Monitoring the microbiology in wastewater treatment plants with VIT®

Wastewater treatment plants are sensitive microbiological systems effected by a large number of organisms. Whether in municipal or in industrial plants, regular quality control of the microbiological environment is not only useful but simply necessary.

Cultivation based methods produce entirely insufficient results since up to 99% of all bacteria are not cultivable. A direct insight into the microbiology of wastewater samples is thus necessary. This can only be established by in situ analysis, which means analysing the bacteria within the sample directly. During this procedure the bacteria have to be both identified as well as quantified. It is the only method which allows sufficient analysis of the microbial flora.

The solution: VIT®

vermicon is able to offer a large number of standardised as well as individually created detection kits and services which meet these high standards. Based upon the highly efficient VIT® gene probe technology (VIT = vermicon identification technology) and adjusted to the involved resources and needs, our method allows for direct insight into the sample either at the production site or provided as service. The analysis is rapid, safe and reliable as well as highly specific. Only living cells are detected – with no pre-enrichment needed, directly within the analysed sample – even within the most dense activated sludge flocs. The testing systems provide easy to use qualitative and quantitative result evaluation with a simple VIT adapted fluorescence microscope. vermicon's unique testing systems and services offer regular and efficient monitoring of microbiology in wastewater treatment plants – a necessary step to extensive plant control.

Continuous monitoring presents many advantages

• Problems with sludge such as bulking and floating sludge caused by filamentous bacteria such as Microthrix or Nocardia may be identified in time and eliminated during their initial stage. So you save chemicals and money.

• Sensitive microorganisms such as Nitrificants and Denitrificants or ANAMMOX bacteria can be monitored. You may thus react quickly to population fluctuations. Your plant's efficiency remains stable.

• Especially the start up of an ANAMMOX plant may be difficult. Without sufficient monitoring systems no insight into the formation of particular microorganisms can be established. Continuous analysis allows instant reactions and thus the quickest possible re-stabilisation of your ANAMMOX plant.

Our products and services are available for:

• Detection and quantification of the most important filamentous bacteria

• Detection and quantification of Nitrifiying bacteria

• Monitoring of anaerobic reactors (ANAMMOX analysis; detection of methanogenic bacteria)

• Detection of phosphate eliminating bacteria

• Profiling of bacteria populations: evaluation of the entire microbiological state of your plant

Through seasons changes filamentous bacteria often cause problems. vermicon's experts therefore recommend: VIT® for Filaments makes your plant fit for a new season!