Abstract: A method is described for recovering resources from a microbe supporting environment such as a water treatment system, comprising the steps of using microbial DNA sequencing to analyze the microbiome of the microbe supporting environment and identifying adjustments to the microbial content of the microbiome that will be useful in extracting resources from the microbe supporting environment such as a water treatment system, wherein the resources extracted can include, for example, methane released by microbes, nitrogen, phosphorus, or other contaminants generated by microbes, and/or clean water obtained by removing contaminants in a water treatment system.

Abstract: A process for biological nutrient removal including: receiving fluid having sludge in a basin through a sludge inlet; activating an aeration system based at least partially on a time of day; periodically measuring a potassium level of the fluid; determining a potassium rate of change based on the periodic measurements of potassium level; and deactivating the aeration system based at least partially on the determined potassium rate of change. A system for biological nutrient removal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described for recovering resources from a microbe supporting environment such as a water treatment system, comprising the steps of using microbial DNA sequencing to analyze the microbiome of the microbe supporting environment and identifying adjustments to the microbial content of the microbiome that will be useful in extracting resources from the microbe supporting environment such as a water treatment system, wherein the resources extracted can include, for example, methane released by microbes, nitrogen, phosphorus, or other contaminants generated by microbes, and/or clean water obtained by removing contaminants in a water treatment system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of detecting, identifying, and quantifying microbes in a wastewater treatment process or facility. The invention identifies the microbes by manipulation of their DNA. Microbes are collected, and a portion of the DNA sequence of a particular gene that is found in microbes is amplified. The amplified DNA sequence contains a highly variable region that can be used identify the microbe. Each amplified DNA sequence is matched against known sequences in various microbes. The identity of the microbes present in a sample can be determined and, sometimes, their biological functions too. Also, the relative quantities of the microbes, compared to the total microbial pool, can be determined. With this information, harmful microbes can be identified and targeted for removal from the wastewater, and beneficial microbes can be cultivated as desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting contaminants of microbial origin in a water distribution system and, more particularly, to a method of identifying the microbes contaminating the system, by manipulation of the DNA of the microbes. The microbes are collected, and a portion of the DNA sequence of a particular gene that is found in microbes is amplified. The portion of the DNA sequence that is amplified contains a highly variable region and the identity of the microbe can be determined by that DNA sequence. Each amplified DNA sequences is matched against the known sequences of corresponding regions in the DNA sequences of various microbes. Thus, the spectrum of microbial contaminants, and their relative quantities, can be identified in the liquid collected from different locations of the water distribution system.

Abstract: A process for biological nutrient removal including: receiving fluid having sludge in a basin through a sludge inlet; activating an aeration system based at least partially on a time of day; periodically measuring a potassium level of the fluid; determining a potassium rate of change based on the periodic measurements of potassium level; and deactivating the aeration system based at least partially on the determined potassium rate of change. A system for biological nutrient removal is also disclosed.