Microbial Biofilm Reactor for Sustained Waste Water Treatment and Reuse

Freshwater scarcity is a global problem that pertains to the ever-increasing population, contamination of freshwater by wastewater generated from different anthropogenic sources as well as misuse of freshwater for secondary (non-potable) applications. Later two issues could be addressed through the appropriate implementation of Microbial Technology in an eco-friendly way. The application will involve proper selection of the wastewater sources (for microbial isolation), their pollutant identification, selection of tailor made bacterial consortium/ isolates for treatment of the wastewater and converting the waste into reusable by-product. This is the current trend used for pilot scale wastewater treatment using biofilm bioreactors. This article talks about the few successful case studies implemented for different types of wastewater treatment (municipal/Agricultural runoff, petrochemical, tannery/mining industry and milk processing plant wastewater) in biofilm reactors that could run for years after being installed in the pilot scale. The processes are faster, sludge free and, in most cases, ensure complete reuse of treated water, hence preventing wastage of freshwater for non-potable applications. Biofilm based system makes them resistant to external perturbation, stable with enhanced efficiency. Through this approach, eco-friendly processes of wastewater treatment could be made self-sustainable.