At the Class B level, running an alternative biological process well is no longer just about catching problems — it is about deliberately tuning the system to get the most treatment capacity and reliability out of the infrastructure you have. This guide covers loading rate optimization for trickling filters, multi-cell lagoon management, two newer alternative technologies (the sequencing batch reactor and the moving bed biofilm reactor), and how to think about the tradeoffs between fixed-film/lagoon processes and conventional activated sludge when your system is evaluating capacity or upgrade options.
Trickling Filter Loading Rate Optimization
Two loading rate concepts govern how hard a trickling filter is working, and both are central to optimizing its performance:
Hydraulic loading rate (HLR) describes how much total flow (raw influent plus recirculated flow) is applied per u