Removing nutrients from septic systems helps to protect Ontario’s lakes and maintain lakefront cottage property values.  This final installment of the three-part mini-series covers septic system options available to Ontario homeowners including holding tanks, clustered systems, septic tanks and filtration treatment units.  Nitrogen and phosphorus removal techniques ranging from recirculation, chemical addition, and urine diversion are discussed.  The ability to inspect and verify that a septic system is performing as intended is crucial to the sustainability and environmental protection afforded by it.  By treating wastewater outside of the natural environment, removing nutrients and including proper maintenance, septic systems can become a permanent ‘environmentally benign infrastructure’ that helps to protect Ontario’s water sources.

A three part mini-series by Waterloo Biofilter focuses on septic system nutrients and their effects on Ontario cottagers.  Part III was published by the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) in their Spring 2011 Newsletter.

Please click the following link to read Part III of this series on Ontario septic systems.

Household sewage contains many nutrients that if left untreated can be hazardous to the natural soil environment or human health.  This is of greater concern today than it was in years past with the introduction of water conservation techniques and more household chemical use and medications.  Modern sewage treatment requires a two-stage ‘multiple barrier’ or ‘double filtration’ approach to attain the desired health and safety and environmental objectives.

A three part mini-series by Waterloo Biofilter focuses on septic system nutrients and their effects on Ontario cottagers.  Part II was published by the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) in their Fall 2010 Newsletter.

Please click the following link to read Part II of this series on septic system nutrients.

Septic systems can be designed and operated to be ‘permanent infrastructure’ equivalent to municipal wastewater treatment systems by taking the sewage treatment outside of the natural environment.  High-level treatment by aerobic bio-filtration followed by polishing and disposal in the soil greatly reduces the environmental impact on natural soil and water, as well as the potential for health and safety risks.  When coupled with high levels of nutrient removal, this permanent infrastructure is also ‘environmentally benign’ with little or no impact on natural water resources.

A three part mini-series by Waterloo Biofilter focuses on septic system nutrients and their effects on Ontario cottagers.  Part I was published by the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) in their Spring/Summer 2010 Newsletter.

Please click the following link to read Part I of this series on septic system nutrients.

Waterloo Biofilter Systems Inc. was recently featured in an article by The Muskoka Sun, a weekly newspaper catering to Ontario’s cottage industry.  Published under the weekly “Cottage Under Construction” series, the article discusses the need for wastewater treatment to protect the natural environment in Ontario’s prized Muskoka cottage country.

Conventional drainfield septic systems are generally not an option in the Muskoka area due to lack of suitable soils, high water table and bedrock.  Where they are installed, conventional septic systems may be unknowingly polluting lakes and groundwater because there is no way to verify treatment and no maintenance contracts are required.  Alternative septic solutions like the Waterloo Biofilter help protect Muskoka’s lakefront by treating sewage before disposal and allowing verification of treatment performance during routine maintenance visits.

Waterloo Biofilter’s Flat Bed and Cedar Shed Biofilters can be installed on very small lots, high water table and bedrock, making them ideal solutions for the Muskoka region.   Please click on the following link to read the full article on Muskoka septic systems.

The Government of Ontario’s Green Focus on Innovation and Technology (GreenFIT) strategy recently showcased a successful installation of Waterloo Biofilter technology at the Rideau River Provincial Park.  Two SC-40 packaged wastewater treatment plants installed at the provincially-owned campground treat the design sewage flow of 80,000 L/day.  The Waterloo Biofilter on-site wastewater treatment system was chosen because of its low energy consumption, high level of treatment, and the ability to overcome difficult site constraints of high water table and clay soil.

The GreenFIT strategy aims to make Ontario more competitive, innovative and sustainable through targeted purchasing of green technologies.  Please click on the following link to read the full Waterloo Biofilter GreenFIT Showcase.

While homeowner habits have dramatically changed over the years, the design of conventional septic systems has not kept pace.  People today use much more water, disinfectants and other cleaning chemicals compared to even 10 years ago, but their conventional septic tank and drainfield disposal system have remained generally unchanged for over 50 years.

Waterloo Biofilter’s newest research article, published in the March 2010 edition of Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine, identifies the shortcomings of conventional septic systems with their ‘single barrier’ approach to wastewater treatment, and stresses the need for residential sewage treatment outside of the natural environment.  Septic systems that have separate and detached sewage treatment and sewage disposal components are more easily maintained and their performance is verifiable.  A Waterloo Biofilter system comprising a physical media filter followed by a fine sand or soil polishing and disposal bed, provides a preferred ‘multiple barrier’ solution that offers increased protection of soils and groundwater.

Please click the following link to read the full article on modern residential wastewater treatment (PDF, 222KB).

Waterloo Biofilter Systems is proud to announce that a number of their onsite wastewater treatment technologies have been selected to participate in the Ontario Green Schools Pilot Initiative.  This joint initiative of the Ontario Ministry of Education and Ministry of Research & Innovation seeks to “identify, demonstrate and test innovative green products.”  Installations at several Ontario schools in late-2010 will feature SC-40 Shipping Container packaged wastewater treatment plants, WaterNOx biological anoxic filters for enhanced nutrient removal, as well as wastewater reuse systems to allow for non-potable water recycling.

Waterloo Biofilter’s green technologies were chosen due to their high treatment capabilities, energy efficiency, low operating costs, and ability to reuse treated wastewater directly onsite.

Waterloo Biofilter is proud to announce the launch of our new website. Stay tuned to this section for news, announcements and events.