• unsuitable operating conditions, for example poor aeration levels (once the problem has been corrected)

• or where bacterial growth has been suppressed or even eliminated, by the use of disinfectant and antibacterial products in the household

• or where the bacterial population is dominated by particular types of undesirable bacteria such as Nicardia floating froth/scum, filamentous bacteria or those types common in ‘sludge bulking’ in Ozzi Kleen activated sludge systems

All household wastewater treatment systems rely on beneficial bacteria to process and treat the wastewater they receive. While a bacterial additive program is not a ‘magic bullet’ or miracle cure, it will often assist the recovery of a system that may other wise take many months to recover.

A bacterial additive program is best started immediately after a system has been completely pumped out. That way the new ‘good’ bacteria do not have to compete with a huge number of ‘bad’ or unsuitable/poorly performing bacteria. An additive program can be used on a system currently in use, but the additive will take a lot longer to have an effect.

A bacterial additive program will not correct mechanical deficiencies such as poor levels of aeration or problems due to pumps or blockages where the contents of different compartments of the treatment system may undesirably get mixed together. These types of problems should be rectified before starting an additive program.

A number of different types of bacterial additive products are available on the market. Of all the bacterial additive products we have trialled we have found VRM products which contain EM (which stands for Effective Microorganisms ©) and other beneficial mico-orgamisms to be the most effective. We have trialled VRM products in both aerated wastewater treatment systems such as Biocycle and Aquanova systems and in activated sludge type systems such as Ozzi Kleen and have had good results.

VRM Cleaners and Additives

VRM Cleaners contain beneficial microorganisms to enhance the operation of your treatment system or tank. This means better water treatment and less smell and sludge problems. The Odour Control Concentrate is also used as a pro-biotic cleaner, Click Here to purchase (A new window will open for Smellgone our Associated Company which sells VRM based products).

Follow the instructions on the bottle of concentrate to make up the solution you will actually use. Make up a spray bottle, one for each bathroom in the house, plus one for the kitchen and one for the laundry. That way you will always have a one close to hand.

Instructions For Use

1. For general cleaning with either the Lemon scented Citrus Cleaner or the Heavy Duty Power Cleaner, dilute 1:10, that is, 50 ml of concentrate in 500 ml of water.
2. For odour control use the Lemon scented Citrus Cleaner , dilute 1:100, that is 5 ml of concentrate in 500 ml of water.

Store all VRM products somewhere cool, but not in the refrigerator. Anywhere too cold or too hot will kill the bacteria in the stock or made up spray.

Odour Control Powder (OCP)

OCP is a fermented rice bran product. The bran provides a growth medium for the beneficial VRM micro-organisms to thrive on. OCP is useful in controlling odours and in adding a good dose of beneficial bacteria to a septic tank or compartment. It is a good additive for grease traps. In a septic tank it can assist in forming a ‘crust’ which helps a septic tank to operate better and generally with less smell.

OCP should not be added to a the aerated tank or compartment of an aerated wastewater treatment system (Biocycle, Aquanova etc) as it floats and generally gets washed all the way through the system, with little effect. In an activated sludge type system such as an Ozzi Kleen, it can however be added to the main treatment tank and will often help control smells, provide that aeration levels are still effective. It is not an alternative to a correctly aerating and operating system.

OCP can be used at a rate of 250 g per m2 of surface area

• Septic tanks, scatter 4-6 good handfuls over the surface of the tank, repeat in 2-4 weeks time, thereafter once a month for 3 months or so.

• Septic compartment of for example a Biocycle system, scatter 3-4 good handfuls at the same frequency as for a septic tank.

• Grease trap, scatter 1-2 handfuls as above.

• Ozzi Kleen system, where there is an odour problem, scatter 2 handfuls into the main treatment tank, whilst it is aerating, once a day for five days.

Specialist Bacterial Additive Products

We can treat a wide range of wastewater and odour problems with our range of bacterial additive products and technologies. Please click here to visit the website of our associated company Smellgone for information on the management of water quality and odours associated with wastewater, composting, pets, livestock and food processing.

General Comments

Any bacterial additive program may not work in every system. The type, age, use and history of a system along with the cleaning, laundry and eating habits of the household have a very significant effect on the operation of any wastewater treatment system. However, the old idea of all bacteria being ‘bad’ is now being rethought and the use of ‘beneficial bacteria’ in situations such as wastewater treatment is being more common.

Conditions have to be appropriate and suitable for the beneficial bacteria to survive and thrive. You can not continue to use bleach, Napisan, Domestos, Pine-o-Clean etc as they will kill off or severely effect the new beneficial bacteria just as quickly as they killed off the original tank bacteria.

Like wise, the most beneficial ’aerobic’ bacteria require good levels of oxygen to do their job well. A poorly operating aerator or blocked diffuser or air pipe will severely limit the operation and effectiveness of any wastewater treatment system.