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 | Apr 24, 2025 | Wastewater Procedure, Wastewater Testing, Wastewater Troubleshooting
Wastewater treatment plants are complex ecosystems with many forms of microscopic life. While bacteria are the primary workhorses, breaking down pollutants, a diverse community of other microorganisms, particularly protozoa, plays a crucial role. These tiny creatures...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Aug 1, 2024 | Wastewater Monitoring, Wastewater Procedure, Wastewater Testing
Wastewater MLSS or MLVSS is often call the “microbes” or amount of working biomass in a treatment system. However, MLVSS is just the weight of volatile solids in the system rather than any direct measure of living/working biomass. MLVSS consists of living and dead...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Apr 8, 2024 | Wastewater Procedure
Dissolved Oxygen Uptake Rate (DOUR) and Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR) are often used to monitor biological system health on a daily basis. When used frequently, oxygen uptake rates show changes in bacteria growth/respiration rates. I have included the protocol...
