Looking to enhance your aquaculture productivity and water quality naturally? Contact Team One Biotech today for expert guidance and high-performance microbial products.
Team One Biotech – a leading biotech company in India – explains how probiotics and bioculture for wastewater treatment are transforming aquaculture farming into a more sustainable and eco-friendly system.
Aquaculture, or fish farming, has rapidly grown into one of the world’s most important food-producing sectors. Yet, maintaining healthy aquatic environments remains a challenge for many farmers. Excess feed, poor water circulation, and disease outbreaks can severely affect production.
Earlier, antibiotics and chemical treatments were widely used to combat these problems — but they often led to antibiotic resistance, toxic residues, and long-term ecological harm. That’s why modern aquaculture is moving toward probiotic-based bioculture systems — a natural, safe, and sustainable solution.
What Are Probiotics in Aquaculture?
Probiotics are live beneficial microorganisms (mostly bacteria and yeast) that, when introduced into water or feed, help maintain a healthy microbial balance in aquaculture systems.
They:
Break down organic waste and excess feed
Reduce toxic gases like ammonia and hydrogen sulfide
Improve fish digestion and nutrient absorption
Enhance immunity and disease resistance naturally
At Team One Biotech, these probiotics are developed using naturally selected bacterial strains that are safe, highly active, and effective under Indian climatic conditions. They can be applied in fish ponds, shrimp farms, hatcheries, and biofloc systems for optimal results.
How Do Probiotics Work in Aquaculture Farming?
Improving Water Quality
Probiotics degrade organic matter, uneaten feed, and sludge at the pond bottom — keeping water clear and balanced. They lower BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) while maintaining healthy oxygen levels.
Enhancing Fish Immunity
Beneficial bacteria colonize the gut of fish and shrimp, outcompeting harmful pathogens. This strengthens the immune system and reduces dependence on antibiotics.
Better Feed Conversion
By improving gut health, probiotics enable fish to absorb nutrients more efficiently, resulting in faster growth and better Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).
Reducing Odour and Sludge
Microbial activity helps remove foul odours and reduce sludge buildup at the pond bottom, promoting healthier pond conditions and reducing pollution impact.
Team One Biotech’s Probiotic Range for Aquaculture
Team One Biotech’s probiotic formulations are designed to improve both water quality and gut ecosystems. Each product serves a unique purpose depending on the aquaculture setup.
Broad-spectrum probiotic that maintains microbial balance in both water and feed.
Explore full range: Probiotics for Aquaculture by Team One Biotech.
How to Use Team One Biotech Probiotics
Water Application: Dissolve the probiotic in clean water and spread evenly across the pond.
Feed Application: Mix Feed Pro or MacMi Aqua with feed to seed beneficial gut microbes.
Biofloc Setup: Use Bio Floc regularly to maintain active microbial communities.
Combined Usage: Use both water and feed probiotics for complete pond management.
Best Practices for Maximum Effectiveness
Begin probiotic application early — ideally before or right after stocking.
Avoid applying disinfectants within 24 hours of probiotic use.
Maintain proper aeration for optimal microbial activity.
Monitor water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, DO, pH).
Use consistently to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
Benefits of Using Probiotics for Aquaculture
Improved water clarity and quality
Reduced disease outbreaks
Better growth rate and survival
Lower feed cost and sludge management
Safe for fish, humans, and the environment
Supports bioculture for wastewater treatment and sustainable aquaculture
Why Choose Team One Biotech?
Team One Biotech is a trusted Indian biotech company specializing in bioculture for wastewater treatment, agriculture, and aquaculture.
Their products are R&D-driven, eco-safe, and deliver measurable results — ensuring farmers achieve long-term sustainability and profitability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How often should I apply probiotics in fish ponds?
Ideally, probiotics should be applied once every 3–5 days, depending on the water condition and stocking density.
Can probiotics replace aeration systems?
No, probiotics work best alongside aeration. Oxygen helps beneficial microbes thrive and function efficiently.
Are probiotics safe for shrimp larvae and hatcheries?
Yes, Team One Biotech probiotics are formulated for all life stages — from hatchery to harvest — and are completely non-toxic.
Will probiotics reduce the need for antibiotics?
Yes. Regular use builds a healthy microbial environment and strong fish immunity, minimizing disease outbreaks naturally.
Can I use multiple probiotic products together?
Yes, products like T1B Acqua S and T1B Feed Pro can be used together for comprehensive water and gut management.
Do probiotics work in saline or brackish water? Team One Biotech probiotics are effective across different salinity levels, making them ideal for both freshwater and marine systems.
How long do probiotics take to show results?
Visible improvements in water clarity and odour are usually observed within 3–5 days of consistent application.
As one of the leading biotech companies in India and trusted bioremediation companies in India, Team One Biotech continues to deliver solutions that redefine sustainability across wastewater treatment, agriculture, aquaculture, and hygiene management.
The global water crisis continues to intensify, driven by pollution and scarcity. This issue not only threatens current industries but also poses long-term environmental risks. To address these challenges, modern wastewater treatment innovations have introduced Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) — a comprehensive system that enables industries to recover, reuse, and recycle water with minimal environmental impact.Upgrade your wastewater management with Team One Biotech — delivering advanced biological treatment solutions that make sustainability and cost-efficiency work together contact us now.
What is Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)?
Zero Liquid Discharge is an effluent treatment process designed to ensure that no wastewater is released into the environment. It enables complete water recovery while isolating solid residues such as sludge and salts for disposal.
Industries such as textiles, power plants, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals frequently deal with high TDS, high COD and BOD, and ammonical nitrogen reduction challenges. In such cases, ZLD in wastewater treatment ensures efficient resource utilization while maintaining environmental compliance. The ultimate goal is zero discharge and maximum water reuse.Wastewater treatment is an essential step toward achieving Zero Liquid Discharge, ensuring that every drop of effluent is treated, recycled, and reused to minimize environmental impact.
Illustration of the process:
The Cost Factor in ZLD Implementation
While Zero Liquid Discharge systems are highly effective, they also involve significant CAPEX and OPEX. Implementation can increase wastewater treatment costs by up to 300% when dependent solely on physical and chemical processes. Incorporating biological or anaerobic treatment stages can substantially reduce these expenses and improve long-term sustainability.
