Process Control · Filamentous Organisms & Bulking
Zoogloea (Slime Bulking)
Not a true filament — excessive gelatinous exopolymer production that causes a similar settling problem.
Zoogloea bulking produces a slimy, jelly-like floc matrix rather than true filaments, but produces a comparably poor-settling, high-SVI sludge.
Commonly triggered by high-carbohydrate, readily biodegradable industrial waste (food processing, brewing) combined with nutrient deficiency.
Fix: address the specific industrial contributor's loading pattern and confirm adequate nitrogen and phosphorus relative to the carbohydrate-rich BOD load.
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