OnSyte Performance. June Submitted to. Prepared By. Shechem Industries. Shechem Industries (SI) Distributed Sewer Network Technology

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1 OnSyte Performance Shechem Industries (SI) Distributed Sewer Network Technology June 2016 Submitted to Shechem Industries Prepared By Food Processing Technology Division Aerospace, Transportation, Advanced Systems Laboratory Georgia Tech Research Institute Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, Georgia

2 Notification The contents of this report were prepared as accurately and completely as possible. However, the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) do not make any warranty or representation, expressed or implied, with regard to this information, or that the use of any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report may not infringe upon privately owned rights, nor assume any liabilities with respect to the use of, or damages resulting from the use of, any information, method, or process disclosed within. Views expressed in this report do not reflect the official view or policy of the above-mentioned institutions. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

3 Executive Summary A review of the OnSyte Performance System was conducted to assess the system s ability to exceed the technical capabilities of existing septic and alternative wastewater systems in the United States. The review also examined design relative to preventative maintenance and applicability for rural, suburban and urban areas where wastewater installations and upgrades are necessary. The OnSyte Performance System utilizes three distinct chambers to equalize and treat varying effluent flow rates. Process flexibility provided by a programmable logic control (PLC), accessible via mobile devices, allows for targeted reductions in wastewater parameters of interest using suspended activated sludge sequentially treated. Performance data (samples gathered by the technology developers and characterized by independent laboratory analysis) demonstrate that the OnSyte Performance system is capable of treating residential wastewater to below detection levels for carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD5) and nutrient nitrogen and phosphorus. With germicidal UV light disinfection, the system effluent reduces the 200-CFU/100mL fecal coliform concentrations to below detection. Currently the system is undergoing testing following the NSF/ANSI 40 standard for residential wastewater treatment systems with rated capacities between 400 and 1,500 gallons (1,514 and 5,678 liters) per day. Two separate independent field assessments of an installed residential system demonstrated that the system was operating properly and could be controlled and monitored via WI-FI. Field observations showed power was on, no sanitary nuisance existed, aerators were working, aeration resulted in bubbles and mixing of sewage, and alarms were not on. A grab sample of aerated Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS) suspension readily settled. With microscopy protozoa (flagellates, stalked and free swimming ciliates) were observed. A review of the NSF database 1 indicated that 37 manufacturers offer 654 products certified as compliant with NSF/ANSI 40 Residential Wastewater Treatment Systems; note that many of the products include pumps, pretreatment tanks or other components that were not tested and thus several of those systems are not included as part of the certified models. A smaller subset of manufacturer products is certified as compliant with NSF/ANSI 245 Wastewater Treatment Systems - Nitrogen Reduction [15 manufacturers offered a total of 102 products]. Three manufacturers representing 11 products were certified as compliant with NSF/ANSI Onsite Residential and Commercial Water Reuse Treatment, although one technology (Nexus Water NEXtreater) is only for laundry and bathwater at 200-gpd. Onsyte Performance is unique in that no critical pumps or aeration systems are submerged within the operating tanks. Process control allows for flexibility in treating differing or varying wastewater strengths not only from its primary treatment and secondary dosing tanks, but also due to its suspended activated sludge sequential treatment process. Using the monitoring software supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is available and can be augmented 1 NSF Certified Wastewater Treatment Units as viewed at on April 9, 2016.

4 for real-time permit verification as effluent sensors are developed, thus enabling its use in rural, suburban and urban areas where wastewater installations and upgrades are necessary. Background OnSyte Performance, LLC ( OnSyte or the Company ) is an environmental technology company that has developed a revolutionary approach to on-site wastewater treatment focused on nutrient removal. The technology is manufactured by Shechem Industries, includes monitoring and control features and can be sized to treat 500- to 500K- gallons per day of residential or commercial wastewater. A near-term need is an independent evaluation of the system (e.g., due diligence) in order to fully demonstrate the technology s advantage relative to the market opportunities. The project aim is to review the proprietary OnSyte Performance system in terms of its capabilities. The general review will examine its effectiveness as a wastewater treatment system for the residential and commercial septic tank applications. Goal and Objectives A review of the OnSyte Performance was conducted to assess the system s ability to exceed the technical capabilities of existing septic and alternative wastewater systems in the United States. The review also examined design relative to preventative maintenance and applicability for rural, suburban and urban areas where wastewater installations and upgrades are necessary. The preliminary review examined the OnSyte and its competitors against traditional wastewater treatment processes. This served to establish a baseline for existing on-site sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS). To focus the review, technologies certified at NSF were examined as well as the competitor technologies operating in the Florida marketplace. NSF is an independent, accredited organization with a mission to test, audit and certify products and systems. Within the Florida marketplace, a key goal was to understand the various organizations influencing the technology selection. OnSyte Performance System OnSyte Performance utilizes three distinct chambers to equalize and treat varying flow rates. Sources for operational control and motive force (aeration and liquid movement) are readily accessible at the unit for service. The concrete unit is of a uniform depth to aid installation. PVC interconnects are sized and placed to facilitate liquid transfer with gravity; under PLC control the hydraulic transfers augment gravity flow to ensure total nitrogen reductions and solids retention. The final effluent is directed as needed, typically to a drain field. Tertiary treatment can be included as needed. Process flexibility provided by a programmable logic control (PLC) and accessible via mobile devices allows for targeted reductions in wastewater parameters of interest. In operation the system functions as a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) where primary treatment (chamber one) is followed by a non-aerated tank (chamber 2) used to dose the anoxic and/or aerobic treatment zone (chamber 3). At the cessation of the programmed SBR treatment cycle, solids are settled. Clarified effluent is sent to the engineered