How Does a ZLD System Work?
A standard ZLD process integrates physical, chemical, and biological stages to achieve complete recovery. The primary stages include:
1. Pre-Treatment
This step removes suspended solids, oils, and greases through chemical dosing, pH correction, and equalization. It ensures that the influent entering the next stages is stable and easier to process.
2. Biological Treatment
This involves microbial degradation of organic matter to lower COD and BOD levels. Commonly applied in textile, pharma, and tannery industries, it helps minimize scaling, fouling, and odour issues.
These systems separate clean water from dissolved salts and pollutants. The permeate is reused within the plant, while the reject moves to the evaporation stage for further concentration and recovery.
4. Evaporation (Multi-Effect Evaporator – MEE)
RO rejects are treated in Multi-Effect Evaporators (MEE) or Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) units. These thermal processes recover clean water through vapor condensation while concentrating the remaining brine.
5. Crystallization
The final step converts concentrated brine into solid form for safe disposal or possible recovery, ensuring complete zero liquid discharge.
Challenges in Sustaining ZLD Operations
Despite its benefits, maintaining Zero Liquid Discharge operations is often difficult due to technical and operational constraints.
High Energy Consumption
Evaporators and crystallizers require large amounts of steam or electricity, accounting for 40–60% of total ZLD OPEX. High COD, TDS, and ammonical nitrogen loads further increase energy consumption.
Scaling and Fouling
Inadequate pre-treatment or high phenol content can lead to scaling and fouling in RO membranes. This reduces permeate recovery, increases cleaning frequency, and shortens membrane life.
Frequent Shutdowns
Industries handling variable effluents—such as textile, dye, and pharmaceutical units—face fluctuations in high COD and BOD loads. This can trigger growth of filamentous bacteria, excess sludge formation, and frequent system shutdowns, increasing operational costs.
Bioremediation offers a sustainable solution for optimizing effluent treatment in ZLD systems. By utilizing specialized microbial strains bioculture, it enhances organic degradation, minimizes sludge generation, and stabilizes biological processes.
Key benefits include:
1. COD and BOD Reduction
Microbes effectively degrade organic compounds, reducing COD/BOD by up to 90%. This lowers aeration energy and chemical usage, while preventing membrane fouling.
2. Sludge Reduction
Bioremediation converts organic waste into carbon dioxide and water, resulting in minimal sludge accumulation and preventing MEE tube blockage. This reduces power and maintenance requirements.
3. Reduced Evaporator Load
Improved settling and clear supernatant reduce the volume sent to evaporators, cutting down energy demand and improving overall ZLD efficiency.
4. Enhanced Operational Stability
By controlling filamentous bacteria and supporting anaerobic treatment, bioremediation strengthens system resilience, stabilizing operations during variable or shock loads.
Compliance and Environmental Benefits
Implementing bioremediation aligns with NGT, CPCB, and PCB guidelines for zero discharge systems. It ensures reduced reliance on chemicals, improved odour control, and better compliance with national environmental regulations. The approach contributes to sustainable development goals by promoting biological wastewater treatment over purely mechanical systems.
Conclusion: Achieving Cost-Effective Zero Liquid Discharge
Zero Liquid Discharge remains critical for sustainable industrial wastewater management, but its high operational costs require strategic optimization. Incorporating bioremediation enhances biological pre-treatment, reduces sludge generation, and improves overall efficiency, making ZLD more affordable and environmentally responsible.
When properly managed, pretreated effluent acts like a well-balanced system—easier to process, more energy-efficient, and more reliable. Integrating bioremediation ensures long-term operational stability and significant cost savings for industries implementing ZLD in wastewater treatment.Achieve compliance, efficiency, and sustainability in every drop. Get in touch with Team One Biotech for expert-driven ZLD solutions.
To achieve sustainable Zero Liquid Discharge with reduced operational costs, contact Team One Biotech for tailored biological solutions.
As one of the leading biotech companies in India and trusted bioremediation companies in India, Team One Biotech continues to deliver solutions that redefine sustainability across wastewater treatment, agriculture, aquaculture, and hygiene management.
This is a detailed article on biocultures for wastewater treatment, covering their importance, working mechanism, applications, and industrial benefits. It explains how microbial consortia improve ETP and STP efficiency, enhance biological degradation of pollutants, and ensure compliance with CPCB and NGT wastewater discharge standards. Contact us if you need industry specific consultation on biocultures utility.
Table of Contents
What are Biocultures for Wastewater Treatment?
Why Do We Need Biocultures?
How Do Biocultures Work?
Types of Biocultures and Formulation
How Biocultures Are Manufactured (End-to-End)
Sector-Wise Applications of Biocultures in Wastewater Treatment
Supporting Conditions for Bioculture Effectiveness
Environmental, Safety & Compliance Considerations
FAQs
Conclusion
Introduction
The current growth of India is exponential in each sector, whether it is defence, semiconductors, industries, or exports, among others. But, there is one more thing where India has an exponential graph, which is pollution, and to be specific, water pollution. Untreated Industrial and sewage wastewater is still one of the biggest menaces that the country is facing, and despite a central body such as the NGT and CPCB in function issuing strict compliance, along with practically every industry having a wastewater treatment plant.
Now the question arises if every industry has a facility to treat wastewater or there are existing STPs to treat sewage, and new ones are being built, then why does this menace of water pollution still exist to such a large scale?
Well, the answer is simple. No hardware can work without proper software. Meaning the infrastructure of an ETP/STP is not enough to treat wastewater. As the maximum work of pollution reduction is done by biological treatment, which uses the same mechanism of nature through which a pile of garbage gets degraded automatically, a dead body is reduced to bones within days, how milk gets transformed into hung curd, or how our food gets digested easily. And the warriors of this mechanism are microbes.
Water pollution is one of the most critical environmental challenges faced by industries today. Despite the presence of advanced Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), untreated effluents still contribute to high BOD, COD, and TDS levels in water bodies. This is where biocultures for wastewater treatment play a pivotal role.
