by Erik Rumbaugh | Dec 16, 2025 | Wastewater Monitoring, Wastewater Procedure, Wastewater Testing
When most people think of a wastewater treatment plant, they picture heavy machinery, massive concrete tanks, and complex piping. But the most important “technology” on-site isn’t made of steel—it’s alive. At its heart, wastewater treatment is a...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Dec 1, 2025 | Anaerobic digester, Biomass Optimization, Wastewater Monitoring, Wastewater Procedure, Wastewater Troubleshooting
Biological wastewater treatment is powered by microorganisms. Just like us, these tiny workers need a balanced diet to stay healthy and perform their job—breaking down pollutants. Their diet consists of macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients, each playing a vital role in...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Aug 6, 2025 | Wastewater Monitoring, Wastewater Procedure, Wastewater Troubleshooting
🧠 When biomass whispers, OUR listens. Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR) is the microbial pulse check every operator should have in their back pocket. Measured with a simple dissolved oxygen (D.O.) meter in a BOD bottle, OUR reveals how actively the biological community is...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Jul 27, 2025 | Uncategorized, Wastewater Microbiome, Wastewater Monitoring, Wastewater Testing
The Shannon Diversity Index (H’) is a widely used metric in ecology to quantify the biodiversity of a community. In the context of wastewater treatment, it measures the diversity and evenness of microbial species within the activated sludge biomass. This...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Jul 22, 2025 | Biomass Optimization, Wastewater Monitoring, Wastewater Testing, Wastewater Troubleshooting
Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) are the heart of biological wastewater treatment—and how well they settle can make or break plant efficiency. Poor settleability leads to solids carryover, elevated TSS in effluent, and headaches for operators. Fortunately, there...
by Erik Rumbaugh | May 8, 2025 | Wastewater Microbiome, Wastewater Monitoring, Wastewater Testing
Microbial communities play a crucial role in wastewater treatment, helping break down organic pollutants, remove nutrients, and support overall ecosystem health. When analyzing these environmental cultures, researchers use molecular tools like Next-Generation...
