T E C H N I C A L U P D AT E

This Issue’s Special:

Winter 2008 1.888.757.9577 • www.teamaquafix.com • bugman@teamaquafix.com Receive 10% savings through February 29 on VitaStim Nitrifiers just by
mentioning this newsletter.
Our nitrifiers are shipped next day air and refrigerated upon receipt.
T E C H N I C A L U P D AT E

Surfactants in Wastewater
Of concern for some time is how the use of surfactants (surface activating agents) in wastewater
affects a biological process. Surfactants can be difficult to break down, they can cause poor
settling, fluffy foaming, dispersion of floc, high BOD in the effluent, and toxicity to nitrifiers.
When a wastewater plant has problems with surfactants it is most likely caused by its use as
a cleaner or formulation in an industrial setting. In this case we either oxidize it or degrade it
through our VitaStim 4001 which specifically degrades this chemistry.
Ammonia in Wastewater
Ammonia is a key macronutrient in the growth and reproduction of bacteria in wastewater
plants. Some industrial plants like dairies or paper plants have too little ammonia and need to
supplement its addition. We help many industries balance ammonia levels and the bacteria are
much happier. If you need a nutrient balance, give us a call.
Others, like landfills, meat processors, and to a lesser degree, municipalities, have too much
ammonia and must maximize nitrification to get it out of the system.
Under the Nitrification Cycle
Ammonia in Lagoons
In a lagoon, once the water temperature drops below 55 degrees it makes it hard to keep the ammonia down.
Covering a pond helps, but through using our Polar Blend and products like our OxyPaks XL we have been able to
keep ammonia minimal. The best way to keep ammonia down is to keep the lagoons clean of buildup. Using our
VitaStim Pond Products in the summer and Polar Blend in the winter will help with this.
Lift Station and Sewer Line
Grease Control
For every one pound of grease that builds up in your lift station,
10 pounds can build up in the sewer line. During the winter grease will
set up harder as it is less soluble. Our 5Alive and Grease Buster are two
great products to keep them clean. You can view more products
at www.teamaquafix.com.

1. Organic nitrogen is converted to ammonia by heterotrophic organisms

Nitrogen Compounds NH3 5Alive cleans your pipes.
2. Ammonia is converted to nitrites by Nitrosomonas
NH3 NO2
3. Nitrite to nitrate by Nitrobacter
NO2 NO3 Introducing Tonia
Our customer support person, Tonia, will now be
4. Nitrate to N2 gas which goes off into the atmosphere answering the incoming calls. Tonia will take orders and
NO3 N2 tell you when to expect a shipment. Tonia also updates
our website, so if you ever have a question about
something you saw on www.teamaquafix.com, feel
Nitrifying bacteria are extremely sensitive and below 55 degrees they sustain but do not thrive.
free to ask her. If you need to speak with Kevin about a
They are strict aerobes and use carbonate alkalinity as a food source. They do not use BOD as
technical issue, call his cell phone at 608.347.7127.
part of their life cycle. When temperatures get cold they get especially sensitive to toxic hits. Our
VitaStim Polar Blend and our VitaStim Nitrifiers are useful to keep ammonia low in the winter. If
your plant loses nitrification, call and we will guide you through restarting.

1.888.757.9577 • www.teamaquafix.com • bugman@teamaquafix.com

over
 T E C H N I C A L U P D AT E

This Issue’s Special:

Winter 2008 1.888.757.9577 • www.teamaquafix.com • bugman@teamaquafix.com Receive 10% savings through February 29 on VitaStim Nitrifiers just by
mentioning this newsletter.
Our nitrifiers are shipped next day air and refrigerated upon receipt.
T E C H N I C A L U P D AT E

Surfactants in Wastewater
Of concern for some time is how the use of surfactants (surface activating agents) in wastewater
affects a biological process. Surfactants can be difficult to break down, they can cause poor
settling, fluffy foaming, dispersion of floc, high BOD in the effluent, and toxicity to nitrifiers.
When a wastewater plant has problems with surfactants it is most likely caused by its use as
a cleaner or formulation in an industrial setting. In this case we either oxidize it or degrade it
through our VitaStim 4001 which specifically degrades this chemistry.
Ammonia in Wastewater
Ammonia is a key macronutrient in the growth and reproduction of bacteria in wastewater
plants. Some industrial plants like dairies or paper plants have too little ammonia and need to
supplement its addition. We help many industries balance ammonia levels and the bacteria are
much happier. If you need a nutrient balance, give us a call.
Others, like landfills, meat processors, and to a lesser degree, municipalities, have too much
ammonia and must maximize nitrification to get it out of the system.
Under the Nitrification Cycle
Ammonia in Lagoons
In a lagoon, once the water temperature drops below 55 degrees it makes it hard to keep the ammonia down.
Covering a pond helps, but through using our Polar Blend and products like our OxyPaks XL we have been able to
keep ammonia minimal. The best way to keep ammonia down is to keep the lagoons clean of buildup. Using our
VitaStim Pond Products in the summer and Polar Blend in the winter will help with this.
Lift Station and Sewer Line
Grease Control
For every one pound of grease that builds up in your lift station,
10 pounds can build up in the sewer line. During the winter grease will
set up harder as it is less soluble. Our 5Alive and Grease Buster are two
great products to keep them clean. You can view more products
at www.teamaquafix.com.

1. Organic nitrogen is converted to ammonia by heterotrophic organisms

Nitrogen Compounds NH3 5Alive cleans your pipes.
2. Ammonia is converted to nitrites by Nitrosomonas
NH3 NO2
3. Nitrite to nitrate by Nitrobacter
NO2 NO3 Introducing Tonia
Our customer support person, Tonia, will now be
4. Nitrate to N2 gas which goes off into the atmosphere answering the incoming calls. Tonia will take orders and
NO3 N2 tell you when to expect a shipment. Tonia also updates
our website, so if you ever have a question about
something you saw on www.teamaquafix.com, feel
Nitrifying bacteria are extremely sensitive and below 55 degrees they sustain but do not thrive.
free to ask her. If you need to speak with Kevin about a
They are strict aerobes and use carbonate alkalinity as a food source. They do not use BOD as
technical issue, call his cell phone at 608.347.7127.
part of their life cycle. When temperatures get cold they get especially sensitive to toxic hits. Our
VitaStim Polar Blend and our VitaStim Nitrifiers are useful to keep ammonia low in the winter. If
your plant loses nitrification, call and we will guide you through restarting.

1.888.757.9577 • www.teamaquafix.com • bugman@teamaquafix.com

over