Nexom® SAGR® post-lagoon nitrification will now be smaller and more cost-effective than ever

“The updated SAGR design represents a 35 to 65 percent reduction in size, as well as a cost reduction bolstered by a broader rock specification,” said Martin Hildebrand, P.Eng., Axius Water chief technology officer and co-inventor of the SAGR process. “What hasn’t changed is its ability to reliably achieve non-detect ammonia in near-freezing lagoon effluent.” 

Extensive multi-year research and development efforts have rigorously demonstrated that both the physical footprint and the overall volume of SAGR beds can be reduced, allowing for easier integration into existing wastewater treatment facilities. 

Nexom has also approved a broader range of acceptable rock sizes specified for the SAGR media, on which it grows the critical nitrifying bacteria. A broader specification has a twofold impact: it increases the availability of suitable rock, often leading to increased competition and reduced transport costs. Additionally, the broader specification has been designed in collaboration with quarries to produce a “3/4-down” waste product, a standard aggregate that quarries can sell, thereby further reducing media costs. 

“Combining our experience at more than 170 full-scale SAGR installations, along with our R&D test facilities and full-scale pilots, has given us new insight into how the SAGR performs,” said Merle Kroeker, P.Eng., Nexom director of process engineering. “We’re excited to see the impact a smaller, more cost-effective SAGR will have on North American communities that rely on lagoon infrastructure.” 

Redesigned systems are already being installed in Blue Grass, Iowa, and Winkler, Manitoba, and are available now for both greenfield projects and retrofits. Consulting engineers, plant operators, municipalities, and industrial dischargers are invited to visit Nexom’s website to learn more and download a white paper or contact the media relations team for further details. 

Media Contact:
Philip Wiebe, Director of Marketing, Nexom
Phone: (204) 949-8737
Email: philip.wiebe@nexom.com 

About Nexom®
Proven filtration, biological and lagoon-based wastewater solutions to reduce key nutrients that contribute to pollution. Nexom provides deep application expertise to consulting engineers who have unique customer challenges around process design flows, loads, and footprint. nexom.com

About Axius Water®
Axius Water was founded in 2019 by KKR’s Global Impact Fund, in partnership with XPV Water Partners. Axius’ differentiated products and services improve the effectiveness of the water and wastewater treatment process, thereby measurably improving the quality of treated water. Axius is expanding globally as it builds a diverse portfolio of leading solutions that improve the overall wastewater management processes. For additional information, please visit axiuswater.com.