Biocultures—specialized microbial consortia—are introduced into biological treatment systems to accelerate the biodegradation of organic pollutants, improve sludge reduction, and enhance nitrogen and phosphorus removal. From industrial wastewater management to municipal sewage treatment, biocultures ensure faster recovery from toxic shock loads, stabilize the microbial population, and improve compliance with environmental norms in India.
Now these microbes, when used effectively with proper research and execution, can enhance the pollution-degrading capacity of the wastewater treatment plant 3 times.
What are biocultures for Wastewater Treatment?
Biocultures are combinations of microorganisms that play a crucial role in the biological treatment of wastewater. These microbial consortia work to degrade complex pollutants such as hydrocarbons, phenols, fats, oils, and grease (FOG), ensuring COD and BOD reduction. They are widely used in:
Industrial wastewater treatment (pharmaceutical, textile, chemical, refinery, and food industries)
Municipal STPs for sewage management
Anaerobic digestion systems for biogas generation
This article will focus on the core use of biocultures, the science behind it and how prominent it is.
Why do we need Biocultures?
This is one of the most common questions asked. Let’s first understand why we need external microorganisms when we still have a biological system with a biomass in a wastewater treatment plant. The “workforce” of any waste treatment system is its biomass. In a dynamic state of flux, different microorganisms perish while others proliferate and become more prevalent.
Under extreme circumstances, such as toxic shock, some bacterial populations may be reduced or eliminated, resulting in poor effluent quality. Historically, waste treatment strategies have been slow to recover in such scenarios. In the aeration basin of a typical industrial waste treatment plant, one would expect to find a wide range of bacterial species or strains.
This bacterial diversity is essential because different types of bacteria digest different substances more effectively and efficiently. Regrettably, the vast majority of industrial waste treatment systems never achieve long-term stability. The quantity & the quality of entering wastewater normally vary on a weekly or sometimes even daily basis.
These variances might be caused by batch process production, schedules, chemical spills in the manufacturing plant, ineffective plant equipment, ETP design, process management or human errors. The reality is that biological populations in many treatment facilities never reach optimal numbers or a variety of species. Without bioaugmentation/bioremediation, the indigenous population should be made up of a diverse range of species.
Some of these organisms degrade organic substances more efficiently and effectively than others, generating a settleable biomass. Hence such organisms/microbes are selected and combined into a product called as biocultures, which are then added into the biological systems of a wastewater treatment plant.
Biocultures benefits:
Indigenous microbes often fail under extreme conditions (toxic loads, variable pH, high salinity).
Biocultures provide robust microbial strains that stabilize the biomass.
They ensure faster recovery from shock loads, maintain MLSS:MLVSS ratios, and improve settleability of sludge.
They help achieve compliance with PCB, CPCB, and NGT norms for effluent discharge.
How do Biocultures work?
Ideally, the biomass is divided into three populations: Population A (desired indigenous microbes), Population B (other indigenous microbes), and Population C (selected robust microbes). The bioaugmentation/bioremediation program’s purpose is to add bioculture with selected microbial strains to boost Population A’s development, establish the selected robust microbial strains of Population C and reduce Population B. This helps us achieve both the quality and quantity of the bacterial population in a biological system.
Understanding the mechanism of microbes
The microbes remove or degrade organic pollutants through enzymes, following a particular mechanism that is distinct for every kind of pollutant such as :
Carbon removal:
In wastewater, biodegradable organics are mostly in the form of carbon that contribute to COD/BOD, such as sugars, starches, fats/oils/grease, proteins, alcohols, etc.). Heterotrophic bacteria reduce these organics for energy and cell generation. Here, one portion of carbon is transformed into CO2 + H2O and assimilated by the rest into biomass (MLSS/MLVSS).
The above flowchart explains the general pathway of carbon removal by microorganisms through both aerobic and anaerobic mechanisms.
Biocultures with a combination of microbes that secrete hydrolytic enzymes, such as lipase, Oxygenases, and dehydrogenases, etc., are used in carbon removal
2. Nitrogen Removal: The nitrogen removal pathway consists of two steps:
Nitrification: In this step, ammonia is converted first into nitrite and then into nitrate in the presence of oxygen by nitrifying bacteria.
Denitrification: In this process, the nitrate is converted into nitrogen gas in low quantities or in the absence of oxygen.
The complete process is popularly called the anoxic process. Biocultures with a combination of microbes, such as nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, are used for nitrogen removal.
3. Anaerobic Digestion: It is a four-stage biological process.
Hydrolysis: In hydrolysis, specialised microbes release enzymes (lipases, proteases, amylases) that cleave the macromolecules into simpler compounds such as fatty acids, amino acids, and sugars.
Acidogenesis: Acidogenic bacteria convert these compounds into VFA (acids), alcohols, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide
Acetogenesis: The VFAs and alcohols are further converted by syntrophic bacteria into acetic acid, H2 and CO
Methanogenesis: Methanogenic archaea consume acetate, hydrogen, and CO₂ to produce methane-rich biogas. This is the energy-harvesting stage, yielding about 55–70% methane in the gas stream, which can be used in boilers, combined heat and power (CHP), or upgraded to biomethane.
4. Phosphorus removal:
Phosphate Removal Cycle:
Anaerobic zone: In the lack of oxygen, PAOs take up VFA (acetate/Propionate) for energy.
Aerobic Zone: these PAOs with stored energy then take up PO4-P, and then they are removed by wasting the sludge.
So, in this process, the pollutants are not degraded but absorbed by microbes, which are introduced through biocultures.
These biocultures are directly introduced into the biological tanks where they are either kept in suspended growth or with biofilm carriers or media to enhance surface area for reaction.
Slow start-up; sensitive to solvents/sulfides/salts; temperature dependency; potential odors if upset
Success KPIs
Downstream COD/BOD drop, stable DO, good SVI/settling
NOx removal across anoxic, alkalinity recovery, minimal gas bubbles
Rising biogas (CH₄ %), VFA/alkalinity in control, COD removal ↑, foam/odour under control
Biocultures Manufacturing Process
Being a leading manufacturer of biocultures, we can explain the process as below:
Strain sourcing & Safety: Performance-proven strains are selected on the basis of substrate profile and range, growth rate, pH tolerance, temperature, salinity, and surfactants. Mostly, a master working cell bank under controlled storage is maintained with records.