5 drainfield or other post-treatment location. Liquid streams are strategically recycled to enable denitrification or phosphorus removal. As with SBRs a fill/mix regime can be used as a low dissolved oxygen biological selector that yields settled solids and a treated effluent. Municipal Wastewater Treatment Publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) or municipal facilities are now referred to as water reclamation facilities (WRF). Table 1 depicts the typical unit processes deployed for reclaiming wastewater. For the column titles (left to right) processes are separated into primary, secondary and tertiary treatment before discharge. Secondary processes focus on nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) and this is done by managing the activated sludge solids brought into the facility. Secondary treatment with aeration alone is designed to remove 5-day carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD5). For onsite systems aeration treatment units (ATUs) are used. Carbon management becomes important in that while carbon is needed by activated sludge to reduce total nitrogen it is often depleted when denitrification is planned. If not managed, supplement carbon (at an additional cost) is needed. At WRFs water is moved through different basins to turn on and off aeration. By controlling the dissolved oxygen levels organic nitrogen is converted to ammonia and subsequently nitrate. WRFs will used limited air (anoxic) and then full aeration for nitrogen reductions and then repeat for even lower nitrogen levels. Denitrification (nitrate removal) can also be accomplished with anaerobic conditions as bacteria use nitrate instead of oxygen, yielding nitrogen gas. Chemicals can be used for phosphorus or an additional biological anaerobic step. WRFs typically use multiple basins or process control in one basin (sequencing batch reactor of SBR). The boxes in the bottom row of Table 1 indicate the OnSyte chambers performing the primary, secondary and tertiary (disinfection) steps as well as the showing drainfield for discharge. Competing Technologies A review of the NSF database ( indicated that 37 manufacturers offer 654 products certified as compliant with NSF/ANSI 40 Residential Wastewater Treatment Systems; note that many of the products include pumps, pretreatment tanks or other components that were not tested and thus several of those systems are not included as part of the certified models. A smaller subset of manufacturer products is certified as compliant with NSF/ANSI 245 Wastewater Treatment Systems - Nitrogen Reduction [15 manufacturers offered a total of 102 products]. Three manufacturers representing 11 products were certified as compliant with NSF/ANSI Onsite Residential and Commercial Water Reuse Treatment, although one technology (Nexus Water NEXtreater) is only for laundry and bathwater at 200-gpd. The Maryland Bay Restoration Fund (BFR) lists best available technologies of nitrogen reduction that are certified by (BAT 1) or undergoing (BAT II) field verification. Note that field verification by 3 rd parties or NSF is allowed. Verification by the now concluded EPA ETV program is

6 Carbon Management acceptable by BRF. The most recent U.S. Census data estimate that 22,229,000 homes used septic tanks as of 2011, representing approximately 19.3% of homes in the United States 2. The Florida Marketplace Subsequent internet and literature reviews were conducted to identify competing systems deployed in Florida as well as the civil engineering firms, regulatory entities and rules, and any research underway. The review identified a study conducted in the FL Keys in the 1990 s 3. The outcome was a conclusion that an absorption media was most likely needed for phosphorus removal since existing systems were not designed to phosphorus or nitrate removals a Bio- Microbics unit was tested. This study has served as a basis for permitting requirements for advanced onsite systems on lots where traditional septics and drainfields will not work. Ongoing analysis of FL onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) in FL demonstrates the relevance of onsite systems to the current marketplace. Florida Department of Health experts have examined the technologies deployed in Florida as revealed in the Table 1. Typical unit processes that describe municipal water reclamation facilities. 1 o or Primary Treatment Screening / Grit Removal: 1 o Clarification Float / Settle solids Water Reclamation Facilities [CBOD, Nitrogen] removal P or phosphorus removal 2 o Treatment Disinfection Discharge Solids capture Return or Disposal UV light Surface water Injection wells Aeration [CBOD] 2 o Clarifier Chlorine Anoxic - Aeration [Nitrogen] Return AS Filtration Ocean Anoxic-Aeration-Anoxic-Aeration [Nitrogen] Waste AS Chemicals [Phosphorus] Filtration Anaerobic / Anoxic / Aeration / Anoxic / Aeration [Phosphorus] Chamber 1 Chamber 3 Chamber 2 Drainfield 2 US Department of Commerce, American Housing Survey for the United States: US Census Bureau, September. 3 Florida Department of Health Onsite Sewage Program Phase II Addendum (2000). Florida Keys Onsite Wastewater Nutrient Reduction Systems Demonstration Project, prepared by Ayres Associates under HRS Contract #CO013, as found at as viewed on April 9, 2016.

