Evaluation of cold-weather wastewater nitrification technology for removal of polar chemicals of emerging concern from rural wastewaters

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We are evaluating how a novel wastewater polisher, the Submerged Attached Growth Reactor (SAGR), can**remove polar chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and**pesticides. SAGR is a technology developed by Nexom for improving wastewater treatment in small**communities using lagoon wastewater treatment technology. Lagoons often provide limited removal of**nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), suspended solids, biochemical demand, coliform bacteria, and other**traditional wastewater contaminants. Given increasingly more stringent wastewater standards, it is imperative**that effective but economical and easy-to-use treatment technologies be developed. SAGR consists of a**fully-aerated course gravel bed that is insulated. This promotes the growth of beneficial nitrifying bacteria that**remove ammonia under all weather conditions, especially cold temperatures in winter that limit bacterial**growth and therefore treatment efficiency. In previous tests, SAGR has been shown to be extremely effective**at removing traditional wastewater contaminants to levels below current Canadian standards. The bacterial**populations are also likely to remove polar CECs as well, which can also be a hazard to human and ecosystem**health and are beginning to be regulated in other jurisdictions. Our collaboration with Nexom will evaluate**SAGR at eliminating polar CECs at two model installations in Manitoba First Nations communities. This**work will help to improve water quality for the many Canadians living in rural communities with limited**infrastructure for wastewater treatment.