Bench Characterisation: Typically, benchtop reactors are in-shaken along with mapping growth curves and profiling of enzymes. Parameters or set points, such as temperature, pH, and the DO control band, are also considered, which vary with every strain.
Scale-up (production): The strain is then transferred from bench reactors or flasks to larger volume fermenters, which are already sterilised.
Harvest & stabilisation: Harvest is done by centrifugation or microfiltration, followed by stabilisation depending upon the product’s form:
Powders: carriers such as maltodextrin, mineral clay, zeolite + protectants (trehalose, skim solids) are mixed, followed by dry spraying.
Liquids: buffered media is used.
Encapsulated/blocks: entrap
Where Biocultures are Used: Sector-wise applications
1. Food and Beverage (dairy, breweries, soft drinks, bakeries):
Effluent Profile: readily degradable organic COD in high content in the form of lactose, proteins, sugars and FOG
Major issues: Sudden/burst foaming, morning/evening shock loads, ammonia carryover when nitrification lags.
Bioculture Consortia used: Mostly enzyme-rich aerobic consortia that are rich in hydrolytic enzymes ( amylase, proteases, lipase) are used to accelerate hydrolysis. Nitrifiers are used in case of ammonia.
Microbial Mechanism: Faster conversion of colloids to soluble carbons. Healthy floc formation occurs with robust and stable biomass development.
2. Pulp and Paper:
Effluent Profile: High COD effluent with colour, lignin/cellulose fractions and heavy foaming issues.
Pain Points: Lignin is one of the toughest components to degrade; hence, biodegradability is low. Colour is also a prominent factor that is very hard to reduce.
Bioculture consortia used: Consortia with microbes that secrete enzymes such as Laccases, lignin peroxidases, along with other hydrolytic enzymes are used.
Microbial mechanism: the polymers of lignin are cleaved by enzymes, and co-metabolism degrades colour concentration.
3. Textile & Dye
Effluent Profile: Consists of dyestuff, common surfactants, high temperature, reactive and non-reactive dyes components.
Issues: prominence of refractory colour, which is a visible pollution indicator, along with nitrite spikes. High temperature up to 55°C kills normal native microbes.
Bioculture consortia used: Consortia with microbes that secrete enzymes such as reductases, peroxidases, along with other hydrolytic enzymes are used, which should be thermophilic in nature to enhance stability and performance in high temperatures.
Microbial Mechanism: the thermophilic bacteria that are viable in high-temperature easily degrade dyestuffs and color.
4. Pharmaceuticals & APIs:
Effluent Profile: Consists of inhibitory intermediates, solvents, high ORP swings, high Ammonia, and refractory COD.
Issues: high toxicity, long accumulation, shock loads, ammonia spikes and low settling in clarifiers.
Bioculture consortia used: Biocultures with De-Tox tolerate blend, a few bacillus strains and nitrifiers can be used.
Microbial Mechanism: Biofilm formation, along with EPS binding buffers toxicity, while the bacillus and other strains degrade refractory COD. For Ammoniacal nitrogen nitrifiers in the presence of oxygen, perform the function of nitrification, followed by denitrification by denitrifying strains.
5. Chemical manufacturing (Paints, resins, surfactants):
Issues: high toxicity, shock loads, high TDS, low COD/BOD degrading efficiency.
Bioculture consortia used: Biocultures with De-Tox tolerate blend, a few bacillus strains and nitrifiers can be used.
Microbial Mechanism: Biofilm formation, along with EPS binding buffers toxicity, while the bacillus and other strains degrade refractory COD.
6. Petrochemical/refineries:
Effluent Profile: prominence of alkanes, Aromatics, emulsified oil and specifically PHA
Issues: surfactant interactions, emulsion that passes without degradation, inducing odour, high PHA at outlets affecting efficiency, even loss of sludge blanket in the UASB process and low methanogenesis.
Bioculture consortia used: Biocultures with hydrocarbon-degrading as well as lipase-producing strains, anaerobic strains with similar properties for UASBs.
Microbial Mechanism: The enzymes, such as mono/di oxygenases, crack hydrocarbons, lipases split triglycerides and PHAs. The Anaerobic strains form heavy flocs that can settle at the bottom to strengthen the sludge blanket.
Case Studies:
Pharmaceutical(API) company in Gujrat:
Challenges:
The COD, BOD and Ammoniacal Nitrogen were always high above the discharge limits in spite of having a high amount of MLSS & MLVSS in all their aeration tanks. The EHS department of the industry was under pressure to maintain the parameters as per the PCB norms. Some consultants had also suggested having an MBR after the ASP process, which unfortunately was not providing the desired output.
ETP Flow chart:
Primary- Biological and Tertiary systems, with RO & MEE. The activated sludge process (ASP) has 3 aeration tanks in series and one anoxic tank before the aeration tanks.
Flow:
200 m3/day
Inlet COD:
14,000 to 17,000 ppm
Inlet Ammoniacal Nitrogen:
280 to 320 ppm
COD outlet after biological treatment:
9000 to 12000 ppm
Ammoniacal Nitrogen after biological treatment
220 to 270 ppm
Bioculture Selection and Dosing
A blend of microbial strains that were capable of degrading recalcitrant compounds, aromatics, phenols and long-chain carbons was created and incorporated into bioculture, which was dosed in the aeration tanks for 8 weeks.
Results:
Results and discussions:
91 % reduction in COD and 75% reduction in TAN levels after 60 days and today the COD is in the range of 500 to 450 ppm in their biological outlet.
EBPR-Phosphate removal:
A prominent chemical manufacturing unit situated in MP near Ratlam wanted to treat an effluent stream with a high phosphate content of up to 1500-2000 ppm. They wanted to use their old ETP, revive it, commission it, and make it efficient for phosphate treatment.
