Novel hybrid filter for the treatment of septic tank effluent

Intermittent sand filtration is a common and effective method for treating septic tank effluent. However, if the loading rate is too high, clogging and ponding of the sand filter surface layer can occur due to the accumulation of excessive biomass and the deposition of suspended solids. This ponding limits the practicality of sand filtration as it makes it necessary to take the filter out of service for maintenance. The objective of this study was to develop and test, on-site, a new hybrid filter system that would reduce the risk of clogging at an organic loading rate substantially greater than the maximum recommended loading rate for intermittent sand filters. The system comprised a 0.6m deep horizontal flow biofilm reactor (HFBR) over a 0.85m deep stratified sand filter. The HFBR consisted of a stack of 20 horizontal corrugated polyvinyl chloride sheets, at 32mm vertical spacings. The sheets were arranged so that the wastewater flowed over and back along alternate sheets down through the stack. The main biofilm growth formed on these sheets. The hybrid filter was loaded with septic tank effluent from an office/garage complex at the rate of 206 L/m₂ day for a period of 400 days in two phases. During the first phase, the effluent volume of 600L day was applied in 24 doses/day for 10min dose, and during the second phase in 6 doses/day for 40min dose. Biofilms in the HFBR substantially reduced the organic and suspended solids loads that reached the sand filter surface and allowed an average total biochemical oxygen demand (BOD_T) loading rate, based on HFBR plan area, of 37 g BOD_T m₂ day to be applied to the system without clogging. This rate was substantially greater than the maximum recommended loading rate of 24 g BOD_T m₂ day for intermittent sand filters. During both loading phases a BOD_T removal of 94% was achieved and nitrification was nearly complete. The average effluent BOD_T was 12±4mg/L during both phases. The hybrid filter system appeared to perform better in terms of suspended solids handling and nitrification during the more frequent dosing phase. The hybrid filtration system offers a more compact alternative to intermittent sand filtration on its own with little risk of clogging.