Fixed Film Biofilter Technology (FFBT) at Residential Household Building, Sangli City, Maharashtra

Location: Sangli City, Maharastra
Year of Implentation: 2010
Green area Irrigated: 240 sq. m

Designed Capacity: 1 KLD
Area: 2.8 sq.m
Capital cost :  Rs. 35,000
O&M:  Rs. 800-1000 (per annum)
Savings: Rs.10000 (per annum)

On Dhamli road of Sangli City is the residence of Mr. Shripad Khire. His family comprises of four members. All the houses in the locality is not connected to any municipal sewer network and rely on individual septic tanks and soak pits. This individual building is connected to a Fixed Film Bioreactor Technology (FFBT) that treats the wastewater generated in the building and makes it reusable for gardening.

The technology aims at bio- degradation of the wastewater contaminants by providing sufficient surface area required for the growth of micro-organism (microbial culture) for optimum time duration. The retention time ensures maximum microbial growth which consumes the contaminants from the wastewater and breaks them down as a part of their food cycle.

The Fixed Film Biofilter Technolgy is a wastewater treatment process popular among the individual house owners. FFBT at Mr.Khire’s house is of 1 KLD capacity. The wastewater from four toilets, bathrooms and kitchen enter into the 2 equalisation tanks followed by the filter chamber of dimension 1.2m x 1.2m and a depth of 0.8m. The biofilter consists of PVC material and the outlet pipes of each chamber are placed diagonally, opposite to the inlet pipes of the same chamber. This arrangement avoids back flow of the wastewater. The final treated wastewater is then collected into a sump where the water is pumped out for the maintaining the garden

The FFBT treatment system at this residential building has been functioning since 2010. The treatment efficiency and overall performance of the system is being regularly monitored from the government approved laboratory.

The results demonstrate almost 99% organic material removal that showcases an efficient system. The treated water is clean, no odour, no smell and is fit to meet the watering requirements of 240sq.m land- plantation and landscaping. The project implementation and satisfaction of the owner is creating awareness.