How does the Waterloo Biofilter work?
The Waterloo Biofilter is an aerobic trickling filter that uses an absorbent synthetic filter material developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo and first installed in Ontario in 1991. At this time is was a case-by-case approval system. In August of 1996 the OMOEE approved it, and the MMAH incorporated this approval into the OBC in 1998. Septic tank effluent is applied intermittently to the top of the filter media. The synthetic media is a support for microbiological growth, and these microorganisms are responsible for the aerobic breakdown of the wastewater. Effluent from the biofilter is suitable for discharge into shallow buried trenches, or a conventional leaching bed or filter bed (although the footprint of the bed may be reduced). The Waterloo Biofilter also has a BMEC authorization to use an area bed dispersal system (see FAQ 10),and this is used in the majority of their installation. This system is often used on sites that have a limited area available (not enough
