ATU / SBR Systems

Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs) are similar to standard septic systems in that they use natural processes to treat
wastewater. But unlike conventional systems, ATUs also use oxygen to break down organic matter, much the same
as a municipal wastewater treatment system, but in a scaled-down version. These systems are commonly found
in rural areas where public sewers are not available, and may be used for a single residence or for a small group of
homes. Because ATUs decompose organic solids quickly, the wastewater leaving the system is cleaner. This aerobic
treatment process produces a high quality secondary effluent, which can be sterilized and used for surface irrigation.
This allows much greater flexibility in the placement of the leach field, as well as cutting the required size of the
leach field by as much as half. These units are useful in environmentally sensitive areas or locations that are less
suitable for conventional or gravity flow septic systems, such as inappropriate soil conditions where the water table
is too high to allow the drain field to operate effectively.
There are three basic ATU operation styles: 1) suspended growth, 2) fixed-film reactor, and 3) sequencing batch
reactor. All three types usually have a septic tank (sometimes called a trash tank) ahead of them that removes the
large solids and provides some protection to the ATU.

Suspended Growth ATU

The most common household ATU is the suspended growth. These units have a main treatment chamber where
bacteria are free-floating and air is bubbled through the liquid. The second chamber where the solids settle out is
separated from the main tank by a wall or baffle. The two chambers are connected at the bottom or by a pump, and
settled bacteria from the second chamber are brought back into the main treatment chamber. It is this process of
return and mixing that is important for effective operation.

Fixed-film Reactor ATU

A fixed-film reactor has bacteria growing on a specific surface medium and air is provided to that part of the tank.
The bacteria can grow on any surface including fabric, plastic, styrofoam, and gravel. Decomposition is limited to
this area, and settling occurs in a second chamber. This design is expensive, but the effluent is of consistently high
quality. There is no need for a return mechanism because the bacteria stay on the film.

Sequencing Batch Reactors ATU

In sequencing batch reactors (SBR), aerobic decomposition, settling, and return occur in the same chamber. Air is
bubbled through the liquid during the decomposition cycle. The bubbler shuts off, and the wastewater goes through
a settling cycle. Once the bubbler turns back on, the tank re-enters the decomposition cycle, and settled bacteria
mixes back into the aerobic environment. After settling of bacteria and solids, the treated effluent is discharged to
the soil treatment system. Bacteria settle out more consistently in this kind of tank, but since it has more moving
parts and requires a controller, it has more potential for mechanical and electrical failure.