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Green STP Technology

MBBR — The Resilient Workhorse — Biofilm That Bounces Back

MBBR is a continuous-flow biological process where the biomass lives as a protected biofilm on free-moving plastic carriers instead of floating in the mixed liquor. No sludge recirculation, no dependence on settling characteristics, and outstanding tolerance to shock loads — the pragmatic, low-OPEX choice for buildings with simple operating teams.

GS-10-MBBR · GS-25-MBBR · GS-50-MBBR · GS-100-MBBR — continuous-flow biofilm systems with anoxic + aerobic staging.

Explore MBBR Models Get MBBR Quote
Chemical-Free BiologyBest-in-class Shock Tolerance0.25–0.7 kWh/KL10–100 KLD

Where MBBR fits best

  • Buildings prioritising the lowest possible running cost
  • Sites with unpredictable or seasonal load patterns
  • Retrofits and capacity upgrades of existing aeration tanks
  • Owners with limited operator skill availability

Consider another technology when

  • Contracts demanding guaranteed BOD <10 without tertiary treatment
  • Projects with strict total nitrogen or phosphorus limits
  • Direct high-grade reuse such as cooling tower makeup

How it works

Attached Growth — Biology That Stays Put

MBBR carriers are 10–25 mm polyethylene elements with a specific gravity of ~0.95, carrying 500–800 m²/m³ of protected surface area (up to 1,200–1,600 m²/m³ for high-surface variants). Filled to 50–67% of reactor volume and kept in motion by diffused air or mixers, they hold a dense, resilient biofilm that cannot be washed out by a hydraulic surge.

What happens · 12 hr buffer

1. Screening & Equalization

Coarse solids are screened out and flow is equalized so the biofilm reactors see a steady hydraulic and organic load.

Why it matters

Continuous-flow biology performs best on a flat load curve — the EQ tank does that job.

Process flow diagram

MBBR — end-to-end treatment train

Every unit operation from raw sewage to reuse-grade water, including pre-treatment and the sludge branch.

MBBR Process Flow Diagram

Attached-growth biofilm on free-moving carriers, followed by a tube-settler clarifier. Biomass stays in the reactor, so shock loads do not wash the process out.

1Raw Sewage200–350 mg/L BOD
2Bar ScreenCoarse + fine solids
3Oil & Grease TrapSkimmer, FOG removal
4Equalisation Tank8–12 hr buffer + air mixing
5Anoxic ChamberDenitrification, N removal
6MBBR ReactorK1/K3 carriers, 500–800 m²/m³
7Tube SettlerSolid–liquid separation
8PSF + ACFPressure sand & carbon
9UV / ChlorinationDisinfection, FC <100
10Treated Water TankFlushing • Landscape • Cooling

Sludge branch — from Tube Settler

1Sludge HoldingAerobic digestion
2DewateringFilter press / drying bed
3Soil ConditionerChemical-free bio-sludge
InletPre-treatmentBiological corePolishingReuseSludge

Why MBBR?

Eight reasons consultants specify MBBR

Engineering advantages that show up in your compliance record, your energy bill and your maintenance calendar.

Superb Shock Load Tolerance

Biofilm is physically protected inside the carrier — a hydraulic or organic surge cannot wash the biomass out the way it can in suspended-growth systems.

Chemical-Free Carbon & Ammonia Removal

Attached-growth bacteria handle BOD and nitrification biologically. No coagulant, no flocculant, no chlorine in the process line.

Lowest Energy of the Mechanical Options

0.25–0.7 kWh/KL across the range — the leanest running cost of any powered Green STP technology in the portfolio.

Mechanically Simple

No sludge recirculation pumps, no batch valves, no decanters. Fewer moving parts means fewer failure points and a shorter operator learning curve.

Compact Continuous-Flow Layout

1.0–2.5 m²/KLD footprint. Retrofits neatly into an existing aeration tank — an easy upgrade path for underperforming legacy plants.

Low Sludge Production

Long biofilm solids retention time means less waste sludge to handle, store and dispose of — lower desludging frequency and cost.

15-Year Media Life

Carriers are rated for 15+ years of continuous service with no replacement schedule and no consumable spend.

Easy Capacity Upgrade

Adding carrier fill (within the 50–67% band) raises treatment capacity without adding a single tank — future-proofing at minimal cost.

Compare all 5 technologies

Performance guarantee

We don't just promise — we prove

Every installation is validated by an independent NABL-accredited laboratory. Three consecutive daily samples at full load, compared against the guarantee, before handover.

