Simple & Effective
The Ecopod alternative septic system by Delta Treatment Systems is designed to be dropped directly into a standard septic tank. It uses a fixed-film process to treat wastewater, significantly reducing BOD and TSS levels before discharge.
The ECOPOD® Advanced Wastewater Treatment Unit
The ECOPOD® is a cylindrical treatment unit that installs inside an existing concrete or polyethylene septic tank — no tank replacement required. Inside the cylinder, thousands of plastic media pieces provide an immense surface area for biofilm to develop. A small, energy-efficient air pump delivers oxygen to the media, creating an aerobic zone within what would otherwise be an anaerobic tank. Models such as the ECOPOD-N are engineered to achieve dramatic reductions in Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS), often exceeding secondary treatment standards required by Arizona health departments for alternative system approval.
How the MBBR Process Works
The ECOPOD operates on Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) principles. As effluent enters the unit, it contacts the continuously aerated media. Bacteria colonize the surface of every piece of media, forming a robust biofilm that digests organic matter and pathogens as wastewater passes through. Because the media is fixed inside the cylinder rather than freely moving through the tank, the system is self-contained and easy to service. For Arizona homeowners with an existing septic tank that is failing or requires an upgrade for county permit compliance, the ECOPOD retrofit path avoids costly full tank excavation and significantly extends the functional life of the existing infrastructure.
System Highlights
- Installs inside standard concrete or poly tanks
- Significantly reduces drainfield size requirements
- Low energy air pump operation
- Simple maintenance routine
