What is a Media Filter?
A media filter, also referred to as a packed bed filter, uses some form of material (sand, glass, peat moss, synthetic textile) to act as both a filter, and as a place to grow bacteria. These systems may be single pass, meaning that they pass the sewage through them one time, or multi-pass, meaning that they recirculate a certain percentage of the sewage back to the treatment tank to be treated and filtered again. An advantage to this type of treatment system is that it produces a consistent high quality effluent that may be so clear that you would think it is water. The system usually has several mechanical components, including one or two pumps, some form of control to dose the filter equally over a 24 hour period, and some form of counter that tells the service provider how often and how long the pump or dosing siphon has operated. The type of media or material used, should allow for air movement through the material, and should remain moist, but not saturated. If you see this type
