ComBact FAQ

Why are bacteria ideally suited for waste water treatment?

Bacteria are nature's recyclers. They have the ability to degrade an astonishing wide range of compounds.

Exactly how do bacteria degrade waste?

Bacteria produce enzymes that allow them to break up complex compounds into simpler metabolites that can enter the cell to be used for growth and reproduction. Certain dissolved compounds, such as ammonia and sulfides, are absorbed directly into the cell. Combinations of species often provide more powerful and complete degradation of specific pollutants.

What does BOD and COD mean?

COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand). This is the amount of oxygen required for the chemical oxidation of compounds in water.

BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand). This is the amount of oxygen required for biodegradation of compounds by micro-organisms.

Why is the discharge of BOD & COD regulated?

The discharge of pathogenic bacteria and excess nutrients in high BOD must be controlled to protect the ecology. High COD waste containing chemicals, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, and zinc can be toxic to the natural population of waste degrading bacteria. High levels of these chemicals can directly kill or inhibit higher life forms.

Are the bacteria in ComBact genetically engineered?

No.

Are the bacteria in ComBact safe?

Yes. ComBact uses AQI Class 1 non pathogenic naturally occurring bacteria. All ComBact microbial products are certified free of Salmonella, Shigella, Total Coliforms, E.coli and Streptococcus.

If these bacteria are already present in nature, why do they have to be added to a natural system?

The bacteria in nature are kept in check by organisms in the food chain that feed on them and are not always suited to the kind of wastes in which they find themselves. ComBact are added in quantities that they are able to compete with and dominate the natural balance.

What kind of pollutants does ComBact target?

Virtually all organic contaminants except PCBs.

How does ComBact clarify the water?

ComBact reduces the total suspended solids (TSS) that cloud the water column by digesting the floating organic matter.

How does ComBact deal with Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the water body?

ComBact bacteria requires and can absorb some nitrogen and phoshorus (as phosphate) in their cell mass, using it as a nutrient catalyst in the production of enzymes and proteins.

Is mechanical aeration necessary for ComBact?

No. Many of the bacteria used in ComBact formulas are facultatives anaerobes, so they can also work in anerobic environments where nitrate is available as an alternative oxygen source.

Also a number of bacteria strains in ComBact ultilise dissolved oxygen in their digestive. 

It is dependent on the situation and application.

What is the most efficient way to use ComBact?

ComBact  is used in all types of biological waste systems including bioreactors, once through lagoons, sequencing batch reactors and rotating biological contactors.

What are the characteristic of ComBact formulations?

ComBact formulations are manufactured in both dormant and freeze dried media.