Water treatment · Biological

Biological water treatment

Let nature's own microorganisms do the work. Biological water treatment breaks down oil, soap residue and organic matter in your recycled water — continuously, odour-free and with minimal chemical use.

The principle

What is biological water treatment?

Biological water treatment uses naturally occurring bacteria to break down organic pollution. The bacteria live on a large surface area — typically moving plastic media (MBBR) or a fixed carrier bed — and convert oil, surfactants and dissolved organic matter into water, CO₂ and new biomass. It needs oxygen, so the water is aerated. The result is a stable, self-running biology that purifies around the clock without large amounts of chemicals.

Low chemical use

The bacteria do the work — you save on dosing chemicals and reduce the volume of sludge to be disposed of.

Stable and odour-free

Correctly aerated biology keeps the water aerobic, so hydrogen sulphide and rotten odours are avoided — also in closed recycling systems.

Lower running cost

Less chemistry, less sludge and more recycled water means lower fresh- and waste-water consumption over time.

IND UD Carrier bed with biofilm + aeration from below
MBBR · Biofilm

How the process works

From dirty recycled water to clear, odour-free water — in four steps.

1

Pre-treatment

Sand, sludge and free oil are removed mechanically, so the biology only handles the dissolved organic load.

2

Biological breakdown

In the aerated reactor, the bacteria break down oil, soap and organic matter while growing as biofilm on the media.

3

Settling

Excess biomass is separated from the water by settling or filtration, leaving the treated water clear.

4

Reuse

The clean water is returned to the process — e.g. the wash bay — closing the loop with minimal waste.

When is biological treatment the right solution?

Biology is strong where the pollution is organic and the flow is stable.

  • Car-wash recycling plants

    Soap, wax and road film are organic — perfect food for the biology in a closed wash-water loop.

  • Process water with organic load

    Food, cleaning and process industry with high levels of dissolved organic matter (COD/BOD).

  • Odour problems in recirculation

    Where standing recycled water starts to smell, actively aerated biology keeps the water fresh.

  • Stable, continuous operation

    Biology thrives best with steady load — ideal for plants running every day, all year.

  • Lower chemical and sludge cost

    If you want to cut dosing chemicals and sludge volume, biology shifts much of the treatment away from chemicals.

  • Combined with pre- or post-treatment

    Biology works well with flocculation upstream and HydroFLOW® or filtration downstream — we compose the treatment train.

Shall we look at your water?

Tell me about your process and your challenges, and I'll assess whether biological treatment — alone or combined — is right for you.

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Contact

Should we assess your plant?

Tell us briefly about your project or water-quality challenge — and we'll come back with a non-binding assessment within 1–2 working days.