108:(USEPA) produced a fact sheet on the use of pit additives to improve the performance of septic tank treatment systems. The fact sheet concludes that bacteria and extracellular enzymes do not appear to significantly enhance normal biological decomposition processes in septic tanks. They go on to say that ‘some biological additives have been found to degrade or dissipate septic tank scum and sludge. However, whether this relatively minor benefit is derived without compromising long-term viability of the soil infiltration system has not been demonstrated conclusively’. They noted that some studies suggest that material degraded by additives in the tank actually adds to the suspended solids and other contaminants in the otherwise clarified septic tank effluent.
195:, although standard BORDA designs provide more chambers, arranged in series and with all after the first chamber operating in an upward flow mode. The baffled reactor design is one of a number of ‘DEWATS’ (decentralised wastewater treatment systems) wastewater treatment technologies promoted by BORDA. All operate anaerobically and are examples of what might be termed enhanced primary treatment. If maintained well, enhanced primary treatment modules should perform better than a well maintained conventional septic tank but will still produce an effluent with high pathogen levels and relatively high biological oxygen demand and suspended solids concentrations.
179:). Their results for the septic tanks showed a homogenization of conditions in the tanks after application of septic tank additives, which they suggested was due to domination by a particular type of micro-organism. However, they found no reduction in suspended solids concentration in the effluent and concluded that there were not sufficient changes in sludge volume in the wastewater treatment plant or suspended solids in the septic tanks to indicate a clear benefit from the use of these kinds of additives in wastewater.
191:(OPP) has been making use of pit additives. The OPP promotes a treatment technology comprising a two-chamber tank. The first of these acts like the first compartment of a septic tank while the second is filled with gravel to provide filtration. It is not clear whether flow through the second compartment is upward or downward. This arrangement has some similarities to baffled reactor designs promoted by the German NGO
20:
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The available evidence suggests that any lasting effect of pit additives is dependent on regular application of the microorganisms combined with good maintenance of the treatment technology. This will require (a) a reliable supply chain for the pit additive and (b) management systems that ensure that
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Pit additive claims include an increase in speed of the breakdown of sludge, which may also decrease odor. The claim is based on assertions that the additive contains nutrients or certain aerobic (oxygen-breathing) micro-organisms that will break down the sludge. Research, however, finds that these
202:
During discussions at the Urban
Resource Centre in Karachi in late 2011, the late Parveen Rehman of OPP stated that adding pit additives to the inlet chamber of these treatment facilities had resulted in improved effluent quality and a significant reduction in smell. However, it seems that OPP had
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Only well-maintained septic tanks showed some reduction in sludge build-up. To determine if the reduction could be attributed to pit additives, a follow-up study investigated the impact of three additives on just the well-maintained septic tanks. Overall, the research concluded there was limited
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The OPP is using the additives to improve the effluent produced at these small treatment plants, including the plant that treats effluent from a nursery in
Karachi. It has also supported the installation of several small treatment plants using EM technology in rural Sindh and Punjab. Its partner
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Researchers from the U.S. carried out field experiments in 2011 to assess the effect of additives on the performance of 20 septic tanks. These septic tanks served residences at a mobile home park located in Orange County, North
Carolina. The researchers distinguished between tanks that were well
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and a number of septic tanks. Their aim was to test the hypothesis that the additive reduces sludge volumes. They found significant reduction in pH levels at the wastewater treatment plant together with improved settlement of sludge but with a significant increase in organic matter (measured as
133:
One short note claims that microorganisms in the additives contain various organic acids due to the presence of lactic acid bacteria. These secrete organic acids, enzymes antioxidants, and metallic chelates thus create an antioxidant environment, which assists in the enhancement of solid-liquid
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production. Their reasoning is that additives contain natural’ organisms that prevail over the rather less ‘natural’ organisms that would otherwise dominate conditions in the treatment unit, whether this be a septic tank or some form of aerobic treatment. They even claim that by overcoming the
70:. Additives consist of packages of micro-organisms or enzymes or both. More than 1,200 septic system additives were estimated to be available in the U.S. in 2011. However, very little peer-reviewed and replicated field research exists to confirm the efficacy of biological additives.
93:
maintained, poorly maintained and maintained to an intermediate level. "Well maintained" was defined as "de-sludged in the last 2-3 years.: "Poorly maintained" had not been de-sludged for the last 15-20 years. Tanks put in the intermediate category fell somewhere in between.
