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[[Image:Icon_anaerobic_filter.png |right|95px]]
'''An Anaerobic Filter is a fixed-bed biological reactor. As wastewater flows through the filter, particles are trapped and organic matter is degraded by the biomass that is attached to the filter material.'''
Active bacteria must be added to start up the Anaerobic Filter. The active bacteria can come from sludge from a septic tank that has been sprayed onto the filter material. The flow should be gradually increased over time, and the filter should be working at maximum capacity within six to nine months. With time, the solids will clog the pores of the filter. As well, the growing bacterial mass will become too thick and will break off and clog pores. A sedimentation tank before the filter is required to prevent the majority of settleable solids from entering the unit. Some clogging increases the ability of the filter to retain solids. When the efficiency of the filter decreases, it must be cleaned. Running the system in reverse mode to dislodge accumulated biomass and particles cleans the filters. Alternatively, the filter material can be removed and cleaned.
==Acknowledgements=={{:Acknowledgements Sanitation}} ==References and external links==
* Morel, A. and Diener, S. (2006). Greywater Management in Low and Middle-Income Countries, Review of different treatment systems for households or neighbourhoods. Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), Dübendorf, Switzerland. (Short summary including case studies, page 28.)
* Vigneswaran, S., et al. (1986). Environmental Sanitation Reviews: Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment-Attached growth and Sludge blanket process. Environmental Sanitation Information Center, AIT Bangkok, Thailand. (Design criteria and diagrams in Chapter 2.)
==Acknowledgements==
{{:Acknowledgements Sanitation}}