Faulty septic installations represents a threat for our watercourses and lakes by contributing to their enrichment with nutrients; mainly nitrates and phosphorous. These elements are targeted as being responsible for the proliferation of the blue-green algae with all their known harmful effects.

Nevertheless, there are means of minimizing the loading of these unwanted nutrients. A recent document from the Department of Sustainable development, Parks Canada entitled "Prendre son lac en main" (Take Your Lake In Hand) tackles the question concerning the integrated management of lake drainage basins. Here we devote a section to autonomous wastewater treatment systems.

This document asserts, among other things that "The respect of the installation criteria and the adequate maintenance of autonomous wastewater systems reduce the flow of nutrients and bacteria towards aquatic environments. Some suggestions for good practices are:

• Regularly maintain the septic tank ;
• Drain all wastewater towards the septic tank;
• Avoid using additives in the system;
• Watch for indications that the septic tank is malfunctioning;
• Use soaps and cleaning products that have a low phosphorous content and reduce the usage of chemical cleaning products;
• Throw food, and other residues in the garbage (or composter) and not in the toilet;
• Do not use the grinder to eliminate food residues : these degrade easily in the septic installations and clog the system;
• Choose whenever possible, watertight systems, or, one with a high capacity to retain phosphorous".

Bionest is a designer and manufacturer of advanced and watertight systems which treat domestic wastewater. These products are manufactured and installed following high quality standards and each unit sold is maintained yearly by qualified technicians.

The BIONEST^TM is the only certified system in Quebec that eliminated more than 95% of the ammonia and 70% of the nitrates found in wastewater. A BIONEST^TM unit paired to an infiltration field of adequate size, allows for the elimination of undesirable nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous.

The installation of a BIONEST^TM treatment unit constitutes concrete action towards the protection of the aquatic environment by reducing the residues and the transfer of nutrients towards watercourses and lakes.

Bionest invests millions of dollars in research and development and intends to actively contribute to the reduction of pollution in the drainage basins via simple and efficient technologies.