Effective micro-organisms reduces cost at sewerage treatment plants

Mr Dries Joubert, Chairperson of TAU SA North said that various towns and cities over the world are making use of EM (Effective Micro – organisms) to reduce the costs in the treatment of municipal sewerage.

HOUSEHOLD SEWERAGE TREATMENT
Human waste is a major problem not only for South Africans, but for most cities and towns around the world. EM makes it possible to treat human waste at the source – the house or living space of people. The micro – organisms in EM are able to digest the particles in the water. The results are the removal of foul odour and clean water can be discharged. In a very simple, affordable process it is possible for households to treat sewerage with EM and assist our fragile environment. Ordinary South Africans can therefore participate to reduce the heavy load on the municipal sewerage systems.

MUNICIPAL SEWERAGE PROCESSING
Various cities around the globe used EM to assist in the treatment of municipal sewerage. In an article “EM effect to reduce sludge in waste water treatment”, it was claimed that “during the experiment of EM application, scum generation was suppressed, and ideal operating condition was maintained. The primary and secondary effects of EM application and reduction of sludge were remarkable. It was also effective in saving some costs.” This report was from Tsuruoka City of Yamagata in Japan. Environmental services, or waste treatments, all use bacteria to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials.  All these processes focus on aerobic methods to prevent rotting and the production of odours.  Tremendous amounts of energy are used to run machinery and aeration units.  EM is a liquid concentrate of beneficial bacteria that will stop putrefaction (rotting) of organic materials.  Using EM in a bioremediation system will accentuate the beneficial microbial growth in the process, accelerating the process, and ultimately save the operation money.

SLUDGE DIGESTION
According to EM America, an average of 40% of sludge, by weight, added to a digestion system is non-degradable, some of this sludge is derived from plastic particles. Plastics derived from vegetable-based oils may be broken down biologically, but require much longer time than most facilities or equipment allow. The remainder of the sludge is made of organic matter which is food for microbes, like those in EM.  With Effective Microorganisms as part of the treatment cycle, one can achieve a greater amount of breakdown in a shorter amount of time.  The use of Effective Microorganisms Technology in the collection system will encourage a dramatic growth of beneficial microorganisms, including sludge worms that will break down solids. The average sludge reduction achieved with consistent EM application is about 33%.  However, sludge digestion rates have been reported as high as 90%.  These dramatic differences vary according to the system design, the wastewater makeup, and the management of the system.

Mr. Joubert said that EM can be a cost – effective way to reduce the treatment cost of the uncontrollable problem of municipal sewerage that plaque so many towns and cities in South Africa. With EM the current problem of heavy pollution of rivers and other water ways can be reduced. Mr. Joubert urged and challenge municipalities and individual home owners to look at this natural product to solve this ever growing problem.