This episode of The Water Online Show's In The Flow podcast addresses the persistent challenge of nutrient removal in wastewater treatment. Hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling and guest Jose Jimenez, VP of Wastewater Treatment at Brown and Caldwell, discuss the ongoing impact of excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which fuel harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality.

Jimenez highlights the need for municipalities to balance environmental protection with economic realities, finding solutions that address both nutrients and emerging contaminants. He explains that algal blooms are likely worsening due to increased nutrient pollution, climate change (warmer waters and increased rainfall), and other factors like urbanization.

The discussion covers regulatory nutrient limits and the technologies available for efficient removal. While biological nutrient removal (BNR) is common, newer methodologies like aerobic granular sludge (AGS), membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs), and mobile organic biofilm (MOB) offer process intensification — maximizing treatment with fewer resources. Optimization, cost effectiveness, and nutrient recovery are key talking points as well.

Learn more by listening to the full interview.