The Premier Tech REWATEC Passive Disinfection Filter (FDi) is a tertiary wastewater treatment system designed to reduce pathogenic organism concentrations in effluent from an Ecoflo biofilter. It is certified as a Class V treatment system under the NQ 3680-910 standard of the Bureau de Normalisation du Québec (BNQ). This system is particularly suited for sites where infiltration of wastewater through an absorption bed or polishing field is not feasible.
Function Description:
The FDi system receives treated wastewater from an Ecoflo biofilter, directing it to achieve a "tertiary treatment level with disinfection." It consists of a waterproof membrane enclosing a wastewater distribution system, a filtering sand bed with an aeration device, a treated wastewater collection system, and a pumping station. The pumping station facilitates both recirculation of treated water back to the disinfection filter's inlet and sampling of the final treated effluent.
The inlet zone of the FDi is designed to feed the sand filter vertically, comprising a layer of clean crushed stone atop a filtering sand layer. For Ecoflo biofilters with an integrated pump, effluent is distributed over this inlet zone via a pump and a low-pressure distribution system. For watertight bottom Ecoflo biofilters without an integrated pump, the PSA-240L pumping station and a low-pressure distribution system handle effluent distribution. For open or perforated bottom Ecoflo biofilters, water percolates by gravity from the biofilter directly to the FDi's inlet zone. These feeding systems ensure optimal distribution across the entire inlet zone. After vertical percolation through the sand layer, the water flows slowly along the FDi's length and is finally directed to the disposal mode through a collection pipe.
The FDi's operating principle allows for continuous or intermittent use without specific precautions or impact on treatment quality. No owner action is required to start the system, but adherence to operating guidelines is essential.
Important Technical Specifications:
The FDi system is part of a larger treatment train that includes a septic tank, an effluent filter, and an Ecoflo biofilter. The FDi's dimensions, as well as the model and number of Ecoflo biofilters, are determined based on the number of bedrooms in a house or the total daily domestic water flow of the building.
The recirculation station within the FDi is equipped with a pump, an on/off float, and an alarm float, all connected to a DCU-FDi control box. This control box, installed inside the house and visible, features a light indicator that activates upon a water recirculation problem. The indicator can be deactivated by pressing the "RÉARMEMENT / RESET" button, which also serves to test a recirculation cycle by holding it for 5 seconds.
Electrical connections must be performed by a certified electrician, using waterproof wire connectors for the recirculation station's electric connection box. Premier Tech recommends installing the electric connection box outside the station, on a post above ground, for accessibility and to prevent submersion. A dedicated independent circuit breaker is required for the DCU-FDi, and no other household equipment should be connected to it. Ecoflo biofilter electrical components also require independent circuit breakers (one for the pump, one for the alarm box).
Table 1 - Passive disinfection filter (FDi) dimensions:
(Note: L1* refers to Width of FDI, L2* refers to Width of inlet zone)
100% coco Ecoflo biofilter:
- Daily Flow (L): 1080 (2 and less bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 5.4
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 4.0
- Daily Flow (L): 1260 (3 bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 6.3
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 5.0
- Daily Flow (L): 1440 (4 bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 7.2
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 5.8
- Daily Flow (L): 1620 (4 bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* S.O.
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* S.O.
- Daily Flow (L): 1800 (5 bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 9.0
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 8.0
- Daily Flow (L): 2160 (6 bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 2 x 5.4
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 2 x 5.0
- Daily Flow (L): 2500 (6 bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 2 x 6.3
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 2 x 6.0
- Daily Flow (L): 3240 (No specific bedroom count)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 2 x 8.1
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 2 x 7.5
Bi-layer Ecoflo biofilter:
- Daily Flow (L): 1080 (2 and less bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 4.8
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 4 m
- Daily Flow (L): 1260 (3 bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 5.6
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 5 m
- Daily Flow (L): 1440 (4 bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 6.4
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 5 m
- Daily Flow (L): 1620 (4 bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 7.2
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 5.8 m
- Daily Flow (L): 1800 (5 bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 8.0
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 8.0 m
- Daily Flow (L): 2160 (6 bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 2 x 4.8
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 2 x 4.0 m
- Daily Flow (L): 2500 (6 bedrooms)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 2 x 5.6
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 2 x 4.8 m
- Daily Flow (L): 3240 (No specific bedroom count)
- Length of FDi (m): 7
- Width of FDi (L1) (m):* 2 x 7.2
- Width of inlet zone (L2) (m):* 2 x 5.8 m
Usage Features:
- Type of wastewater treated: Domestic wastewater from isolated dwellings, treated first by an Ecoflo biofilter (advanced secondary treatment, Class III).
