Septic tanks are widely used in rural areas where there is no sewage collection system and it is necessary to treat domestic wastewater. Untreated wastewater from the house or group of houses flows into the septic tank where the solids separate from the liquids. The majority of the solids settle to the bottom where they are liquefied slowly. Lighter solids such as grease, fats and soaps float to the surface and form the scum layer. The septic tank is designed to retain the solids in the tank. The liquid passes out of the septic tank and into a percolation system or soakaway.
The degradative activity in a septic tank is based on a natural anaerobic (oxygen-free) biological process. This activity helps to liquefy solids, digest paper and other fibres and breakdown fats and grease. The liquid waste flows to the soakaway where further degradation occurs.
Since the activity in the septic tank is based on a natural biological process it is prone to upsets. A wide range of chemicals such as detergents, bleaches, disinfectants and caustic cleaning chemicals can cause upsets to the biological activity in a septic tank system. Since the biological activity in a septic tank is anaerobic it operates at a very slow rate. Therefore any upsets will take a long time to be restored if left to nature.
The types of problems caused by poorly operating septic tanks are:
The traditional solution is to pump out the tank and transport the material to the nearest wastewater treatment plant for treatment. This is not always easy to organise especially for emergency pump outs and it is inconvenient for the local authority. BFL SeptaClean harnesses the power of environmental biotechnology to solve the problems of poorly functioning septic tanks. The product works in harmony with the natural biological process and quickly restores efficient performance.
Other types of systems where BFL SeptaClean can be successfully used include Imhoff tanks and cess pools.
The benefits of treatment with BFL SeptaClean are:
What is BFL SeptaClean?
BFL SeptaClean contains a blend of natural micro-organisms that have been specially selected for their ability to degrade the three main constituents of domestic effluent - proteins, carbohydrates and fats. This degradation process is conducted by a broad range of enzymes which are produced by the bacteria. These bacteria are facultative meaning that they can operate under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Since they have this ability they grow and develop much faster than the anaerobic bacteria and are more efficient in degrading waste material in a septic tank. The end products of anaerobic activity include noxious gases such as hydrogen sulphide and methane. However BFL SeptaClean does not produce odour causing compounds and, therefore, the results are much less offensive and more amenable to pleasant surroundings.
The soakaway will also benefit as there will be more efficient breakdown of scum and other organics. This leads to a significant reduction in the carryover of solids so that the soakaway remains clear.
The bacterial cultures are produced as individual pure cultures, harvested, stabilised on a cereal base and blended to produce the final product.
Product safety
The micro-organisms in BFL SeptaClean have been isolated from natural environments. These strains have not been genetically modified in any way. The microbial strains in the product have been classified as being harmless to humans, animals and plants. The product is subjected to independent testing to ensure that it is free of Salmonella and other contaminants. It contains no corrosive chemicals, caustics or acids. It will not damage drains or sewage systems.
For further information on dosing programmes and product application please contact :
Technical Department, BioFuture Ltd., 62C Heather Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Foxrock, Dublin 18, Ireland. Phone: +353-1-2149749 Fax: +353-1-2149767 E-mail: info@biofuture.ie
