Limiting PFAS in wastewater will be a challenge. After all, these substances do not break down in the environment. At the same time, industries are dealing with tighter discharge limits on nitrogen, phosphorus and other contaminants.

Regulations to protect the environment and public health and safety often encourage innovation, and that is exactly what industry needs to solve these real-world problems.

It was only 50 years ago that a South African civil engineer by the name of James Barnard began to consider ways to use microorganisms — biology — to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from used water. Up until then, the standard practice was to use chemicals to remove these nutrients.

Today, biological nutrient removal is used in thousands of wastewater treatment plants around the world in many varied climates. Barnard’s discovery has sparked new concepts of nutrient removal and water reuse, pioneered by advancements in biotechnology.

Bioaugmentation is the practice of adding actively growing, specialized microbial strains that can enhance treatment performance, as well as help biodegrade recalcitrant molecules in the polluted environment. These beneficial microorganisms are the vitamin supplements of the wastewater industry.

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