Phosphorus removal

Why is phosphorus removal important?

Phosphorus is a nutrient that is commonly found in wastewater. If it is discharged into the environment without proper treatment, it can enter nearby watercourses via groundwater or runoff.

Either way, the environment suffers.

Too much phosphorus causes an overabundance of algae in aquatic ecosystems. Algae blooms prevent sunlight from reaching native plants below the surface, resulting in their death. Bacteria that feed on decaying plant matter then increase in number, consuming more and more oxygen until larger species like fish and shellfish suffocate.

At this point, the once healthy watercourse can no longer support life. It becomes a dead zone.

The damage phosphorus can cause to our environment, health, and economy is dire.

The solution to this problem is simple: effective wastewater treatment systems that include one of our proven phosphorus removal options.

How do our residential phosphorus removal systems work?

Primary reactor

Wastewater first flows into a primary reactor. Solids that settle on the bottom of the reactor are called sludge. They are removed from the tank by a septic pumper as often as needed.

Electrocoagulation unit

Liquids leave the primary reactor and flow downstream into an electrocoagulation unit. This unit has two chambers: a reaction zone and a separation zone.

In the reaction zone, electrodes release aluminum particles that react with phosphorus in wastewater. This process, called electrocoagulation, transforms soluble phosphorus into solid compounds.

In the separation zone, solid particles gradually settle on the bottom of the tank. They are then pumped back into the primary reactor for removal.

Additional treatment and final dispersal

As solids sink to the bottom of the separation zone, clarified wastewater forms at the top. Depending on local regulations, this wastewater flows downstream into:

• our Ecoflo biofilter (with a Rewatec UV disinfection unit)
• a sand filter
• a leach field

After final treatment, wastewater is discharged into a ditch or watercourse for final dispersal.

Residential phosphorus removal system maintenance

We have a network of local partners, annually trained by us to maximize the life of your residential Rewatec phosphorus removal system and to protect your investment in your septic installation.

When a technician visits your property, they will:

• measure sludge in the primary reactor
• advise you if the primary reactor requires pumping
• ensure all components are operational
• inspect and clean the system’s flow regulator
• verify if aluminum electrodes need to be replaced
• collect samples to verify treatment performance (when required)

Download owner's manual

Warranty

Our 5-year warranty for residential phosphorus removal systems includes: 

• all tanks 
• original tank parts and labor 
• replacement tank parts and labor 

How do our commercial and municipal phosphorus removal systems work?

Our commercial and municipal phosphorus removal options are ideal additions to our proven wastewater treatment systems:

• Ecoflo biofilter clusters
• Rewatec membrane bioreactors (MBR)
• Rewatec moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBR)
• Rewatec sequencing batch reactors (SBR)

In all systems, dosing pumps inject coagulant into wastewater. The amount of coagulant is optimized based on the installation’s actual flow rates.

Coagulation takes place in a static mixer. The mixer allows wastewater to react with the coagulant, transforming soluble phosphorus into solid compounds.

After coagulation, depending on the type of system used, solid phosphorus compounds either settle on the bottom of a primary tank or secondary clarifier, or they are blocked by a downstream filter.

These particles form sludge that is removed by a septic pumper as often as needed. Liquids, now with greatly reduced concentrations of phosphorus, continue downstream for additional treatment.

If needed, additional injection points can be added at different parts of the treatment train to optimize and better control phosphorus removal performance.

Commercial and municipal phosphorus removal system maintenance

We have a network of technicians and local partners, annually trained by us to maximize the life of your commercial or municipal Rewatec phosphorus removal system and to protect your investment in your property.

When a technician visits your property, they will:

• inspect all system components
• measure sludge in sludge storage tanks
• check the flow rate of the pump to ensure coagulant is correctly dosed
• confirm that coagulant barrels are sufficiently full
• collect samples to verify treatment performance (when required)
   

Warranty

Our 2-year warranty for commercial and municipal phosphorus removal systems includes:

• original pumps
• replacement pumps