The Bio-GAK pilot research was initiated by Brightwork and is partly carried out by NieuWater, RWB and the Vechtstromen water board. The research is being carried out in the context of the Innovation Program Micropollutants from WWTP wastewater of STOWA and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
The purification technology used at Bio-GAK, just like the BODAC technology that is also used in the Pure Water Factory, uses activated carbon granules that are aerated. Bacteria in this system, as previously discovered, are responsible for the breakdown of medicine residues. This prevents medicine residues from ending up in surface water.
The Bio-GAK technique uses a continuous filter. This means that the filter is continuously rinsed clean during the purification process. The technology also ensures that phosphate is removed from the purified wastewater.
The results showed that the operation of the pilot is in line with expectations. The medicine residues are removed with an efficiency of 85% and it appears that the phosphate is also extensively removed.
