Probiotic Microbiome Control + (Soft) Sensor MPC
➜ The new standard for emission reduction and water quality
By Leo Hoekstra, molecular microbiologist ecologist
The future of water treatment is predictive, more realtime data-driven and microbiome-driven. The integration of three technological pillars makes this possible:
Wastewater Monitoring
Real-time insight into nitrogen routes, phosphate, pathogens and SVHCs (PFAS, drug residues, micropollutants). AI-driven anomaly detection prevents breakthrough before it happens.
Probiotic Microbiome Control
Targeted reinforcement of the right microbial consortia stabilizes nitrification/denitrification, improves P-removal and increases the biodegradation of toxic substances. The microbiome thus becomes an active control variable.
(Soft) Sensor Model-Predictive Process Control
Soft sensor models link pH, ORP, DO, NH₄⁺, H₂S, EC and sludge parameters to virtual process variables such as microbial activity, toxicity load and predicted N and P removal. MPC proactively adjusts the system .
Result:
✔ Less emission of N and P to surface water
✔ Strong reduction of PFAS, drug residues, endocrine disruptors etc
✔ Better effluent quality
✔ Less energy, chemicals and disturbances
✔ Water purification that becomes self-learning, stable and predictive
People – Animals – Environment: the One Health connection. Technology is only 1 from the pallet of solutions required. Technology only becomes really powerful when data and microbiome engineering come together. AI as a helper only. Sorry AI.