Percolating filter treatment plants, together with activated sludge treatment plants, represent one of the most widespread methods for the biological treatment of domestic and urban wastewater and are used for the purification of both small and medium/large users.
Percolating filter treatment plants operate by reproducing natural biological purification phenomena in a limited space. This allows for the treatment of larger quantities of wastewater in smaller spaces and in shorter times.
The biological percolation treatment plant is one of the oldest systems used by humans, as it operates by regularly spreading wastewater from top to bottom over a so-called “percolation bed” made up of multiple layers of draining material (gravel, plastic material, etc.), which allows for the complete reproduction of the same microbiological environment found in nature.
The special BIOROCK® fiber draining material from the BIOWATER line allows for purification performance like no other system in this category.
The initial phase of biological purification phenomena in a traditional percolating filter treatment plant can last from 4 to 6 weeks to a few months, while in the BIOROCK® from the BIOWATER line, they activate in just 24 to 48 hours.
After the initial phase of operation, the characteristics of the BIOROCK® biological filter allow for optimal and guaranteed purification even for wastewater from facilities characterized by high discontinuity in water loads, both daily and seasonal, such as restaurants, second homes, agritourisms, etc.
Bacterial colonies adhere to the internal plant fiber filling of the BIOROCK® biological filter from the BIOWATER line, managing to remain alive and operational without being washed away by the wastewater from the facilities, thus continuing their action of biodegradation of the pollutants present in the effluents.
The construction characteristics of the BIOROCK® from the BIOWATER line allow for the treatment and purification of both black and grey wastewater combined in a single discharge column, provided they have been previously treated by a properly sized septic tank.
The aerated percolating filter treatment plant BIOROCK® complies with the parameters of appropriate plants indicated by D.Lgs 152/06 Environmental Code part III on Environmental Protection, by regional regulation 59/R Tuscany Region, and is indicated as an appropriate treatment plant by ARPAT at the request of the Municipality of Arezzo (ITALY) with a delivery letter from February 2010.
The construction and functional characteristics of the BIOROCK® make it particularly suitable for installation in all building interventions in bio-building, bio-architecture, and wooden houses, as it allows for alignment with the objectives of this way of understanding buildings. Bio-ecological construction and bio-architecture consider the healthiness of environments and the minimum possible environmental impact, thus contributing to improving the living conditions of humans in the construction sector. It does not only address the issue of materials but also considers the site, local climatic conditions, the possibility of energy optimization, and the conservation of drinking water.
The BIOROCK® from the BIOWATER line by Dorabaltea is made of high-density polyethylene resistant to burial.
Good usage standards
The aerobic percolating bed treatment plant BIOROCK® from the BIOWATER line allows for effective purification even in smaller and dispersed users, avoiding the collection of low loads over long distances.
The purification performance is certified CE EN 12566-3 2005 and complies with R.Eu 305/11 effective from July 1, 2013, and is very high, especially for direct flow systems; they are among the appropriate treatment systems commonly used for all users.
In the case of small or medium users with high discontinuity, the BIOROCK® does not require any additional technical measures for installation.
It is possible to install a single primary treatment or reuse an existing one upstream of the BIOROCK® biological filter with volumes ranging from 300 to 500 liters per equivalent inhabitant based on the served user.
The operation of the treatment plant without electricity allows for installation even far from energy sources.
It is important to remember that rainwater must not enter the aerobic percolating filter treatment plant model BIOROCK® from the BIOWATER line.
Fields of application
There are no particular limits on the use of BIOROCK® for the treatment of domestic and/or assimilated wastewater, but the main advantage is that it can be used in all those situations of scattered users far from the sewage system.
Particularly suitable for campsites and/or tourist villages with scattered houses and accommodations, the great flexibility of the BIOROCK® allows for decentralized installation serving all users separately.
With over 30,000 installations in more than 75 countries worldwide, we have accumulated enough experience to say that it is possible to treat:
- Domestic wastewater from all types of users
- Discharges from hotels, campsites, tourist villages, agritourisms, and other types of accommodation.
- Agricultural wastewater in general
- And all other wastewater as long as it is of a civil/domestic nature
Technological parameters
The quality of the treated water complies with the requirements for discharge into both surface waters and soil and allows for reuse for irrigation purposes of the effluent.
Tabular parameters obtainable for the treated water from the natural flow biological filter BIOROCK from the BIOWATER line are reported in the table guaranteed by the CE EN 12566-3 test conducted at PIA Aachen (notified body):
| Parameter | Treatment efficiency |
|---|---|
| BOD5 | 98.7% |
| COD | 96.3% |
| SS | 99.3% |
| P | 53.1% |
| Ntot | 76.4% |
Regulatory references
The aerobic percolating bed treatment plant is indicated as a secondary plant element by D.Lgs 152/06 and reported in various Regional regulations, to be used together with other primary systems necessary to reduce the pollutant load of wastewater to protect groundwater.
The plant also complies with European Regulation 305 “technical standards for construction materials”
Integrated with a disinfection system, it also complies with Ministerial Decree 185 2003 “technical standards for the reuse of wastewater.”
IMPORTANT
European Regulation no. 305/11 has provided that this type of plant must also be certified according to the CE EN 12566-3 directive for both structural and functional parameters, the latter mandatory from July 1, 2013, through the mandatory purification performance test lasting at least 38 weeks.
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Maintenance
The maintenance operations necessary for the operation of the BIOROCK® are easily performed by the client and include checking the aeration pipes for blockages caused by insect and/or bird nests, checking the discharge pipe, and nothing else.
It is important, as with other wastewater treatment systems, to maintain primary treatments such as septic tanks, Imhoff tanks, and grease traps, if installed, at appropriate intervals.
Periodic maintenance operations must be carried out by vacuum truck companies that will then dispose of the waste either at the landfill or at the public treatment plant.
More specific technical interventions should be carried out by specialized personnel.
Indicative list of advantages:
- Certified purification yields CE EN 12566-3 2005 for users up to 50 AE.
- The complete treatment plant of the BIOWATER line with BIOROCK technology, if designed, installed, maintained, and managed according to project parameters, allows compliance with the parameters of DM 185/03 for the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation purposes.
- Insensitivity to variations in the temperature of wastewater (in traditional plants, the higher the water temperature, the lower the concentration of dissolved oxygen).
- The system, oxygenating directly from the outside, allows the bacterial flora that develops inside to be more reactive and vital even at low external temperatures, improving purification performance even in the presence of warmer wastewater.
- Excellent purification yields even for larger users.
- Constant and lasting purification yields over time.
- No purification deficit caused by short and long load discontinuities.
- Cost-effectiveness of purchase.
- Ease of installation.
- Reduced installation costs.
- The lowest management and maintenance costs among wastewater treatment systems for civil and/or assimilated users.
- No visual impact as the system is entirely buried.
- Completely silent.
- The natural aerobic percolator BIOROCK does not require electricity for operation and is the most eco-friendly compact plant in the world with zero CO2 emissions.
- Energy savings for an average household amount to about 1000 kW annually, equivalent to about €300.00.
- Reduction of about 650 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced in a year for each household.
- Integrated with a disinfection system, it allows for the reuse of treated water for irrigation in compliance with DM 185 June 12, 2003, and subsequent amendments.
Indicative list of disadvantages:
- Need for the installation of an aeration pipe with a minimum diameter of Ø 10, 3-4 meters high, to be housed either on a wall or in hedges or plants to hide it from view.
- Low discharge.