7 database of permitted systems 4,5 Here, a review of FL permit data indicated that 11,600 advanced OSTDS in FL or less than 1% of the estimated 2.7 million systems with the bulk of systems permitted as ATU. Owners, installers and others were surveyed to understand their happiness with the systems. Of the owners, several were asked if FL Health experts might examine the systems. Of those respondents, 469 systems were visited. Surprisingly one-third did not operate properly. The study also noted that there is a wide variety in values for the incoming wastewater. Performance is typically categorized by percentage (%) removed, so if one starts with a high concentration and does well the final concentration could very well still exceed the desired 10 mg/l total nitrogen. The vast majority of advanced OSTDS systems in FL were NSF 40 type certified systems with suspended growth bacteria (similar to OnSyte). Limited attached growth (fixed film) or combined systems were identified in the database. Note that OnSyte could easily include fixed film. The top five systems were identified as Consolidated Technologies Nyadic, Aqua-Klear, Hoot, Norewco Singulair, and Clearstream. Note that many systems are installed by local companies and not necessarily supported by the manufacturer. Maintenance contracts may be provided by the installer but not necessarily the manufacturer. Currently, three permit categories exist in Florida 6. Note that the onsite systems deemed as capable of removing phosphorus fall under the performance based treatment systems (PBTS). OnSyte is most likely considered an innovative system since it has not been verified in FL. Current NSF40 testing categorize it as an ATU; note that NSF 245 identifies it as a candidate PBTS although no regulatory basis exists for an automatic classification via NSF 245. A professional engineer design is required with health bureau inspections. Maintenance contracts are required although homeowners can opt to do this themselves with some training. Figure 1 depicts images that highlight the most recent research outcomes funded by the Florida legislature, a 7-year, $5-million study 7 that sought to understand and illustrate how nitrogen moves underneath onsite sewage systems; and develop cost-effective and passive methods to reduce nitrogen from onsite wastewater. The four main tasks of relevance to OnSyte and associated with study are depicted with nitrogen treatment and reduction (Task A) along with performance verification (Task B). The right image in Figure 1 highlights the variety of ways that nutrients can be reduced, including 4 Ursin, E. and E. Roeder (2011). Task 2: Database of Advanced Systems in Florida, Florida Department of Health DEP Agreement G Roeder, E., and Ursin, E., Managing the Other Advanced Sewage Treatment Systems: An Assessment of Florida s Aerobic Treatment Units and Similar On-Site Sewage Treatment Systems, Florida Water Resources Journal, July 2013, pp Roeder, E., Proceedings 2015 Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference, November 3-6, 2015, Virginia Beach, VA. 7 Florida Department of Health, DRAFT Florida Onsite Sewage Nitrogen Reduction Strategies Study, as viewed at on April 9, 2016.

8 flushless toilets. Of immediate interest to OnSyte are biological nitrification and denitrification processes. As part of the study a test center was operated at the UF Gulf Coast location to review technologies. Two stage systems focused on media absorption (stage 2 unsaturated) with some biological treatment (stage 1 saturated) were found to be candidate approaches for passive treatment that could meet the objectives of Tasks 1 and 2. Conclusions include the need to Figure 1. Tasks and technologies identifies for reducing nitrogen from onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems. update FL regulations to facilitate these as innovative of PBTS systems. Note that no existing OSTDS were part of the pilot test, yet many of the NSF 245 systems as well as OnSyte can deploy biological approaches for nitrogen and phosphorus reductions. Civil Engineering Firms Hazen and Sawyer is the CE firm that has conducted the majority of the background work associated with the most recent nitrogen reduction strategies study. Research indicates that municipalities contract CE firms to scope the extent of their onsite problem and identify solutions. The major players appear to be Hazen and Sawyer around the state and also CH2M Hill in south Florida. Related reviews identified seven (7) engineers listed on the FL Onsite Wastewater Association website 8 as having successfully completed its Accelerated Certification 8 FL Onsite Wastewater Association ( as viewed April 9, 2016.

