ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS
Ecotech Africa’s activated sludge process for wastewater treatment is particularly well suited for treating waste streams high in organic or biodegradable content
Photo by: Creamer Media
Emalahleni-based environmental health services provider Ecotech Africa states that its environmental protection solutions for the mining, oil, gas and power generation industries are designed to protect natural water systems and the surrounding ecology.
“With a clear understanding of these sectors, we offer a holistic environmental solution to our clients ranging from water purification and treatment, wastewater treatment or sewage treatment, wash bays, effluent separation processes, as well as asbestos removal, waste management, oil and chemical absorbents, spill kits and a range of biological products for the degradation of contaminants,” says Ecotech Africa GM Karl Claassen.
Claassen explains that biological treatments, which use organisms to break down organic substances in wastewater, are widely used around the world. Unlike other wastewater treatment methods, which use only mechanical or chemical processes, biological treatments include the use of bacteria, nematodes, or other small organisms.
Ecotech Africa makes use of an activated sludge process for wastewater treatment in both domestic and industrial wastewater. This process is particularly well suited for treating waste streams high in organic or biodegradable content.
This system has proven effective in land development and housing projects, on mining and industrial sites, recreational facilities, hotels and lodges, schools and educational campuses, agricultural holdings, remote mining sites, contractors’ camps, construction sites and military compounds.
Claassen states that the system is pre-engineered to ensure lower installation costs, ease of transportation to customer’s project sites, quick turnaround time for delivery and installation and simple operating that requires low manpower.
He also adds that the company is also focused on industrial asbestos removal, as it identifies asbestos to be a significant environmental hazard within industrial operations.
As former leader in asbestos production, the incidence of mesothelioma in South Africa ranks among the highest in the world, stresses Claassen. This legacy stems from the country’s extensive history of asbestos mining and production for over 100 years. He emphasises that more than 30% of mesothelioma cases in South Africa are tied to environmental exposure, most commonly in the Northern Cape area. Adding that more than 70% of reported environmental cases affect women and children, who most likely were exposed when miners bring home asbestos fibres on their hair and clothes.
Claassen says that it is estimated that at least one in every three buildings constructed between the 1940s and 1990s contains asbestos products and were used extensively in the manufacture of many products once used in the South African construction industry.
Claassen states that safety and compliance are critical in the removal of asbestos containing waste and Ecotech Africa has experienced specialists in the process of asbestos removal and the regeneration of mine, industrial and domestic locations.
Ecotech Africa’s asbestos-related services include: asbestos inventories, surveys, asbestos management plans, demolition and removal of contaminated structure, safe disposal, asbestos training and awareness courses.
Ecotech Africa offers a total waste management service that not only includes waste disposal services, but also focuses on optimisation and beneficiation through recycling of various waste streams.
“Ecotech Africa is committed to building a greener future for South Africa with a holistic approach to waste management and environmental responsibility, providing industries with a complete management system for all waste streams and needs,” concludes Claassen.