ParameterTypical Indian InletGreen STP OutletCPCB NormMargin of Safety
BOD (mg/L)200–35010–20≤10Meets with tertiary polishing
COD (mg/L)400–70050–100≤50Polishing filter recommended
TSS (mg/L)200–40010–30≤20Clarifier + filter
pH6.5–8.06.5–8.56.5–9.0Well within range
Ammoniacal Nitrogen (mg/L)25–50<10≤5 (emerging)Size nitrification stage accordingly
Total Nitrogen (mg/L)40–7015–25≤10 (emerging)Requires dedicated anoxic zone
Fecal Coliform (MPN/100mL)10⁶ – 10⁸<100<100UV disinfection standard
Phosphorus5–15Chemical dosing neededSite-specificNot a biological-P process

MBBR guarantees assume domestic sewage within the design basis and include the secondary clarifier, media-retention screens and UV. Where BOD <10 mg/L and TSS <20 mg/L are contractually required, Sarvo supplies MBBR with a tertiary filter package or recommends SBR/MBR instead.

Reuse applications: Toilet flushing and landscape irrigation with tertiary filtration · Floor and vehicle washing · Dust suppression · Construction curing. Add sand + carbon filtration where TSS <10 mg/L is required.

Download Datasheet

Model lineup

Four MBBR capacities, one engineering standard

Every model carries the same effluent guarantee. What changes is capacity, configuration and redundancy.

GS-10-MBBR

Compact Biofilm Starter

10 KLD
Serves
75–100 population equivalent
Configuration
FRP / MS Packaged
Reactors
Anoxic 1.0–1.5 m³ + Aerobic 3.5–5.0 m³
Footprint
10–18 m²
Power
2–3 kW
Delivery
3–4 weeks

Best for: Small apartments, schools, offices with basic operating teams

Full specification
Capacity
10 KLD
Population Equivalent
75–100
Anoxic Tank
1.0–1.5 m³
Aerobic Tank
3.5–5.0 m³
Carrier Fill
60%
Carrier Quantity
2.5–3.5 m³
Clarifier Area
2–3 m²
Blower
30–50 Nm³/hr
Energy
0.4–0.7 kWh/KL
Get quote for GS-10-MBBR

GS-25-MBBR

The Everyday Performer

25 KLD
Serves
185–250 population equivalent
Configuration
Civil / MS Tank
Reactors
Anoxic 2.5–3.5 m³ + Aerobic 8–12 m³
Footprint
22–35 m²
Power
4–6 kW
Delivery
8–10 weeks

Best for: Mid apartments, hotels, commercial buildings

Full specification
Capacity
25 KLD
Population Equivalent
185–250
Anoxic Tank
2.5–3.5 m³
Aerobic Tank
8–12 m³
Carrier Fill
60%
Carrier Quantity
6–9 m³
Clarifier Area
5–7 m²
Blower
60–100 Nm³/hr
Energy
0.35–0.6 kWh/KL
Get quote for GS-25-MBBR

GS-50-MBBR

Campus Scale

50 KLD
Serves
370–500 population equivalent
Configuration
Civil Tank (RCC)
Reactors
Anoxic 5–7 m³ + Aerobic 16–24 m³
Footprint
40–60 m²
Power
7–12 kW
Delivery
10–12 weeks

Best for: Large apartments, institutional campuses, industrial estates

Full specification
Capacity
50 KLD
Population Equivalent
370–500
Anoxic Tank
5–7 m³
Aerobic Tank
16–24 m³
Carrier Fill
60%
Carrier Quantity
12–18 m³
Clarifier Area
8–14 m²
Blower
120–200 Nm³/hr
Energy
0.3–0.5 kWh/KL
Get quote for GS-50-MBBR

GS-100-MBBR

Township Grade

100 KLD
Serves
740–1,000 population equivalent
Configuration
Civil Tank (RCC)
Reactors
Anoxic 10–14 m³ + Aerobic 32–48 m³
Footprint
70–110 m²
Power
12–22 kW
Delivery
12–16 weeks

Best for: Townships, large mixed-use developments, transport hubs

Full specification
Capacity
100 KLD
Population Equivalent
740–1,000
Anoxic Tank
10–14 m³
Aerobic Tank
32–48 m³
Carrier Fill
60%
Carrier Quantity
25–36 m³
Clarifier Area
16–28 m²
Blower
200–400 Nm³/hr
Energy
0.25–0.45 kWh/KL
Get quote for GS-100-MBBR

Not sure which capacity fits your building?

Size it in 60 seconds with the calculator

MBBR range — quick comparison

ParameterGS-10-MBBRGS-25-MBBRGS-50-MBBRGS-100-MBBR
Rated Capacity10 KLD25 KLD50 KLD100 KLD
Population Equivalent75–100185–250370–500740–1,000
Carrier Quantity2.5–3.5 m³6–9 m³12–18 m³25–36 m³
Clarifier Area2–3 m²5–7 m²8–14 m²16–28 m²
Blower Air30–50 Nm³/hr60–100 Nm³/hr120–200 Nm³/hr200–400 Nm³/hr
Connected Power2–3 kW4–6 kW7–12 kW12–22 kW
Specific Energy0.4–0.7 kWh/KL0.35–0.6 kWh/KL0.3–0.5 kWh/KL0.25–0.45 kWh/KL
Footprint10–18 m²22–35 m²40–60 m²70–110 m²

Application guide

Who is this for?

