by Erik Rumbaugh | Feb 10, 2026 | Bioaugmentation, Biological Nutrient Removal, Wastewater Microbiome, Wastewater Organisms
Wastewater treatment professionals are increasingly leveraging microbial community analysis to optimize plant performance. Among the diverse microbial genera present, Paracoccus stands out for its multifaceted contributions to nitrogen and sulfur cycling, as well as...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Jan 29, 2026 | Uncategorized
Deflocculation is one of those operational problems that can turn a perfectly healthy activated sludge system into a cloudy, turbid mess. Instead of forming tight, settleable flocs, biomass disperses into fine particles that slip through clarifiers, raise effluent...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Jan 20, 2026 | Uncategorized
For decades, wastewater treatment has relied on the traditional “Bardenpho” approach: Nitrification followed by Denitrification. While reliable, this process is energy-intensive and often requires costly external carbon sources. As we push toward...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Jan 15, 2026 | Uncategorized
We’re breaking down common misconceptions about activated sludge, nitrification, and process control that might be costing you money and stability. As wastewater professionals, we operate at the intersection of rigorous engineering and chaotic biology. Because...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Jan 8, 2026 | Uncategorized
Lowering dissolved oxygen (DO) below 2 mg/L in aerobic wastewater treatment can reduce aeration energy costs, but it risks impairing nitrification (ammonia oxidation) and subsequent denitrification (nitrate/nitrite removal), leading to poor ammonia and total nitrogen...