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effects of ‘unnatural’ substances such as bleach and other disinfectants, the use of septic tank additives allows septic tanks and other treatment systems to function in conditions that would otherwise have resulted in their becoming ‘dead’ and non-functional.
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can facilitate reduction in organic load and pathogen removal, leading to significant improvements in effluent quality. They also claim benefits relating to the rate of sludge build-up and odor reduction. One source claims that septic tank additives can reduce
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organization Ali Hasan Mangi
Memorial Trust (AHMMT) installed a small sewage treatment unit with additives to treat sewage from 300 houses in the village Khairodero in Larkana District. Another eleven are reported to be functioning and more are planned.
156:
While pit additives can lead to some improvement in effluent quality, it is unlikely that the improvement would be enough to make a difference. Claims that pit additives can make otherwise ‘unsafe’ effluents ‘safe’ is unlikely to be justified.
54:(EM) in their products. Current scientific evidence does not back up most claims made by manufacturers about the benefits. Removing sludge continues to be a problem in pit latrines and septic tanks.
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and suspended solids is mixed. Under some circumstances, it appears that adding pit additives can have some effect on both BOD and SS concentrations but the effect is not large and is not proven.
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claims are unlikely to be true. The amount of bacteria introduced by pit additives is insignificant compared to the bacteria already present in the pit or septic tank.
363:
Higa, T. & Chinen, N. 1998, ‘EM Treatments of Odor, Waste Water, and
Environmental Problems’, College of Agriculture, University of Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.
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Laboratory investigations into solids solubilisation of black water and faecal matter: Effect of additives and internal physical chemical pit latrine aspects
101:), leaving the results open to the argument that the more varied composition of EM could make such additives more effective than the three additives tested.
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There is no reliable evidence that addition of pit additives to wastewater prior to treatment has a significant effect on pathogen concentrations.
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evidence of additive impact on the performance of septic tanks. It should be stressed that these field experiments used additives other than EM (
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not attempted to quantify the improvement and had not made any formal assessment of the effect of the pit additive on effluent quality.
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This box of additives is meant for septic tanks. It instructs users to add one of the blue packets of powdered material each month.
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375:"Effective Microorganisms (EM) and Wastewater Systems in Future Directions for On-site Systems: Best Management Practice."
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separation, which is the foundation for cleaning water. The authors of the note provide no explanation of how this works.
248:"An investigation of the effect of pit latrine additives on VIP latrine sludge content under laboratory and field trials"
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310:, Department of Environmental Technology and Research, University of Wageningen, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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EPA 625/R-00/008 Onsite
Wastewater Treatment Systems Special Issues Fact Sheet 1 - Septic Tank Additives
232:. Water Research Commission, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Partners in Development (PiD), South Africa.
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Impacts of biological additives; Part 2 Septic Tank
Effluent Quality and Overall Additive Efficacy
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The evidence on the effect of pit additives on settleability of solids and reduction in effluent
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338:. Atami, Japan: International Nature Farming Research Center. p. 7. Archived from
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Beneficial and
Effective Microorganisms for a Sustainable Agriculture and Environment
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S. Pradhan, Michael T. Hoover, G.H. Clark, M. Gumpertz, C. Cobb, J. Strock (2011)
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However, the findings from various studies around the world indicate that:
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384:. Armidale, NSW, Australia: Lanfax Laboratories. pp. 347–354.
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297:, Journal of Environmental Health, Volume 74, Number 5, p. 22-28
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Australian scientists investigated the effect of additives in a
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Pit additives are advocated for use in sanitation systems like
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Bakare, BF; Brouckaert, CJ; Foxon, KM; Buckley, CA (2015).
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is a commercially-produced material that aims to reduce
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the pit additive is added regularly and on schedule.
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106:United States Environmental Protection Agency
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187:A project in Karachi, Pakistan called the
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183:Orangi Pilot Project in Karachi, Pakistan
380:. In R.A. and Jones, M.J. (Eds). (ed.).
329:Higa, Dr. Teruo; Dr. James Parr (1994).
16:Material to reduce fecal sludge build-up
373:Szymanski, N.; Patterson, R.A. (2003).
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1219:History of water supply and sanitation
1105:Sulabh International Museum of Toilets
382:Proceedings of On-site '03 Conference
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1274:Workers' right to access the toilet
1224:Human right to water and sanitation
856:Toilet-related injuries and deaths
116:Proponents claim the additives in
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1070:Madison Museum of Bathroom Tissue
1234:Infection prevention and control
822:Privatization of public toilets
1:
50:. Manufacturers claim to use
1090:Public toilets in Bratislava
760:(combined toilet and bidet)
226:Foxon, K; Still, D (2012).
