The Amalgam Blogs

Overview A winter STP does not always need a new tank, new equipment, or a different treatment process when MLSS starts falling. This article follows a different approach: looking at the bacterial population before making physical changes to the plant. It explains what happened when low temperatures affected the existing biomass and how cold-region bacteria for STPs can be used alongside an existing treatment setup. The article also covers the points operators should check be

Overview This blog looks at a winter STP problem from the operator's point of view: BOD removal started falling even though the equipment was running normally. It explains how low temperatures can slow bacteria in the aeration tank and affect treated-water results. It also covers the checks operators should make before changing the plant settings. The blog then explains where low-temperature bacteria, such as Amalgam Biotech's Cold Region Bacteria STP, can fit into winter sew

Overview This blog looks at why pond sludge removal can fail during winter, even when the same method works well in warmer months. It explains how low temperatures reduce microbial activity, slow organic sludge degradation, and contribute to pond sludge accumulation. The blog also explains why cold-active bacteria can be useful for biological pond cleaning in winter and how Amalgam Biotech’s Cold Region Bacteria Pond Cleaner can support cold water pond treatment. ​ “We cleane

Overview This blog explains the common challenges of cleaning ponds in cold climates and why normal pond-cleaning methods may not work as expected during winter. It covers slow microbial activity, sludge accumulation, poor decomposition, and changes in pond water quality. The blog also explains how cold water beneficial bacteria can support biological pond cleaning in low temperatures. Amalgam Biotech’s Cold Region Bacteria Pond Cleaner is discussed as an option for ponds tha

Overview This blog explains the best fat oil and grease control systems for restaurants and commercial kitchens in India. It covers grease traps, mechanical systems and biological treatment methods for managing FOG in kitchen wastewater. The blog also compares biological and mechanical grease control and shares simple ways to reduce grease in restaurant drains. It also explains how BactaServe FOG Powder can support restaurant grease treatment and FOG management. The best fat

Overview This blog explains the best products to prevent grease buildup in kitchen drains, with a focus on restaurants and commercial kitchens. It covers biological drain cleaners, grease digesting bacteria, drain treatments and regular kitchen drain maintenance. The blog also explains how biological grease treatments work and how they can help control grease before it causes blockages and odour. BactaServe FOG Powder is discussed as a biological option for ongoing grease con

Overview In this blog we have precisely explained what bioculture is for composting and how it helps break down organic waste. It covers the role of composting bacteria, composting microbes and beneficial microorganisms in the composting process. The blog also explains how bioculture works, its benefits and when it should be added to compost. It also covers the importance of oxygen and moisture when using microbial products for organic waste composting. Bioculture for compos

Overview In this blog, we have explained how to choose the best composting bioculture products available in India for different types of organic waste. It covers the role of composting bacteria, aerobic microbes, and compost inoculants in breaking down waste. The blog also explains what buyers should check before choosing a composting bioculture product for commercial use. BactaServe Composting by Amalgam Biotech is presented as an option for food waste, garden waste, agricul

Overview A septic tank is supposed to break down waste naturally. Yet when sludge builds up, drains slow down or unpleasant smells start coming from toilets and drainage lines, many people reach for chemical additives. We took a different view. Instead of adding harsh chemicals to a system that already depends on microorganisms, we looked at biological treatment and the role of septic tank bacteria in breaking down organic waste. That shift led us to BactaServe Septic, a micr

Overview Our septic tank kept smelling even after repeated treatment. The problem was not simply the odour; we needed to understand what was happening inside the tank. Septic systems depend on microorganisms to break down biodegradable waste, while excess solids, poor drainage, vent faults and other issues can cause unpleasant smells. This made us look more closely at the biological side of septic tank maintenance. A septic tank treatment powder such as BactaServe Septic uses

Overview A high COD reading does not always mean a biological treatment plant needs more bacteria. In a paper mill, COD can come from easily biodegradable material as well as lignin, fibres, sizing agents, colour compounds and other substances that microorganisms may break down slowly. This changed how we looked at our pulp and paper wastewater treatment process. Instead of treating COD as one problem, we began asking what was creating it, where it entered the ETP and which p

Overview Pulp and paper industry wastewater treatment can be difficult when COD remains high and foam keeps returning. Paper mill wastewater may contain cellulose, lignin, fibres, colour-causing materials, sizing agents and surfactants. Some of these materials can be hard for microorganisms to break down. This article explains how we checked the causes of repeated COD and foam problems, reviewed the biological tank and supported microbial activity. It also covers common treat

Overview Pharmaceutical wastewater can be difficult to treat because its chemical content can change with each production batch. High COD, solvents, drug residues and certain organic compounds may affect the bacteria inside an ETP. When this happens, COD removal may become unstable. This blog explains the problems we faced with wastewater treatment for pharmaceutical industry operations and what we checked to improve biological treatment. We cover COD loading, oxygen, pH, mic

Overview Wastewater from pharmaceutical plants can contain solvents, drug residues, APIs and high levels of organic matter. A single treatment product cannot remove every pollutant. Good pharma wastewater treatment normally uses different treatment stages based on what is present in the water. These may include pH correction chemicals, coagulants, biological cultures, activated carbon and other treatment products. In this blog, we explain the main products used for pharmaceut

Overview Nitrogen and phosphorus are common nutrients in industrial wastewater. If too much reaches rivers or lakes, it can cause heavy algae and plant growth, which can lower oxygen levels in the water. Industries may need special treatment stages to control these nutrients before discharge. Choosing nutrient removal equipment for industrial wastewater depends on the type of wastewater, nitrogen and phosphorus levels, discharge limits and the existing treatment plant. This b

Overview Nitrogen and phosphorus are needed for plant growth, but too much of them in treated wastewater can harm rivers and lakes. Treatment plants use biological, chemical and physical methods to bring these nutrients down before discharge. The right method depends on the wastewater, nutrient levels and local discharge limits. This blog explains the main technologies used for nutrient removal in wastewater treatment, including nitrification, denitrification, biological phos

Overview An aerobic digester depends on microorganisms and oxygen to break down organic matter in sludge. When conditions inside the tank change, digestion can slow down. Operators may notice foam, poor sludge settling, bad odour or rising solids. Good aerobic digester troubleshooting starts by finding the cause rather than treating only the visible problem. This blog covers common aerobic digester problems, including low dissolved oxygen, weak biomass, foaming and poor aerat

Overview Aerobic and anaerobic treatment both use microorganisms to break down organic matter in wastewater, but their running costs can be quite different. Aerobic systems need a continuous supply of air, while anaerobic systems work without oxygen. This difference affects electricity use, sludge production, equipment and daily plant operation. The operational costs of aerobic vs anaerobic treatment also depend on wastewater strength, plant size and discharge requirements. T

"निर्मल गंगा, अविरल गंगा" - A Clean Ganga, A Continuous Ganga. For millions of Indians, the Ganga is more than a river. She is faith, culture, livelihood, and life itself. Yet, every day, untreated wastewater, organic waste, and pollution quietly find their way into her waters. Protecting the Ganga is not the responsibility of one organisation or one initiative, it is a collective commitment towards the generations that will inherit her. At Amalgam Biotech, we believe meaning

Overview Bad smells from a sewage treatment plant can quickly lead to complaints from workers, nearby residents and visitors. We first looked at masking agents, which cover the smell for a short period. But covering an odour does not deal with the compounds producing it. This changed how we approached malodour removal in STP operations. Instead of focusing only on what people could smell, we looked at oxidation-based treatment that acts on odour-causing compounds. This blog e