9 Training soils course. Clearly, other registered engineers in FL have experience with designing OSTDS but it appears there is no one repository of names. Other Relevant Markets and Technologies The Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center has been providing third-party independent testing of advanced onsite treatment and other devices since As noted on their website, MASSTC conducted a refined nutrient testing protocol in 2002 referred to as the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) while working with EPA and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) of Ann Arbor Michigan. Further refinement of the nutrient standards was completed in 2007 by NSF and has resulted in the NSF Standard 245. MASSTC has conducted the majority of these test protocols on over 25 leading technologies. Note that of these technologies, only 5 are NSF 245 or 350 certified. In a similar manner, the Maryland Department of the Environment Bay Restoration Fund (BRF) provides information entitle Best Available Technology for Removing Nitrogen from Onsite Systems 10 listing systems approved in Maryland within designated classes based on the level of completed or ongoing testing for Total Nitrogen (TN) removal capability. Here, other third party demonstrations can be used to verify removals including Bureau de normalisation du Québec (Canada) - CAN/BNQ , European Committee for Standardization - EN , or a peer-reviewed university study based on field data. Of note is the 2015 Bay Restoration Fund Ranking Documentation that rank orders technologies by estimated cost of purchase, installation and 5-year operation maintenance. Currently the top technologies are BioMicrobics RetroFAST, Norweco Singulair Green and TNT, Hoot BNR, AdvanTex and SeptiTech. Findings Sequencing batch reactors are effective wastewater treatment systems 11 capable of consistently achieving CBOD5 and TN levels of less than 10-mg/L. Four manufacturers of SBRs were identified: Cromaglass from the MASSTC site, an air mound approach (no company information was readily available with subsequent searches); Anua Pekasys (NSF 245 and pending BRF Cat II); SYBR-SBR from Consolidated Treatment 12 claims NSF 40 certification on its website but the product is not found in the NSF database; and Sabre SBR, a package plant system sized a 4000-gallons and above Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center ( as viewed on April 9, Maryland DE Best Available Technology (BAT) Classifications as viewed at ndex.aspx on May 12, United States Environmental Protection Agency (1999). Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet Sequencing Batch Reactors, EPA 832-F SYBR-AER Advanced Wastewater Treatment System as viewed May 29,

10 Many competing technologies are found in the marketplace yet most are extended aeration units certified as NSF-40. The number of units that are NSF-245 certified is significantly less with far fewer NSF-350 certified. The NSF certification appears to hold the most influence although there is a seed change that allows a broader list of third party verifications in order to be considered a best available technology as evidenced at the Maryland Bay Restoration Fund. The major technologies in the marketplace have a long history of systems, but more importantly have evolved to being designed, installed and services by representatives outside of the company. These players also provide requirements that can be used by others to specify some components while using selected propriety devices. A growing number of devices use filters or filtering systems after clarifiers, including membranes. These large companies include case studies, videos, conference publications and design guidelines at their website. Smaller company websites appear more static. The larger companies also highlight commercial and multi-family work. A growing number of vendors use data capture and sharing systems that allow homeowners or their representatives to monitor performance. However, the data is typically related to operations such as power, pump and aeration information. Expanding sensing capabilities as well as energy usage based on cycle times can help differentiate OnSyte, particularly for the sustainable building Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) high performance green building area. Incorporating oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) sensing is one approach for not only monitoring various aeration conditions, but also building a control feedback mechanism for differentiating the system flexibility. Conclusions Onsyte Performance is unique in that no critical pumps or aeration systems are submerged within the operating tanks. Process control allows for flexibility in treating differing or varying wastewater strengths not only from its primary treatment and secondary dosing tanks, but also due to its suspended activated sludge sequential treatment process. Using the monitoring software supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is available and can be augmented for real-time permit verification as effluent sensors are developed, thus enabling its use in rural, suburban and urban areas where wastewater installations and upgrades are necessary. Moving forward, OnSyte should delineate specifics related to service access (including inside tanks, e.g., pumps, aeration), lift lugs if needed, transferable factory warranty, concrete durability versus shipping costs as compared to other materials (e.g., molded poly tanks), tertiary treatment options (pump / dosing tanks post clarifier), one tank depth advantages, quantify electrical usage, counter-buoyancy flanges, and design considerations for peak flows. Data related to the onsite system should be gathered and published, even if completed by the company. However, note that university peer review publications using field data can be useful for establishing best availability technologies.