112:Wastewater treatment plants
48:wastewater treatment plants
1316:
861:Toilet Revolution in China
172:wastewater treatment plant
1125:Toilets in New York City
1075:Modern Toilet Restaurant
807:Islamic toilet etiquette
177:biological oxygen demand
99:effective microorganisms
52:effective microorganisms
1029:Fecal sludge management
988:Urine collection device
973:Urinal deodorizer block
938:Female urination device
1259:Sustainable sanitation
1244:Reuse of human excreta
229:Do pit additives work?
24:
1214:Ecological sanitation
1115:Toilet History Museum
1065:Hundertwasser Toilets
1007:Feces-related aspects
926:Urine-related aspects
827:Swachh Bharat Mission
34:build-up and control
22:
1130:Bryant Park restroom
978:Urinal (health care)
797:Honeywagon (vehicle)
265:10.4314/wsa.v41i4.10
189:Orangi Pilot Project
1229:Improved sanitation
1080:National Poo Museum
1024:Defecation postures
885:Jobs and activities
787:Bathroom privileges
743:Urine-diverting dry
416:oppinstitutions.org
412:"Untitled Document"
1178:Groom of the Stool
943:Interactive urinal
897:Restroom attendant
306:Grolle, K. (2015)
25:
1282:
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902:Sanitation worker
892:Manual scavenging
520:Toilet seat riser
123:hydrogen sulphide
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1269:World Toilet Day
1264:Waste management
1254:Sewage treatment
1141:Historical terms
1120:Toilets in Japan
802:Incontinence pad
792:Bathroom reading
554:Toilet rim block
542:Holder/dispenser
505:Electronic bidet
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993:Urine deflector
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610:Container-based
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28:Pit additives
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1193:Privy midden
1014:Anal hygiene
907:Slopping out
876:Vacuum truck
851:Toilet plume
841:
782:Adult diaper
768:Cultural and
652:Incinerating
537:Toilet paper
485:Bidet shower
415:
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395:. Retrieved
381:
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349:November 27,
347:. Retrieved
340:the original
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88:Septic tanks
83:Applications
77:
68:septic tanks
64:pit latrines
61:
44:septic tanks
40:pit latrines
32:fecal sludge
27:
26:
1188:Pail closet
1173:Gong farmer
1158:Close stool
1153:Chamber pot
1100:Shit Museum
753:Vermifilter
657:Intelligent
547:Orientation
510:Flushometer
1300:Sanitation
1289:Categories
1249:Sanitation
1198:Reredorter
1183:Night soil
1019:Defecation
832:Toilet god
817:Latrinalia
777:Accessible
733:Telescopic
648:(Scouting)
620:Dual flush
605:Composting
397:2006-11-14
258:(4): 509.
207:References
118:wastewater
58:Background
1168:Garderobe
1095:Rest area
1060:Haewoojae
1044:Scatology
983:Urination
963:Sanistand
917:Toileting
712:Sanisette
667:Low-flush
463:Equipment
274:0378-4738
166:Australia
1207:See also
1148:Aphedron
1085:Outhouse
953:Pee curl
697:Portable
672:On-board
635:Freezing
600:Chemical
580:Arborloo
575:Aircraft
470:Ballcock
252:Water SA
161:Examples
1295:Toilets
1163:Dansker
948:Pissoir
812:Istinja
758:Washlet
738:Treebog
662:Latrine
625:EToilet
595:Cathole
500:Commode
495:Cistern
456:Toilets
127:ammonia
1053:Places
968:Urinal
958:Pollee
748:Vacuum
707:Public
642:(boat)
590:Bucket
527:Toilet
475:Bedpan
388:
272:
728:Squat
723:Space
702:Potty
630:Flush
585:Blair
568:Types
490:Brush
480:Bidet
378:(PDF)
343:(PDF)
336:(PDF)
193:BORDA
718:Sink
646:Hudo
640:Head
515:Seat
386:ISBN
351:2015
270:ISSN
125:and
104:The
66:and
46:and
36:odor
692:Pit
687:Pig
682:Pay
615:Dry
260:doi
146:BOD
38:in
1291::
414:.
284:^
268:.
256:41
254:.
250:.
238:^
214:^
42:,
448:e
441:t
434:v
418:.
400:.
353:.
276:.
262::
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