Bio-Microbics System NSF Certified for Water Reuse

Bio-Microbics, a manufacturer of decentralized wastewater treatment technologies, is the first company to earn NSF®/ANSI® 350 certification for the Bio-Barrier® membrane bioreactor (MBR). NSF scientists conducted an evaluation spanning more than six months of continuous operation of the Bio-Microbics Bio-Barrier® MBR treatment system at one of NSF’s approved wastewater testing facilities. NSF/ANSI 350 was developed over a four-year period, in an ANSI-accredited, balanced consensus process involving representation from industry manufacturers, public health officials and product users. NSF International is an accredited American National Standard Institute

“Certification to NSF/ANSI 350 positions onsite water reuse technologies as a viable solution to increasingly overburdened water and wastewater treatment facilities, water scarcity, and increasing costs associated with energy and water use,” said Tom Bruursema, General Manager of NSF Sustainability. “Innovative clean technology manufacturers, such as Bio-Microbics, can now demonstrate the acceptability and effectiveness of their products.”

As one of the first systems to comply with applicable standards, the goal of Bio-Microbics with the BioBarrier MBR System is to use decentralized treatment technology for the benefit of water-reuse projects that reduce fresh water consumption and minimize effluent discharge. Integrated systems with reuse opportunities contribute more to Water savings. These savings are significant over time as water recycles through the system, allowing for less dependence on potable water sources.
Certification to the new NSF/ANSI 350 satisfies requirements for leading green building programs including USGBC LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes (2008) Water Efficiency credit for graywater reuse systems. Products certified to the NSF/ANSI 350, also could satisfy gray water use strategies under the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Green Building Certification program as an innovative practice.

“Bio-Microbics is pleased to receive the NSF-350 mark for Water Reuse,” says Bob Rebori, President of Bio-Microbics, Inc. “In relation to the other NSF marks we have acquired through thorough testing of NSF Standards 40 and NSF 245 for Nitrogen Reduction, the 350 mark offers qualitative advantages for products that bring about positive benefits for water reuse. The NSF/ANSI Standard programs have been accepted into the inspection-certification programs worldwide and continue to advocate for best practices for sanitation treatment.”
As these regulations and certification initiatives continue to improve and grow, and as newer ones are created, the opportunities for regulating green type building construction through certification will also improve. As more countries follow these protocols, guidelines and gain the assistance of the international community, making green sustainability a right to which all peoples are entitled and are afforded, the certification programs will eventually become mandatory, versus a matter of choice for individuals and governments.

NSF developed the only American national standard for evaluating onsite water reuse technologies to ensure they properly treat graywater (i.e. wastewater generated from activities such as laundry and bathing) and combined wastewater (i.e. all sources of wastewater generated within a residence or building) for reuse in non-potable applications. NSF/ANSI Standard 350 establishes materials, design and construction, and performance requirements for onsite residential and commercial reuse treatment systems and sets water quality requirements for the reduction of chemical and microbiological contaminants for non-potable water use. Treated wastewater (i.e. treated effluent) can be used for restricted indoor water use, such as toilet and urinal flushing, and outdoor unrestricted water use, such as lawn irrigation.

"We are proud of our hard-earned reputation as being the leading decentralized treatment manufacturer in the world, but we are even more proud of our dedication and investment to doing business in a way that is healthy for our environment and community,” said Rebori. “The new standard through NSF will further define appropriate technology for any building construction that offers water reuse to make further improvements for the benefit of human health, the environment and the economy. No other entity focuses or certifies systems for wastewater treatment more so than the NSF International.”