Protect your investment, ensure peak performance

Plastic crossflow media for trickling filters was introduced in the 1970’s to replace mineral media. Trickling filters have been the mainstay of biological water treatment for over 100 years, but with the advent of this new plastic media they were propelled into the 21st century, now being around one-third the size of a mineral filter for the same treatment, easy to operate, simple to maintain, economical to run, and a much more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution.

Brentwood has installed thousands of trickling filters worldwide and our experience in optimizing them for a vast array of water treatment requirements is unparalleled. We know our plastic media, its construction, how it performs and when it begins to show its age.

Introducing Media CheckUp

Plastic media generally has a design life of around 20 years and so recognizing its critical role in overall operational efficiency, we introduce our Media CheckUp, designed to keep your trickling filters operating at peak performance. This service inspects the plastic media installation to assess its condition, reviewing any damage that may have occurred, for example due to pedestrian traffic on the media, and advises on solutions to enable your assets to continue working reliably for a further two decades.

All findings, recommendations, and options are presented in a detailed written report, complete with a budget for immediate work and optional future expenditures.

Contact Us For More Information

Media CheckUp includes:

  • Site visit to evaluate the overall condition of the trickling filter and how it has been used and maintained.
  • Method statements and risk assessments for a rigorous inspection of the plastic media.
  • Removal of media blocks as required to assess the condition of the media below the top layer. It is not always possible to view the media in every layer, this is dependent on the overall depth and number of layers.
  • Specialist equipment to view the bottom layer, where access is possible via ventilation ports or drainage holes.
  • Checking the operation of the rotary distributor to ensure correct flow distribution, wetting rates and flushing intensity.
  • If the data is available, a design check to ensure the trickling filter is still providing sufficient biological treatment based on the current flows and loads and the discharge quality required.
Contact Us To Schedule Your Media CheckUp
Trickling Filter Walkthrough

Customer Case Study

REVITALIZING WASTEWATER TREATMENT: BRENTWOOD'S APPROACH ENSURES LONGEVITY AND EFFICIENCY
Plastic Media Revolutionizes Wastewater Treatment

Trickling filters have stood the test of time as a cornerstone of biological wastewater treatment. Renowned for their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness, they have been a go-to solution for municipal water companies. In the 1970s, the introduction of plastic crossflow media to replace traditional mineral media marked a significant leap forward in wastewater treatment technology. Municipal water companies quickly embraced this innovation due to its superior efficiency and compact design, revolutionizing the industry.

Plastic Media Revolutionizes Wastewater Treatment
Addressing Wear and Tear in Established Installations

After decades of reliable service, earlier installations utilizing plastic media are now reaching an important point. The design life of the plastic media is 25 years, and many trickling filters are approaching the need for review and maintenance.

In these cases, Brentwood can inspect the plastic media to assess condition and advise on solutions. This may simply involve replacing some or all of the plastic media, enabling these assets to continue operating for a further 25 years plus. Recently, a UK Municipal Water Company encountered signs of wear and tear in the plastic media of its trickling filters, signaling the need for intervention.

Brentwood's Collaborative Approach

Seeking a solution, the water company’s consulting partner turned to Brentwood, renowned for its expertise in water treatment solutions. Through a detailed desktop study, Brentwood confirmed the trickling filters were not performing to expectations and so further investigation was deemed necessary.

A comprehensive site visit revealed that the observed damage to the top layer of media was primarily attributed to heavy pedestrian traffic, a common challenge faced by aging installations. Although the top layer in a trickling filter is always supplied with heavy duty media and GRP walkways are available for common routes of access across the media, over the years some damage does still occur. Inspection of the media below the top layer identified no further issues.

Streamlined Replacement Process

Responding swiftly, Brentwood collaborated closely with the water company’s consulting partner to execute a seamless replacement strategy. By ordering and installing replacement media for the damaged top layers, the trickling filters were swiftly returned to optimum performance. Notably, the old media was responsibly recycled, aligning with sustainable practices.

Paving the Way for Decades of Reliable Performance

Through a combination of expertise, innovation, and collaboration, Brentwood ensured the uninterrupted operation of the trickling filters. The expected performance of the filters, following the period of re-seeding to achieve process, was delivered ahead of schedule, and these revitalized installations will now continue to serve communities reliably. Brentwood’s commitment to sustainable solutions underscores its dedication to environmental stewardship and customer satisfaction.

Plastic Media Revolutionizes Wastewater Treatment

Trickling filters have stood the test of time as a cornerstone of biological wastewater treatment. Renowned for their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness, they have been a go-to solution for municipal water companies. In the 1970s, the introduction of plastic crossflow media to replace traditional mineral media marked a significant leap forward in wastewater treatment technology. Municipal water companies quickly embraced this innovation due to its superior efficiency and compact design, revolutionizing the industry.

Plastic Media Revolutionizes Wastewater Treatment
Addressing Wear and Tear in Established Installations

After decades of reliable service, earlier installations utilizing plastic media are now reaching an important point. The design life of the plastic media is 25 years, and many trickling filters are approaching the need for review and maintenance.

In these cases, Brentwood can inspect the plastic media to assess condition and advise on solutions. This may simply involve replacing some or all of the plastic media, enabling these assets to continue operating for a further 25 years plus. Recently, a UK Municipal Water Company encountered signs of wear and tear in the plastic media of its trickling filters, signaling the need for intervention.

Brentwood's Collaborative Approach

Seeking a solution, the water company’s consulting partner turned to Brentwood, renowned for its expertise in water treatment solutions. Through a detailed desktop study, Brentwood confirmed the trickling filters were not performing to expectations and so further investigation was deemed necessary.

A comprehensive site visit revealed that the observed damage to the top layer of media was primarily attributed to heavy pedestrian traffic, a common challenge faced by aging installations. Although the top layer in a trickling filter is always supplied with heavy duty media and GRP walkways are available for common routes of access across the media, over the years some damage does still occur. Inspection of the media below the top layer identified no further issues.

Streamlined Replacement Process

Responding swiftly, Brentwood collaborated closely with the water company’s consulting partner to execute a seamless replacement strategy. By ordering and installing replacement media for the damaged top layers, the trickling filters were swiftly returned to optimum performance. Notably, the old media was responsibly recycled, aligning with sustainable practices.

Paving the Way for Decades of Reliable Performance

Through a combination of expertise, innovation, and collaboration, Brentwood ensured the uninterrupted operation of the trickling filters. The expected performance of the filters, following the period of re-seeding to achieve process, was delivered ahead of schedule, and these revitalized installations will now continue to serve communities reliably. Brentwood’s commitment to sustainable solutions underscores its dedication to environmental stewardship and customer satisfaction.

For More Information

Download our brochure on Biofilm Processes

Learn more about wastewater treatment and potable water treatment

Take a look at our trickling filter webinar series

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