How Does It Work
How Econocycle AWTS Treats Wastewater Efficiently
Our Services
- Aerated Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS)
- Septic Tanks
- Commercial Maxi Tanks
- Domestic Treament Plants
- HSTP
- Collection Wells
- Pumpout Combos
- Pumpwells
- Lids & Risers
- Rainwater Harvesting System
- Onsite Detention Tanks
- Firefighting tanks
- Service & Maintenance
- Spare Parts
Here's a general overview of how our wastewater treatment unit operates, whether using a single or dual-tank system.
The wastewater unit works on the combined principles of primary setting plus aerobic and tertiary treatment. As you can see in the diagram below all your household wastewater and effluent enters the tank through the inlet shown on the left hand side of the tank. This settles into the septic zone.
Towards the top of the baffle wall which separates the septic and aeration compartments, there is an outlet which enables the effluent to trickle into the aeration treatment zone. From this the effluent is filtered over a mass of growth media plates. The growth media acts as a bacteria breeding ground which sounds quite nasty but is actually a very important and proficient function of the wastewater unit. The growth media enables the sewerage to break down.
Once the organic impurities have been absorbed within the aerobic culture of microorganisms, the water passes to the clarification zone. At this stage the water has been recycled into clean, clear, odourless water. The clarification zone is the secondary sedimentation process.
Step 1 Primary Treatment (Settling Tank)
Raw effluent enters the first tank/chamber where the solids settle to the bottom.
Step 2 Aeration (Secondary Treatment)
The liquid effluent then flows into the second chamber where it is mixed with air so bacteria can eat more of the solids in the liquid.
Step 3 Clarification
From here the effluent flows into a third chamber where the solids still in the liquid will settle at the bottom. These solids will be sent back to the first chamber. The wastewater flows into the last chamber where it is treated with a disinfectant, usually chlorine.
Step 4 Effluent Disposal or Reuse
The treated water is then discharged safely into a designated area, such as an irrigation field, or reused in compliance with local guidelines.
Before the water is released from the tank it is circulated through the chlorinator, which as its name suggests is a chlorine based chamber that acts as a final back-up and safeguard to catch and kill any nasties that may have escaped through the aeration and clarification process.
The free residual chlorine concentrations are greater than 0.2 mg/L, and less than 2.0 mg/L.
This is a special graded chlorine so that when pumped into the garden any residual chlorine breaks down rapidly and allows for excellent plant growth. Chlorine tablets are replenished at quarterly service intervals, and is the only chemical used in the process.
Our wastewater units come in your choice of either a one or two tank concrete constructed unit, or a lightweight plastic unit.
The one tank unit fits the entire system compactly into one large tank. The two tank unit separates the septic zone into one tank and the aeration clarification and chlorinator in the other tank. All units have a minimum ten person capacity.