The raw sewage enters the pre-filter tank which separates the solids from the liquid part of the effluent. (This could be an existing septic tank in the case of a retrofit installation.) This pre-filter digests most of the solids anaerobically and should only require emptying every 2-3 years. The solids-free effluent then enters the Biorock® biofilter which uses layers of natural fibre to treat the effluent in exactly the same way as nature treats effluent in the soil or on the margins of a pond.
Bacteria grow in the fibre and digest the organic material as it passes through the system. So, instead of using electricity guzzling compressors or pumps to provide the air, the Biorock® biofilter sewage treatment plant utilises the wind and natural chimney-draft to draw the air through the plant! No electricity required! The natural fibre is self-cleansing and works with nature, not against it.
Completely Silent
- Completely silent operation as there are no pumps, motors or compressors.
Visually unobtrusive
- A small lid, flush with the ground ensures no visual obtrusion. No compressor, blower or pump, so no above-ground kiosk.
Minimum Annual Maintenance
- The maintenance on a Biorock® is lower than any of its rivals, saving money and reducing carbon emissions.
No Electricity Required
- The Biorock® relies on gravity and natural air flow to work. This is a significant monthly saving even on small single house sewage plants
Sustainability
- Without question it is the most sustainable system available.
Solar Power Friendly
- Where a pumped outlet is required, the Biorock® uses a tiny low-voltage pump which can comfortably operate on SOLAR POWER - not mains electricity!
Lowest Running Costs
- This is the cheapest system to operate in Africa. Guaranteed!
No Moving Parts
- No pumps, blowers or other equipment is used in the sewage treatment plant.
No Concrete Required
- The Biorock® requires no concrete for the installation (depending on ground conditions); saving you money as no concrete plinth is needed to install the unit.
Long Desludge Interval
- The primary tank only requires a desludge every 3-5 years, cutting running cost substantially.
24-Hour Start Up Period
The average sewage treatment plant takes 2-6 weeks to work properly. Basically, sewage (or wastewater) needs to be flowing through the treatment plant for a few weeks before the bacteria can establish themselves. The Biorock® system however is fully functional in just 24 hours – and will continue to function even after several months without use! Guaranteed! This is because the Biorock® natural fibre material is preseeded with numerous strains of enzymes and bacteria which speed up the processes. This has enormous benefit for systems that experience periodic or seasonal use as nearly all conventional systems will fail to meet their discharge consent standards for several weeks or months when occupation resumes.
Superb Effluent Quality
The Biorock® system will produce effluent to a 4:3:3 effluent standard (BOD 4mg/ℓ, TSS 3mg/ℓ, NH3 3mg/ℓ). The typical worldwide standard is 20:30:20. This means that the final effluent from a Biorock® sewage treatment plant is four times as clean as the minimum standard! Most packaged plants commercially available in Africa don’t even meet the minimum standard. Where the final effluent is discharged into a water course, or reused for irrigation, the effluent is further treated (to reduce ammonia to under 6mg/ℓ) and sterilised.