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ACTINOMYCETES OF SEWAGE-TREATMENT PLANTS
Citation:
Lechevalier, H., M. Lechevalier, AND P. Wyszkowski. ACTINOMYCETES OF SEWAGE-TREATMENT PLANTS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-77/145.
Description:
In some activated sludge sewage treatment plants a thick foam rich in Nocardia may be formed at the surface of the secondary aeration and settling tanks. It had previously been observed that the supernatant from anaerobic digesters contained suspended solids which were toxic for Nocardia. In the present study attempts were made to control the foam by returning the supernatant from digesters in four plants to the primary system. The nocardiotoxicity of the supernatant solids was tested to be sure that toxic material was returned to the system. Laboratory studies showed that the material is toxic for some bacteria and not for others.