Q1. What is the Waterloo Biofilter?

A. The Waterloo Biofilter is an absorbent trickling biological filter used to treat sewage from a variety of sources.  The foam medium is a benign flexible plastic similar to upholstery foam, except it is specially formulated to optimize physical conditions for beneficial microbes to inhabit without plugging up.  As sewage from your septic tank trickles down through the filter medium, the microbes clean your sewage by eating the organic contaminants, producing gases and water.

Q2. In what provinces and states is the Waterloo Biofilter approved?

A. The Waterloo Biofilter has general approval for residential installations in Ontario, Massachusetts, West Virginia, New Mexico, with additional jurisdictions being added. Larger systems are approved with an engineered design, and can be installed in virtually all jurisdictions on a case by case basis.  

Q3. What are the advantages of the Waterloo Biofilter?

A. Click here to see the advantages.

Q4. When can the Waterloo Biofilter be used?

A. The Waterloo Biofilter option is typically used where a raised bed is required, such as in heavy clay soils, shallow groundwater, but also in smaller lots or where treatment is preferred such as near lakes and in nitrogen sensitive areas.

Q.5 What is the cost of a Waterloo Biofilter?

A. The cost is dependent on the certified contractor, and depends on a number of factors, including:

• Soil conditions (percolation rate, soil type and depth)
• Height of groundwater table
• Daily Design Flow (based on number of bedrooms, square footage of house, number of fixture units)
• Local cost of construction materials (septic/pump tanks, sand, stone, pipe, etc)
• Cost of installation (construction, electrical and plumbing  works)
• Maintenance agreement

For a 3-bedroom home, installation cost typically ranges from $14,000 to $16,000 in southern Ontario. Where access is difficult or for larger houses, costs can increase substantially. For accurate pricing, please contact your local installer.  (click here for installer list)

Q.6 What is the area of a Waterloo Biofilter System?

A. The area of a Waterloo Biofilter System is the smallest possible footprint in Ontario and Massachusetts.

Q.7 What is the size of my disposal area?

A.  The size of your disposal area depends on the daily Design Flow of your home.  This is based on:

• number of bedrooms
• square footage of house
• number of plumbing ‘fixture units’

Q.8 Will I have a big mound in my yard?

A.  Unlike traditional sand filter beds and other tertiary treatment systems, there will be no big mound in your yard with a Biofilter.

Q.9 What causes bad smells in sewage?

A.  Sewage odours are caused by chemically reduced compounds containing nitrogen and sulphur primarily, such as in a septic tank. This is normal. As it cleans the sewage, the Biofilter actually oxidizes malodorous compounds to help render them odourless.

Q.10 How can I help to keep odours normal?

Very bad smells are typically caused by high sulfur in the water (gypsum, black shale, pyrite areas), high-strength sewage from water conservation methods, or an unhealthy septic tank. The Biofilter containers can direct all gases through a charcoal filter, and many designs can recirculate treated effluent to the septic tank. For a healthy septic tank, use bleach and disinfectants only in moderation, and do not use toilet pucks or detergent with bleach. Ensure the ‘stink vent pipe’ on the roof is high enough to disperse septic tank gases.

Q.11 Can I use the Waterloo Biofilter to replace my old, failing system?

A.  Provided that the septic tanks, and disposal field are properly sized and in good working order, in some cases the Waterloo Biofilter can be used to rejuvenate your old septic system.

Q.12 Can a Waterloo Biofilter be used for applications other than single family residences?

A.  Yes.  The Waterloo Biofilter can be used for all applications involving domestic sewage such as offices, restaurants, schools, truck stops, campgrounds, etc.

Q.13 Do I have to cut down any trees?

A.  In some cases where there is no distribution pipe, the disposal area bed can be within the trees, and they do take up a lot of water.  However, care must be taken to ensure that the roots of existing trees are not smothered.

Q.14 How can I get a Waterloo Biofilter?

A.  You can contact our authorized installers on this website.

Q.15 Do I require an engineered design?

A.  An engineered design is required in Ontario for all design flows >10,000 L/day administered by the Ministry of Environment, but some jurisdictions also require it for OBC systems.

Q.16 Do I require a maintenance contract?

A.  A maintenance contract is mandatory in Ontario.  This typically entails a site visit by your installer 1-2 times a year, and is highly recommended by Waterloo Biofilter to ensure your sewage treatment system is a ‘sustainable infrastructure’.