- Drinking water filtration systems: Backwash from drinking water filtration systems (e.g., water softener, greensand filter) must never be sent to the wastewater treatment system, as it can negatively impact FDi operation.
- Prohibited discharges: Avoid discharging oil, grease, wax, resins, paints, solvents, petroleum products, pesticides, septic tank additives, non-biodegradable items (coffee beans, cigarette butts, sanitary napkins, tampons, condoms, cotton swabs), pharmaceutical products, pipe cleaners, toxic substances, or large quantities of household cleaning products into sinks, toilets, or the septic system.
- Physical restrictions:
- Never open the lid or enter the TLP-FDi disinfection filter's tank without authorization.
- Ensure all septic system access lids are at least 50 mm (2") above the landscaped lot surface and are never covered or buried.
- Never install a riser on the TLP-FDi recirculation tank access.
- Never drive a vehicle or place objects weighing more than 225 kg (500 lb) within 3 m (10') of the FDi. Inform landscapers of this guideline.
- Do not allow snow (shovelled or blown), rocks, or other heavy objects to accumulate on the septic system, as this can cause damage.
- Never use automatic toilet bowl cleaners.
- Never plant trees within 2 m (6' 5") of the FDi.
- Home requirements: The home must have a properly functioning air vent, and all plumbing must comply with local building codes. Premier Tech recommends a 100 mm (4") diameter pipe for the air vent. Any changes to the building's use or modifications to the Ecoflo biofilter or FDi must be authorized by local authorities and Premier Tech, otherwise, the warranty may be void.
- Commissioning: The owner must ensure that a professional electrician has made all electrical connections, the alarm box is functional, and all instructions in the owner's manual are followed. For cold season commissioning, contact Premier Tech After-Sales Service Department.
- Intermittent/Extended Absence and Winter Closure: The system's operating principle allows for permanent or intermittent use without impact on treatment quality. For extended absences or winter closure, contact Premier Tech After-Sales Service Department for guidance.
Maintenance Features:
The manual outlines maintenance requirements for the septic tank, Ecoflo biofilter, and the passive disinfection filter (FDi).
- Septic tank: Regular maintenance is crucial for the proper functioning of the entire system. It must be cleaned every time the septic tank or primary reactor is emptied. A service partner or qualified third party, as referred to in section 1x.2) of the Regulation respecting waste water disposal systems for isolated dwellings (Q-2, r.22), can perform the annual maintenance. For Ecoflo 100% treatment systems combined with an FDi disinfection filter, the flow regulator must be cleaned to remove particles that may have stuck to the surface.
- Ecoflo biofilter: Maintenance of the Ecoflo biofilter is performed by a local Premier Tech partner network or a qualified third party. This includes a visual inspection and verification of components as well as maintenance of the filtering media. The FDi owner must ensure the system's lid is easily accessible, never cover or bury the lid of the Ecoflo biofilter. After each inspection, a maintenance record should be kept with the Owner's Manual.
- Passive disinfection filter (FDi): The FDi requires no maintenance; however, an annual inspection among other electromechanical components TLP-FDi is mandatory according to the BNQ certification.
- Sampling: For tertiary treatment systems with disinfection, at least once every six months, a sample of the system's effluent must be analyzed to determine the concentration of fecal coliforms. The owner must send the analysis reports within 30 days of their receipt to the municipality or tertiary treatment system manager. The owner must keep reports for 5 years. Premier Tech provides an effluent analysis service every 6 months.
Troubleshooting (What to do in case of...):
- Activated alarm: If an alarm activates, contact Premier Tech's After-Sales Service Department.
- Prolonged power failure: If a power failure is prolonged, shut down the system to protect components from freezing. Contact Premier Tech's After-Sales Service Department for questions.
- Flooding: Certain sites are prone to flooding. This can lead to a malfunction in the septic system or affect the Ecoflo biofilter. If this happens, contact Premier Tech's After-Sales Service Department.
- Backflow: If backflow occurs, the primary/septic tank is usually the cause. Contact Premier Tech's After-Sales Service Department.
- Odours: Septic systems can generate gases and odours. The position of the air vent and other factors unrelated to the Ecoflo biofilter itself can prevent septic gases from dispersing properly. If this happens, contact Premier Tech's After-Sales Service Department.
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