Posting this here because it's important
Interesting video on wastewater treatment. Government answer to the septic tank. Doesn't make sense to me to consolidate so much nutrient in one place. Better to treat at the source with septic tanks to minimize concentrations. The processes they are using mimic what happens in the soil.
Septic tanks would provide way more oxygen per mass of ammonia to be removed as well. Would also keep the microbes temperature up as the ground will insulate against the cold.
Soil will also trap and filter out any solubilized organic matter that has yet to undergo decomposition.
Downside is septic tanks won't work in wetlands. The soil must drain for the bacteria to have sufficient oxygen.
Not sure what the big deal is with septic tanks, money making ploy for local government, overly concerned government employee, failed older tanks in the past? We had septic tanks on the farm I grew up on and never a problem.
Had a well for water and everything. I think it was a 500' well but not sure, was the best water you ever tasted. No added chemicals, chlorine, chloramine, flouride and all the other stuff they add to tap water (which could be a problem with nitrification). No weird algae taste in the summer either.
No worries of spillover in the event of heavy rains like with citywide sewer systems. Maybe a small amount of infiltration through roof vents but that's a tiny amount.
Could till the sludge into the topsoil of the lawn when draining the tank (about every 7 years or so) to add organic matter to the soil. This would effectively be a zero emission home.
Food waste should also be disposed of in the same manner (added to septic tank or dug into lawn soil).
Mycorrhizal fungi, earthworms and other critters help move the nutrient around in the soil exposing it to more oxygen and bacteria.
There is no way in the short amount of time the water flows through the plant for all the ammonium to be converted. It takes years for organic decomposition to happen. The unreacted ammonium is then discharged into the nearest river where it flows back to the ocean. Oceanic death. Global warming.
Thank You