Use of Artificial Media in Biological Treatment System

Abstract

Water is one of the most important elements involved in the creation and development of healthy life. Since water is such a vital resource for survival of both plants and animals, it is our responsibility to manage this resource, not only as a social, industrial and commercial good but also for the sustainable benefit of all present and future living matter. With the introduction of stringent effluent standards it is the responsibility of wastewater engineer to treat the wastewater to satisfy the requirements of receiving body. Current and future fresh water demand could be met by enhancing water use efficiency and demand management. Thus, wastewater/low quality water is emerging as potential source for demand management after essential treatment. Biological treatment is an important and integral part of any wastewater treatment plant that treats wastewater from either municipality or industry having soluble organic impurities or a mix of the two types of wastewater sources. This paper reviews the use of artificial media for domestic wastewater treatment. Research on alternate filtration media, has expanded the options available for improving effluent quality. This paper intends to provide an overall vision of the use of artificial media as an alternative for natural media.