1st Phase: Scrutiny
OLD ETP details:
The ETP had primary treatment, biological treatment (Anaerobic), and then a tertiary treatment.
Flow (current)
350 KLD
Type of process
UASB
No. of UASBR
1
Capacity of biological tank
950 KL
Parameters of the stream with Phosphate:
Parameters
Avg. Inlet parameters(PPM)
COD
4300
Phosphate Content
1500-1800
TDS
3000
2nd Phase: The Blueprint
After scrutiny, it was concluded to transform the old ETP apparatus into an EBPR unit, i.e., Enhanced Biological Phosphorus removal unit, which involves the introduction of PAOs (polyphosphate-accumulating bacteria) into the biological system along with physico-chemical treatment in primary and tertiary systems, respectively, of the old ETP.
ETP process optimisation:
An efficient EBPR unit requires anaerobic as well as aerobic systems, as in anaerobic, the RbCODs get transferred into VFAs, which are then absorbed by PAOs for efficient phosphate uptake, which is dispersed during the anaerobic process. The PAOs then absorb the phosphate rapidly in the aerobic system. Hence, biomass with phosphate-absorbed PAOs is allowed to settle in the clarifier, and then WAS is removed.
In this scenario, the ETP had a UASB system, but no Aeration system, hence:
We utilised a spare tank of capacity 300 KL located next to USABR, and transformed it into an aeration tank by installing diffusers.
After our recommendation, the industry installed a 50 KL FRP clarifier after the sedimentation system.
Hence, the old ETP now had a facultative EBPR system.
3rd Phase: Technology and Execution
Selecting biocultures:
For UASB:
The perfect solution for an Anaerobic system consists of robust bacteria that can efficiently work in anaerobic conditions, leveraging efficiency in terms of:
COD reduction
Biomass Generation
Methane Generation
F/M ratio optimization
Here, since the goal was phosphate reduction, we amalgamated PAOs as well, which made the product extremely effective to be used in the developed EBPR system.
For Aerobic Tank:
Highly robust and selective strains of bacteria, which, when combined with PAOs.
Results:
After 60 days of implementation:
Parameters
Primary Outlet
UASB Outlet
Clarifier Outlet
COD
3900
1900
800
Phosphate
1300-1500
850-900
180
COD Reduction
10 %
~ 55 %
82 %
Phosphate reduction %
8-10%
~ 65 %
~85-90%
Supporting Conditions for Biocultures in Wastewater Treatment:
Essential Parameters to be maintained:
DO: 1.5 to 3 is essential in an aerobic process to produce the best results from biocultures for wastewater treatment.
pH: Neutral pH is recommended, but the range between 6.5 and 8 is preferable.
Temperature: The ideal range for optimum performance should be 20-35 °C, but some thermophilic strains can thrive up to 55 °C
ORP: For anaerobic, it should be between -100 and -300 mV.
Yes, they can reduce the sludge meaningfully; however, HRT, SRT and wasting are important factors to be tracked as well.
5.Do I need to stop chemicals when using biocultures?
Chemicals for primary treatment, especially for pH control and coagulation-flocculation, are necessary; however, effective biocultures can reduce their quantity to some extent.
6.Can I use them in grease traps/septic at small facilities?
Yes, biocultures with FOG-degrading strains can be used.
7.Any red flags when buying biocultures?
A vendor/manufacturer giving fake guarantees without studying and analysing the problem of your wastewater treatment plant.
Conclusion:
Nature’s best healing mechanism, i.e microbes, is simple yet extremely effective, especially for wastewater treatment. They are very tiny in size but mighty in effect, and when the right combination of such microbes is created, 60% of wastewater treatment problems are solved. Biocultures for wastewater treatment are proven and effective technologies that have been with us forever, but we have realised their potential in the wastewater sector very late, and it is still misunderstood and unexplored.
As one of the leading biotech companies in India and trusted bioremediation companies in India, Team One Biotech continues to deliver solutions that redefine sustainability across wastewater treatment, agriculture, aquaculture, and hygiene management. Contact us here for free consultation.
India generates over 72,000 MLD of sewage daily, but less than half is treated effectively. This untreated wastewater flows into rivers like the Yamuna, Ganga, and Mula-Mutha, causing severe health and ecological damage. Despite multiple government initiatives like the Ganga Action Plan and National Mission for Clean Ganga, a significant sewage burden persists.
India is often termed by the world as the Spiritual capital, and people around the world flock to India to seek penance, embrace the tranquillity of nature and follow the path of GOD. But unfortunately, the past few centuries of dark chapters and post-independence blunders have made India and Indians be looked at as unfriendly to cleanliness, and we even prove it sometimes, because the very rivers that we worship and are sacred in our texts are among the most polluted rivers in the world.
By the 1970s and 80s, untreated sewage had become a national crisis. Outbreaks of cholera in Kolkata, jaundice in Surat (1994), and recurring typhoid cases in Delhi highlighted the urgent need for structured sewage management. It was clear that septic tanks and open drains could no longer cope with urban growth.
Why the Government Was Forced to Act
The first large-scale intervention came with the Ganga Action Plan (1986), which introduced Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Kanpur, Varanasi, and other towns along the river. These were followed by the National River Conservation Plan (1995) and later the National Mission for Clean Ganga (2014).
The government realised that simply building drains wasn’t enough. What was needed were systems that could not only treat sewage but also manage solid waste sustainably. This is where biodigesters became a key component of STPs.
City Case Studies
Delhi ( Okhla STP, 1990s): One of the largest STPs in Asia, Okhla adopted biodigesters to process sewage sludge and generate biogas. However, poor maintenance has kept its output below potential, highlighting the gap between design and operation.
Kanpur (Ganga Action Plan, 1986): As one of the first cities to adopt STPs with biodigesters, Kanpur showed early promise. But decades later, many plants fell into disrepair due to lack of funding and technical oversight, contributing to ongoing Ganga pollution.
Pune (Mula-Mutha River STPs, upgraded in 2018): A positive example, where biodigesters were modernised to produce electricity from biogas, helping reduce operational costs while tackling sewage loads.
