Grant: Engage Grants Program

We are evaluating how a novel wastewater polisher, the Submerged Attached Growth Reactor (SAGR), can*remove polar chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and*pesticides. SAGR is a technology developed by Nexom for improving wastewater treatment in small*communities using lagoon wastewater treatment technology. Lagoons often provide limited removal of*nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), suspended solids, biochemical demand, coliform bacteria, and other*traditional wastewater contaminants. Given increasingly more stringent wastewater standards, it is imperative*that effective but economical and easy-to-use treatment technologies be developed. SAGR consists of a*fully-aerated course gravel bed that is insulated. This promotes the growth of beneficial nitrifying bacteria that*remove ammonia under all weather conditions, especially cold temperatures in winter that limit bacterial*growth and therefore treatment efficiency. In previous tests, SAGR has been shown to be extremely effective*at removing traditional wastewater contaminants to levels below current Canadian standards. The bacterial*populations are also likely to remove polar CECs as well, which can also be a hazard to human and ecosystem*health and are beginning to be regulated in other jurisdictions. Our collaboration with Nexom will evaluate*SAGR at eliminating polar CECs at two model installations in Manitoba First Nations communities. This*work will help to improve water quality for the many Canadians living in rural communities with limited*infrastructure for wastewater treatment.