Why do Ecoflo septic systems use a coco filter?

In our pursuit of the most effective filtering medium to treat domestic wastewater, our research teams studied a wide range of minerals, synthetics, and organic materials.

The results were clear: coconut husk fragments offer the most reliable performance over time. And, because they are 100% natural, renewable, and compostable, they make our Ecoflo septic systems the most sustainable solutions available.

But what is it about coco that makes it the solution of choice? To understand, let’s look at five key properties: sustainability, fragment particle size, porosity, absorption and water retention, and mechanical resistance.

Table of contents

1.	Sustainability
2.	Fragment particle size
3.	Porosity
4.	Absorption and water retention
5.	Mechanical resistance

Sustainability

By transforming fragments of coconut husk into a filtration medium, we give a second life to a valuable resource and ensure that no part of the fruit goes to waste.

The all-natural product we create is not only renewable, but also fully compostable after its years of use in wastewater treatment.

Coconut fragments also offer an advantage in terms of CO2 emissions. Compared to other filtration media such as sand, coconut is much lighter and requires far less material to treat the same volume of wastewater. Less material means less transportation — and therefore a reduced carbon footprint, from our factories to the installation site.

Fragment particle size

Coconut husk fragments are produced by cutting up the husk that surrounds the fruit of the coconut. This mechanical process gives us control over the size of each fragment and overall porosity, guaranteeing a uniform filtering medium that delivers consistently high performance over time.

Porosity

Coconut husk fragments provide an effective and durable wastewater filtering medium because they have the right proportion of micropores and macropores.

Micropores provide an ideal environment for the microorganisms that make biological wastewater treatment possible. Macropores, on the other hand, promote the exchange of gas and water, which is essential for effective treatment.

Absorption and water retention

The structure of coconut husk fragments contains fibres that are interconnected by parenchyma, a natural binder that has a high absorption capacity.

This unique characteristic gives the filtering medium exceptional stability, an advantage that helps Ecoflo overcome two of the main challenges faced by on-site wastewater treatment systems: variable load conditions and frequent periods of non-use.

Mechanical resistance

Due to their structure, all organic filter media naturally break down over time. This process compresses the pores that are essential to wastewater treatment and gradually degrades the medium’s filtering properties until it is no longer effective.

In that respect, coconut husk fragments make an ideal filter medium because they contain a high proportion of lignin, a compound that is particularly resistant to biodegradation.

The material’s rigidity and low degradability help the filter medium retain its three-dimensional structure and porosity over time, allowing it to maintain its filtering performance throughout the life of the bed.

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The bottom line

What does all of this mean for you? With each coconut husk fragment filter in your Ecoflo septic system, you get years of eco-responsible, highly effective wastewater treatment that protects your property and the environment for generations to come.

Now that’s a sustainable septic solution.