Why Many Systems Struggle Today
Despite success stories, 40% of India’s STPs are either non-functional or underperforming (CPCB data). The reasons include:
Poor Maintenance: Microbial cultures die out when not replenished.
Finding Gaps: Municipal budgets often fail to cover operations.
Skill Shortages: A lack of trained operators undermines performance.
Outdated Designs: Many STPs still run on decades-old technology.
Role of Biodigesters in STPs
Biodigesters in Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are anaerobic chambers that use microbes to break down sludge. They:
Convert organic matter into biogas and nutrient-rich slurry.
Enable energy generation from methane.
Stabilise sludge and make it safe for reuse.
While cities like Delhi, Kanpur, and Pune have adopted biodigesters, around 40% of India’s STPs underperform due to poor microbial management, outdated designs, and lack of skilled operators.
How Biocultures Improve Biodigester Working
Biodigesters thrive only when the microbial population is balanced and active. Without replenishment, microbial colonies collapse, leading to foul odour, incomplete digestion, and reduced biogas yield.
Here’s how biocultures for STPs can solve these challenges:
Odour & Pathogen Control: Maintains hygienic and sustainable operations.
Team One Biotech’s Expertise
As one of the leading biotech companies in India, Team One Biotech provides customised bioculture formulations to optimise biodigester working in STPs, ETPs, and decentralised sewage systems.
Our solutions include:
Anaerobic Biocultures tailored for methane generation.
Sludge-reducing microbial consortia to extend biodigester life.
Start-up cultures for new STPs or after shock loads.
On-site consultation and training for plant operators.
By integrating our biocultures, municipalities and industries can transform underperforming biodigesters into efficient, sustainable, and cost-saving systems.
Conclusion
Biodigesters are the backbone of modern sewage treatment in India, but they need consistent microbial support. Team One Biotech bridges this gap with advanced biocultures for STPs, ensuring reliable biodigester working, reduced sludge, and higher biogas yields.
With the right biotechnological support, India can move towards a circular wastewater economy, cleaner rivers, and healthier cities.
Explore More Solutions by Team One Biotech
Apart from biocultures for wastewater treatment, Team One Biotech also offers innovative and eco-friendly solutions across multiple sectors, including:
A reputed petroleum refinery approached us due to high concentration of sulfides in their effluents. They tried multiple solutions, including electroplating, RO, etc., but they were very cost-intensive. Also, they received multiple notices from the pollution control board and were paying heavy fines. In petroleum refineries, Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) are critical for managing complex wastewater containing sulfides, phenols, and hydrocarbons. Our advanced bioculture-based solutions ensure consistent COD and BOD reduction, even under fluctuating hydraulic and organic loads. Reach out to us today to experience how our bioculture-driven solutions can turn wastewater challenges into success stories.
ETP details:
The industry had primary treatment, biological treatment, and then a tertiary treatment.
Previous Capacity
Flow (current)
4500 KLD
Flow (design)
4500 KLD
Type of process
Facultative
Capacity of UASB
12500 KL
Capacity of AT
7500 KL
Retention Time
106.66 hours(combined)
Challenges:
Parameters (PPM)
Avg. Inlet parameters
Avg. Outlet parameters
COD
5500-9010
2200-4600
BOD
2500-5800
1300-3000
Ammoniacal Nitrogen
200
120-150
PAH
1250
680
Operational Challenges :
The primary treatment was working at 10 % efficiency in terms of COD reduction
The biological treatment worked at an average of 50 % efficiency in terms of COD reduction.
They were struggling to control the higher AN levels, and it was inducing shock loads as explained earlier.
Issues with Process:
The main issue with the process was that there was no significant reduction in AN at the outlet despite having a UASB and an Aeration tank
The Approach:
The industry partnered with us to commission their UASB and Aeration tank with increased capacity and restart the plant at its full capacity in terms of hydraulic load.
We adopted a 3D approach that included :
Research/Scrutiny :
Our team visited their facility to go through the process of the new ETP and to scrutinize the value-addition factors.
Analysis :
We analyzed the 3-month cumulative data of their ETP to see trends in the inlet-outlet parameters’ variations and the permutation combinations related to it.
Innovation :
After the research and analysis our team curated customized products and their dosing schedules with formulation keeping in mind the plan of action to get the desired results.
This process is called bioaugmentation.
Desired Outcomes :
Reduction in AN levels in the final outlet
Development of strong biology to withstand shock loads and prevent upsets.
Making ETP more efficient regarding COD/BOD and PAH degradation.
Reduction in FOG.
Execution:
Our team selected the product :
For the Aeration Tank
T1B Aerobio: Our aerobic Bioculture blend consists of blends of several strains of Nitrifying and Denitrifying bacteria and facultative microorganisms, usually bacteria, along with key trace elements on a complex inert media.
For the UASB tank
T1B Anaerobio: Our Anaerobic Bioculture blend consists anaerobic microbes that will effectively reduce AN as well as enhance COD/BOD control.
Our plan of action included:
T1B Anaerobio was dosed in UASB for sulphate and COD reduction.
The addition of T1B Aerobio was also done Aeration Tank after UASB every day
The implementation of the bioaugmentation program resulted in significant improvements in the performance of biological units in their WWTP:
The COD/BOD degrading efficiency increased from 50% to 83 % in the biological system.
AN reduction was achieved up to 90 %
PAH was also getting degraded up to 82.4 %.
MLSS: MLVSS ratio was optimized.
Biomass in the ASP system displayed great stability even during shock load situations.
Methane gas production increased by 12%.
The application of Anaerobic Treatment through UASB reactors combined with Aeration tanks enabled effective Ammoniacal Nitrogen control and reduced PAH levels significantly. This approach minimized the risks of shock loads and enhanced the stability of biological systems.
With a focus on Industrial wastewater treatment, we targeted Sludge reduction and improved MLSS:MLVSS ratios to enhance operational efficiency. Our strategies also mitigated Odour issues and prevented the proliferation of filamentous bacteria, ensuring long-term system reliability.
By aligning with CPCB, PCB, and NGT compliance norms, the refinery avoided penalties while achieving sustainable wastewater management. The integration of bioaugmentation technology, nutrient balancing, and biogas recovery further optimized the performance of the effluent treatment process.
