater treatment we need some information about the wastewater composition and the treatment system. Below you can download the system information form, fill it in and return it to us. We will make a proposal without obligation.

Would you like more information about how MicroCat® can help remove difficult to degrade (micro)pollutants?