GOT ODORS? GET BUGS! Bacteria are Your Sanitation Allies

Bacteria doesn't have a pleasant ring to it, does it? You may be surprised on how helpful and positive these little guys can be...Especially if you are a home owner with a septic tank or a boat. Take a holding tank on a houseboat for example. These bacteria tanks are essential to keeping our lakes, streams and waterways clean and healthy. I, for one, wouldn't want to stick a toe in a body of water in which these tanks were not in use. Bacteria are a necessary and crucial part of these tanks.

In accordance with stringent regulations, Congress passed the "Clean Vessel Act" in 1992 to reduce the pollution problems in overboard dumping of marine toilets, MSD's (marine sanitation devices) commonly known as holding tanks, were created. Unfortunately, problems of odor and waste removal from the holding tanks threatened to heed progress. Holding tanks are similar to septic tanks and the logic of bacteria degrading waste can be applied to both. Each of these tanks use the same technology to destroy human waste and other problematic organics. Naturally-occurring bacteria degrades this waste in both systems. Bacteria are present everywhere in our environment, such as in drinking water, streams, rivers, lakes and soil. But before you begin brushing your teeth with bottled water and re-plan your entire summer activities, remember these lil' Bugs are on our side. These non-pathogenic bacteria are responsible for the removal and purification of all waste material from the soil and water through a process called biological oxidation.

All bacteria are not bad, but they have over the years gotten a bad rap. Bacteria are either non-pathogenic which means they are harmless and abundant in nature or they are pathogenic or harmful and as luck would have it less abundant. Bacteria also come in several forms and perform specific functions while converting all organic waste to carbon dioxide and water. The microbes that are used in the holding tank of a houseboat for example are either live-vegetative or spore forming. Live vegetative are a bit more "fragile" than their spore alternative which are essentially encapsulated and just waiting to be called into action.

The friendly bacteria and their biological processes are absolutely essential to our environment and our daily lives. The REAL definition of biodegradable (a word that is used much too loosely by companies these days) is achieved by these helpful lil' Bugs. The biological process of good bacteria enables the conversion of all organic waste to carbon dioxide and water.

I don't have to explain to you what problems can be caused by waste that is "untreated" ie clogs, odors, unhealthy conditions...the list goes on. But how can you remedy these nuisances and larger concerns? You guessed it- with a little help from your friends :). When bacteria-based holding tank products are placed in the holding or septic tank and waste is introduced, the bacteria produce enzymes that convert the waste into a food source that the bacteria can eat. The bacteria need this food source to reproduce. The end product of the bacterial action is water and CO2-- completing nature's cycle.

Bio-enzymatic or bio-formulation holding and septic tank products are the most environmentally friendly way to treat such a tank. They treat the waste, turn it into liquid while getting rid of the bacteria that smell or cause odors. Other alternatives are to use harsh chemicals that negatively affect our environment including fish and other water animals. I would recommend using www.BacTANKT3.com products. As one of the hair replacement guys once said, "Not only am I VP, I am also a client."

Please note this Hub was created in part by using a previous article written by the founder and CEO of BacTANK T3. This previous article was highlighted in Houseboat Magazine. All information is true and is meant to be informational. For more information visit www.BacTankT3.com