This case study demonstrates how refinery clients can achieve reliable wastewater treatment solutions while reducing OPEX, improving sulphide reduction, and ensuring a future-ready industrial effluent treatment system.
What you read in the book is always different in the real-world hook!! A quote so accurately framed that and can be applied in every professional aspect, including wastewater treatment. No matter how many SOPs or books we read, the ground reality is different, each ETP is different, each industrial effluent is different and one of the most overlooked challenges across these systems is the malnutrition of ETP, where the biological treatment process suffers due to imbalanced or inadequate nutrient supply.
In the world of industrial wastewater treatment, biological systems are the backbone of sustainable and cost-effective operations. But even the best industrial application of microorganisms can’t function without the right nutrients. And for the right nutrients, the same old C:N:P ratio is followed. And to make up this ratio, unfortunately, the conventional nutrient sources such as UREA-DAP, which are supposed to be used for agriculture, are often used in abundance in common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), which is itself a self-sabotage practice.This leads to a common but critical issue—malnutrition of ETP, where effluent treatment plants suffer from poor nutrient availability or imbalance despite excessive chemical input.
Now, readers must be wondering as to what the ideal solution should be for this, as for every nutrient requirement, we need separate chemicals, like for nitrogen, it’s UREA, for phosphorus, it’s DAP, etc.
Well, Team One Biotech has a solution to this universal problem as well. Introducing T1B SustainX- a natural blend of nutrients in powdered form. A 100% replacement of UREA, DAP, Phosphoric acid, and other conventional nutrients.
Team One Biotech’s T1B SustainX offers a smart, eco-friendly, and efficient alternative. Here’s why it’s time to reconsider your ETP nutrient strategy—and how SustainX provides a smart, eco-friendly, and efficient alternative.Contact Us to know how SustainX can transform your operations.
The problem of using fertilizers in Industries as the nutrient source:
Despite their widespread use, these fertilizers contribute to the malnutrition of ETP, disrupting microbial health and system performance.Industrial effluent is not same as soil where we can put the traditional fertilizers. Using such products may give results, but it has some side effects too such as:
Nutrient Spikes & Imbalances: Urea, DAP and other products tend to release ammonia and phosphorous very rapidly causing sudden spike in nutrient availability leading to shock induction in the microbes present.
Limited Bioavailability: A significant portion of these nutrients is lost through runoff or chemical interactions, offering poor uptake efficiency.
Sludge Bulking & Odors: Excess ammonia from urea or phosphorus from DAP can trigger undesirable side effects like bulking, foaming, and odor removal.
Eutrophication Risk: Residual nutrients in treated effluents can pollute water bodies, leading to algal blooms and ecological damage.
T1B SustainX: One stop Nutrition Solution
It is a revolutionary and advanced nutritional solutions consists of balanced C:N:P , which is bioavailable.
Key Benefits of SustainX:
Scientifically designed pre-balanced ratio — no need for DAP/urea
Boosts microbial growth under anaerobic process and stress
Enhances COD/BOD reduction
Reduces sludge and odor removal issues
Improves methane yield in anaerobic digestion of biomass
Improves sludge quality and settleability
Reduced operational upsets and foaming
Stable system performance over time
Reduces operational hassle of doing multiple products
Practical Replacement comparison:
Parameter
DAP/Urea/Phosphoric Acid
T1B SustainX (Science Power)
Nutrient Availability
Immediate (risk of spike)
Gradual (consistent)
Bioavailability
Medium to low
High (organic complex)
Microbial Diversity
Limited impact
Significant positive impact
Sludge Production
Moderate to high
Reduced and stabilized
Residual Nutrients
High risk (eutrophication)
Minimal residual nutrients
Environmental Impact
Higher pollution potential
Eco-friendly and sustainable
T1B SustainX- Nutrient Profile
T1B SustainX is a one blend-multiple nutrient product that gives all the necessary nutrients in one dose:
Organic Carbon → Primary electron donor and carbon source for microbial growth and co-metabolic degradation.
Total Nitrogen → Essential for amino acids, nucleic acids, and enzyme production, driving biomass formation.
Phosphate → Supports ATP synthesis, genetic material integrity, and membrane stability.
Calcium → Strengthens cell walls, stabilizes enzymes, and enhances bioflocculation and sludge settling.
Magnesium → Key cofactor for ribosomes, ATP handling, and enzyme regulation.
Sulfur → Needed for sulfur-containing amino acids, coenzymes, and redox balance.
Essential Micronutrient Metal Cofactors + Organic Micronutrient Coenzyme Precursors + Nitrogenous Organic Monomers and Metabolic Precursors
It also includes essential micronutrient metal cofactors, organic precursors, and nitrogenous metabolic compounds to enrich biological sewage treatment plants.
Real-World Impact:
SustainX has proven effective across a wide range of industrial effluents, including:
Pharmaceutical & Chemical Wastewater
Distilleries, Dairies & Food Units
Textiles & Detergents
CETPs and STPs
Petroleum & Pesticide Industries
Whether dealing with high COD, high TDS, or complex toxic loads, SustainX addresses the root causes of malnutrition of ETPby offering a complete, bioavailable nutrient solution for stable, high-performance biological treatment.
Upgrade Your ETP Nutrition- A Smarter and Sustainable Way:
With increasing regulatory scrutiny and rising sustainability expectations, continuing with outdated nutrient practices is no longer viable. T1B SustainX empowers ETP operators to:
Since aerobic digestion is an integral and important step in wastewater treatment, the health status of activated sludge becomes a fundamental concern for any industrial WWTP or ETP management.
T1B Aerobio is a trustworthy aid to maintain the functionality and productiveness of any wastewater treatment process. T1B Aerobio is tenacious in breaking down organic matter and reducing the biological oxygen demand (BOD) or chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels in wastewater.
With its exceptional tendency to remain conducive even with fluctuating temperature ranges, unstable pH levels, and escalated levels of total dissolved solids or TDS, the T1B Aerobio is a quintessential addition to a wastewater treatment process.
