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Organic loading rate is defined as the pounds of Biochemical Oxygen Demand applied to the trickling filter per 1,000 ft³ of volume of media per day.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand is the rate at which organisms use the oxygen in water orwastewater while stabilizing decomposable organic matter under aerobic conditions. In decomposition, organic matter serves as food for the bacteria and energy results from its oxidation.

Generally, organic loading is expressed in lb BOD/day/1,000 ft³.

In other words, it is the amount of organic loading, in pounds of BOD that is applied over a 10 foot wide by 10 foot long by 10 foot deep section of the filter during a 24-hour period.

Increased organic loadings lead to increased biological activity, where dissolved oxygen becomes depleted.

This calculator calculates the organic loading rate using biochemical oxygen demand, flow, volume values.