Select your building type to highlight the recommended model above.

ApplicationTypical GenerationRecommended ModelKey ConsiderationDigital Tier
Apartments (30–60 units)8–12 KLDGS-10-MBBRSimplest operation of the powered optionsBasic
Apartments (80–200 units)20–30 KLDGS-25-MBBRLowest running cost for cost-sensitive RWAsSmart
Hotels & Resorts15–40 KLDGS-25 / GS-50-MBBRBiofilm shrugs off seasonal occupancy swingsSmart
Schools & Colleges5–20 KLDGS-10 / GS-25-MBBRSurvives long vacation shutdowns and restarts fastBasic
Industrial Canteens / Estates20–50 KLDGS-50-MBBRHandles high, variable organic loadingSmart
STP Retrofits & UpgradesAnyCarrier retrofitAdd carriers to an existing aeration tank to raise capacityBasic / Smart
Which model fits your project? Run the calculator

Equipment & automation

Everything in the scope, specified and warranted by Sarvo

Single-source accountability — every component is specified, procured, factory-tested and warranted by us.

Download full technical specification

The economics

Your STP pays for itself

Water savings + zero chemical cost + compliance. Move the sliders to see the indicative picture for your project.

Treated water reused
6,800 KL/yr
Annual water savings
INR 54,40,000
Annual STP OPEX
INR 1,36,000
Net annual benefit
INR 53,04,000
Simple payback0.4 yrs

Indicative only — based on 340 operating days, catalogue OPEX bands and typical reuse fractions for MBBR. A site survey produces the binding number.

Run the full 5-step calculator
Cost / Saving ElementGS-10-MBBRGS-25-MBBRGS-50-MBBRGS-100-MBBR
Indicative CAPEX (INR Lakhs)7–1215–2426–4248–75
Annual Electricity Cost (INR)24,000–42,00060,000–90,0001,08,000–1,80,0001,80,000–3,00,000
Annual Chemical CostZEROZEROZEROZERO
Annual Operator Cost (part-time)NIL–30,00048,000–96,0001,00,000–1,60,0001,60,000–2,20,000
Total Annual OPEX (INR)30,000–78,0001,20,000–2,00,0002,20,000–3,50,0003,60,000–5,40,000
OPEX per KL Treated (INR)8–2113–2212–1910–15
Annual Water Savings* (INR)2,40,000–4,00,0006,00,000–10,00,00012,00,000–20,00,00024,00,000–40,00,000
Simple Payback Period3–4 years2.5–3.5 years2–3 years2–3 years

*Same reuse basis as the SBR range: 80% of treated water reused, tanker water at INR 800/KL. MBBR CAPEX is typically 10–15% below the equivalent SBR model.

Project references

MBBR plants delivered across India

Installed MBBR references with capacity, scope of supply and measured outcome.

100 KLD2022

Riverside township — Phase 1

Pune, Maharashtra · Residential

Scope
MBBR with aeration-tank retrofit of an existing civil structure
Outcome
Capacity uprated 60% with no new civil footprint
Reuse
Flushing across four towers
50 KLD2024

IT park amenity block

Hyderabad, Telangana · Commercial

Scope
Packaged MBBR, tertiary PSF/ACF, oil & grease pre-treatment
Outcome
Handles weekday-to-weekend load swings without operator intervention
Reuse
Flushing + car-wash bay
35 KLD2023

Coastal resort with seasonal load

North Goa · Hospitality

Scope
MBBR with odour containment and monsoon-season shutdown protocol
Outcome
Biofilm restarts to full performance in under 72 hours after low season
Reuse
Landscape + gardens
All Sarvo project references

Proof in the field

MBBR projects and outcomes

Representative project profiles from the Sarvo reference framework — indicative of typical outcomes at these capacities.

Bengaluru, Karnataka

MBBR retrofit at a 180-unit residential complex

Capacity
25 KLD
Tanker spend cut
72%
Payback
3.2 years
“The odour complaints stopped in the first month. The tanker bill is what convinced the general body.”

— RWA Secretary

Pune, Maharashtra

MBBR for a 120-room business hotel

Capacity
40 KLD
Reuse
Flushing + landscape
Compliance
CTO renewed
“Occupancy swings from 35% to full. The plant simply does not care — the report is the same.”

— Chief Engineer

Hyderabad, Telangana

MBBR at a multi-block educational campus

Capacity
60 KLD
Energy
0.9 kWh/KL
Uptime
99.2%
“Remote monitoring means our facilities team of two can run the plant without a specialist.”

— Campus Facilities Head

Explore the other Green STP technologies

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The Proven Performer — Batch-Perfect Biology

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Treat Locally, Reuse Locally — Buried, Silent, Almost Invisible

View technology Constructed Wetland

Nature-Based Treatment — Near-Zero Energy, 25+ Year Life

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Ready for MBBR done properly?

Get a site-specific design, a performance guarantee and indicative pricing — usually within three working days of the survey.

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