All food and beverage processors are faced with changing production schedules and product which, combined with cleaning and sanitization programs, generate highly variable process flows and wastewater quality. In the design or optimization of an effluent treatment system, one must account for the full variance of these characteristics, and consider incorporating technologies that perform better under fluctuating conditions. Different products and production processes may generate starches, fats, oils and grease, sugars and salts (dissolved solids), in addition to traditional wastewater constituents. 

In order to meet effluent requirements, the wastewater process flows, characteristics and loadings are typically treated with a combination of physical, chemical and biological steps. Before primary treatment for solids and FOG removal (if present), equalization will help to homogenize the waste stream and lessen the impact of peak conditions. Depending upon the nutrient removal and effluent quality produced by the biological (secondary) treatment, a tertiary filtration step is often employed to reduce Total Suspended Solids and to meet low total phosphorus limits. Some watersheds stipulate TP well below 1 mg/L, which will utilize precipitation chemistry.

Aqua-Aerobic pile cloth media filtration has become the technology of choice due to its simple operation, small footprint, and high forward flow to backwash ratio. The family of pile cloth media filters, available in several configurations including AquaDisk, AquaPrime and others, features OptiFiber media capable of producing consistent effluent water quality. 

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