BioBarrier HSMBR Large-Scale and Commercial Treatment Systems
• By Craig Mandli
• ONSIGHT installer online editorial
• https://www.onsiteinstaller.com/editorial/2017/06/finding_a_solution_for_poor_soils_on_the_big_muddy

Problem: Giant Goose Ranch is an 800-acre reclaimed strip-mine property in Fulton County, Illinois consisting of over 50 lakes that are famous for incredible fishing. The Herman Brothers family had plans to rehab an existing campground to add resort cabins and 90 campsites required a new wastewater treatment system. The inconsistent soils, lakes, drastic elevation changes, and stringent code requirements challenged the (then) system designer and under the direction of BihlerTech with BioMicrobics Wastewater Treatment systems.

Solution: The NSF Standard 40/245/350 certified BioMicrobics BioBarrier Membrane systems were selected based on the water-recycling opportunities to reduce the load to the drainfield. The designed include installed within IM-series plastic septic tanks. The versatile MBRs are either 500 or 1,000 gpd units built to suit the location; single units serve individual cabins and 1,000 gpd MBRs serve clusters of resort cabins, beach houses, a store and a banquet all.

By installing the MBRs in the septic tanks prior to being delivered and installed around the property, the installation did not require a heavy boom truck, thus saving substantial expenses. IM-Series septic tanks are also used for trash and pump tanks. Dispersal fields are time-dosed by IPC control panels. A blower outside the tanks blows air to scour clean the membrane, which keeps the biomass alive and growing. A 1.5-amp marine pump attached to each MBR slowly pulls the recycled water out and then transitions to gravity flow to the dispersal fields.

Result: Installing the tanks allowed off site assembly of the units and delivery and installation without a heavy boom truck, resulting in substantial cost savings. The [engineered geosynthetic aggregate] was used for the treated effluent dispersal fields [to improve drainfield performance by eliminating the fines and reducing compaction and embedment] associated with stone.