Scientists 'close to completing bacteria wastewater treatment prototype'

Scientists at the University of the Philippines Los Banos are close to the completion of a wastewater treatment prototype which utilises bacteria in its processes.

Innovations Report informs that waterways in Bulcan province have been contaminated by the by-products of industries such as jewellery making and tanning, meaning that rivers in the area needed to be cleaned up.

This is where the university team, led by Dr Lorele Trinidad, came in, researching bioremediation methods which see bacteria remove heavy metals and chemicals from waterways.

Around 12 different types of bacteria have been found to significantly reduce the levels of sulphates through their emission of hydrogen sulphide gas, which, in turn, eliminates traces of copper and chromium, the news provider informs.

Meanwhile, Fluid Handling reported last month that the the California department of public health has formally approved the world's first UV wastewater treatment system, devised by CST Wastewater Solutions.