Why Wastewater Turns Septic—and What It Means for Treatment Plants

by Erik Rumbaugh | Sep 16, 2025 | Uncategorized

Wastewater treatment is a complex process that relies on a delicate balance of physical, chemical, and biological factors. At the heart of most conventional wastewater treatment plants are microorganisms that break down organic waste. However, when this balance is...

💧 Why Influent TKN Matters More Than Just Ammonia in Wastewater Treatment

by Erik Rumbaugh | Sep 3, 2025 | Uncategorized

When it comes to nitrogen monitoring in wastewater, ammonia often steals the spotlight. But if you’re only tracking ammonia, you’re missing a critical piece of the puzzle: Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN). TKN includes both ammonia and organic nitrogen—and...

The Hidden Universe: Understanding Microbial Dark Matter

by Erik Rumbaugh | Aug 29, 2025 | Uncategorized

Ever wondered what we’re missing in the microbial world? Just like astronomical dark matter makes up most of our universe but remains largely mysterious, microbial dark matter represents the hidden majority of life on Earth – over 99% of microbial species...

Optimizing Anaerobic Digesters: Evaluating Performance and Ensuring Biological Vitality

by Erik Rumbaugh | Aug 24, 2025 | Anaerobic digester, Biomass Optimization, Wastewater Testing, Wastewater Troubleshooting

Anaerobic digesters are marvels of sustainable technology, transforming organic waste—like manure, food scraps, and sewage—into renewable energy in the form of biogas while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. At their core, these systems rely on a complex community of...

The Battle Against Resistant Bacterial Biofilms in Cooling Towers

by Erik Rumbaugh | Aug 19, 2025 | Biofilms

Pseudomonas bacteria are proving to be formidable opponents in industrial cooling towers, rapidly developing resistance to glutaraldehyde biocides that were once highly effective. Here’s what’s happening: The Challenge: Pseudomonas species possess...