Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

In areas with low population densities wastewater treatment most often occurs close to the source of the discharged water, regardless of environmental considerations such as elevation or soil type. Treatment is often further complicated in these areas as the nearest centralized system may be too far away to access, or may be at or near treatment capacity. Depending on where the effluent discharge point is regulations around treatment and effluent requirements vary. Decentralized systems with fixed film processes are often the preferred treatment system in these areas due to their ability to effectively and efficiently treat wastewater. Make-Way Environmental Technologies Inc. is an Ontario-based company that distribute environmentally friendly sewage treatment systems including the EcoPod Series. The EcoPod is an onsite system that uses a fixed film process to convert wastewater into clear, odour-free effluent. With its current design the EcoPod reduces organic matter, suspended solids and nitrogen (up to 53%) from raw wastewater. The primary objective of this project is to assist the company with the re-design of the existing EcoPod system through the introduction of a denitrification unit in order to maximize nitrogen removal (up to 95%) on a consistent basis and at a minimal cost. Validation of this improved system will be confirmed through water quality analysis performed on samples throughout the treatment process over a 19 week period. The results of this applied research will improve Make-Way's market position and technical credibility.