Why Camp Courageous chose us for its wastewater treatment system
Camp Courageous sits next to the Maquoketa River, a haven for trout and smallmouth bass that boasts dazzling autumn leaves along its shores.
To protect this sensitive environment for future generations, the camp chose to replace its aging septic system with proven technologies and expert guidance from Premier Tech.

Located near Monticello, Iowa, Camp Courageous is a non-profit organization that provides year-round respite care and recreational activities for people with special needs.
In 1974, when Camp Courageous first opened its doors to campers, it served 211 people. It now has 25 buildings on 300 acres of land and hosts more than 9,000 campers each year.
The camp’s original septic system could no longer cope with the site’s growing needs. Rather than scale back operations – and turn people away – Camp Courageous looked for a long-term solution to treat its wastewater.
Surface discharge in a sensitive area.
Seasonal flow fluctuations.
Wastewater strength fluctuations.
Rewatec MBBR.
Ecoflo biofilter.
Rewatec UV disinfection.
BOD5 < 3 mg/L
TSS < 2 mg/L
NH4 < 0.05 mg/L
Challenges
- Surface discharge
Discharge into a sensitive environment: the Maquoketa River in Pictured Rocks County Park.
- Seasonal flow
Flow fluctuations between peak use in the summer and low use in the winter.
- Wastewater strength
Strength fluctuations due to intermittent food preparation and toilet flushing.
Solutions
Shive-Hattery was the engineering firm in charge of the project. After studying the best solutions available, its experts chose to design two independent treatment trains with Premier Tech’s proven technologies and support.

Removes trash and captures suspended solids, including fats, oils, and greases, before discharging partially clarified wastewater downstream.

Provides a reliable buffer against flow fluctuations by retaining incoming wastewater and sending metered doses to Rewatec MBBR.
Manages flow and strength fluctuations and destroys wastewater pollutants with a natural treatment process that removes up to 99% of soluble CBOD5 and NH4.
Separates liquids from biomass to remove up to 99% of TSS. Sends sludge back to the primary treatment tank and discharges wastewater downstream for additional treatment.

Removes wastewater pollutants with a natural, renewable, and compostable filter made of coconut husk fragments. Treatment requires zero energy.

Eliminates fecal coliforms and other pathogens by exposing them to radiation from UV lamps, then safely discharges treated effluent into the Matquoketa River.
“Premier Tech was a pleasure to work with . . . from design through installation, and, most importantly, support after completion. The results speak for themselves.”
James Kurth
Facilities Director, Camp Courageous
Get in touch
Learn more about our wastewater treatment solutions for campgrounds and parks by contacting our team of experts today.