Recalcitrant compounds are hard to degrade chemical substances. Adding T1B Aerobio in sludge waste fortifies the degradation of these harmful compounds. T1B Aerobio is also a robust bioproduct that decomposes xenobiotic compounds effectively. Use of T1B Aerobio will definitely improve the efficiency of various biological process and units like, ASP, MBR, MBBR, SBR, RBC, Trickling Filter. etc. It works under suspension mode as well as attached mode systems.
T1B Aerobio | Microbiome Solution For Aerobic Digestion – Efficient For Reduction Of BOD and COD in wastewater for reclacitrant and xenobiotic compounds
Aerobic Microbial Cultures – Aerobic Bio Product – Aerobic Bacteria With Enzymes – Aerobic Bacterial Cultures – Aerobic Digester Treatment – Wastewater Bioremediation – Bioremediation – Bioaugmentation – Bio Product – High COD/BOD – High Ammoniacal Nitrogen – High TDS – Tough To Biodegrade Efflunet – Xenobiotic Compounds – Reclacitrants – Oil & Grease – Activated Sludge Process – ASP – Microbial Process – Oxygenation – Carbon Dioxide – Nutrient Removal – Aerobic Microorganisms – Sludge Reduction – Secondary Treatment – Respiration – Oxidation – Air Supply – Energy Efficiency – Carbon Footprint – Environmental Benefits – BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) – COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) – Aeration Tank – Activated Sludge – Activated Sludge Process – SBR (Sequential Batch Reactor) Process – MBR (Membrane BioReactor) Process – MBBR (Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor) process – RBC (Rotating Biological Contactor) Process – MBR-IFAS (Integrated Fixed-film Activated Sludge) Process – ASP (Aeration Stabilization Process) – Extended Aeration Process – Oxidation Ditch Process – Trickling Filter Process – High-Rate Trickling Filter Process – Submerged Aerated Filter Process – Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR) – Biofilm Reactors – Effective Microbes – Effective Microorganisms – High Strength CFU Per Gram – Industrial Wastewater Treatment – ETP – Efflunet Treatment Plant – CETP – Common Effluent Treatment Plant – Improve MLSS – Reduce Aeration – Plant Stability – Enhance Nitrogen And Phosphorus Removal – Commissioning Time of ETP – Rapid Growth Of MLSS and MLVSS – Shock load Stabilization – Overall Cost Of Operation – Faster Commissioning – Reduce COD BOD Ammoniacal Nitrogen – Improved Setteling – Colour Reduction – Aromatic Compounds Cellulose Proteins lignin lipids – High TDS Tolerant – Food Industry Effluent – Beverage Industry Wastewater – Dairy Industry Effluent – Meat Processing Industry – Paper Industry Effluent – Pharmaceutical Industry Effluent – Effluent From Textile Units – Effluent From Chemical Manufacturing Units – Dyes and Colorants Effluent – Detergents Effluent – Active Bioremediation
Several factors can undermine the effectiveness and efficiency of a sewage treatment plant. Factors such as composition (high levels of organic matter, nutrients or toxicity) of sewage wastes, higher temperatures that can reinforce microbial activity that breaks down organic sludge, hydraulic retention time, adequate oxygen supply to support microbial growth, and appropriate alkalinity of wastewater are among the most common ones.
It naturally becomes vital that any microbial formulation added to any STP can work through these variables. Team One Biotech’s “T1B STP” is a consortium of resilient & robust bacteria that facilitate the biodegradation of sewage wastes & organic pollutants by converting them into carbon dioxide, water and smaller biodegradable compounds.
T1B STP controls the formation of excessive organic sludge by rapidly degrading it. It also improves the settling rate of activated sludge for filtration and settling processes.
Longer retention time although allows for a more thorough treatment, it also increases the risk of odours and the growth of harmful organisms. T1B STP specializes in controlling filamentous bacterial growth in sewage management and also eliminates odours.
With its many beneficial properties like the high potency of reducing BOD, COD and ammonia, improving conditions for better floc formations, and controlling sludge bulking and excess foaming T1B STP applications are many. T1B STP microbial formulation can be used in any sewage treatment plant, sewer lines, STP pumping stations, municipal waste disposals and even for compact plants in housing complexes, hospitals etc.
T1B STP | Bacteria Consortia For Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) – For Sewage Odor Control, Organic Sludge Reduction, Sludge Bioremediation
STP Odour Control – Odour Reduction In STP – Cheap Bioproducts For STP – Powder Bioproduct For STP – liquid Bioproduct For STP – Bio Culture For Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) – Powder Stp Sewage Treatment Plant Bio Culture – Bio STP – STP Culture – STP Bio Culture – Sewage Treatment Plant Chemicals – Biological Culture For Sewage Treatment Plant – Sewage Treatment Plant – Sewage Treatment – Biocultures For Sewage – Sewage Biocultures – Sewage Bacteria – Microbial Product For Sewage Treatment – Sewage Bioremediation – Odour Control In Sewage – STP Odour Control – Sludge Reduction – Reuse Of Sewage – Grey Water Treatment – Black Water Treatment – Sludge Reduction – Electricity Savings – Chemical For Sewage Treatment – Urine Treatment – FOG In Sewage – Bio Treatment Of Sewage – Sewage Sludge – Activated Sludge – Microbial Consortia – Microbial Inoculants – Bioreactor – Anaerobic Digestion – Nutrient Removal – Ammonia Oxidation – Denitrification – Phosphorus Removal – Microbial Enzymes – Biosurfactants – Aerobic Bacteria – Anaerobic Bacteria – Facultative Bacteria – Bio Enzyme – Enzymes – COD Removal – BOD Removal – Ammoniacal Nitrogen Removal – Sludge Degradation – Removing Oils, Fats And Grease – Reduces Aeration Requirement – Enzyme Producing Microbes – Enzyme Producing bacteria – Naturally Occurring Microbes – Bio Culture Bacteria Solutions – Enzyme Solutions – Bio Enhancer – Microbial Inoculum – Probiotic Bacteria – Municipal Waste Water Treatment – Bioculture Product – MLSS Development – Eco-Friendly Method Of Sewage Treatment
