Biocarriers pollution throughout Europe

In 2007, Surfrider volunteers noticed the recurring presence of plastic cylinders on the beaches of the Bay of Biscay. After investigating, they identified these objects as filter media, developpement supports for the bacteria used in wastewater treatment plants. These discs, just a few millimeters thick, enable micro-organisms to settle, proliferate and digest suspended matter in the water.

LARGE-SCALE POLLUTION

Surfrider has become the leading NGO on this pollution problem. Through documents, reports and articles, we have documented numerous cases of pollution. Since the beginning of the testimonies, pollution cases has been recorded all around Europe :

on the Seine River in France, on the Rio Miño in Portugal, In Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva, in Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Italy and Portugal…

Today one can tell that this type of pollution has no border.

A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON BIOCARRIER ISSUES

We visited wastewater treatment plants, spoke to many industry professionals and spent time on the field to understand how these waste water treatment plants using biocarriers work. We compared the malfunctions observed to come up with recommendations that will prevent further discharges of biocarriers into the natural environment.

HOW TO REPORT?

Have you noticed the presence of biocarriers on the banks of a watercourse or on a beach? Tell us about it! Simply fill in the form here.