Sizing a Containerized MBR STP for Bogotá Projects (2026 Guide)

Why a Containerized MBR Is a Strong Fit for Bogotá Residential and Camp Loads

A containerized membrane bioreactor (MBR) combines activated sludge with submerged ultrafiltration (UF) membranes in a factory-built ISO container, producing reuse-grade effluent from domestic sewage without the footprint of a conventional package plant. The ClearFox product page lists UF pore size at 0.02–0.04 µm, while the Pure Aqua MBR-C datasheet specifies 0.04 µm hollow-fibre PVDF membranes — both are tight enough to retain bacterial flocs, suspended solids and most viruses. The ClearFox page explains the underlying sizing logic: MBR operates at MLSS 8,000–12,000 mg/L versus roughly 3,000 mg/L in conventional activated sludge, so the aeration tank and container volume are smaller for an equivalent load.

Standard formats are 20 ft and 40 ft high-cube (HC) ISO containers, pre-piped, pre-wired, factory-tested and PLC-automated with remote monitoring options. For Bogotá, this matters in three ways: dense urban infill and gated communities have limited civil-works space; remote Bogotá savanna camp sites may lack municipal sewer coverage; and enclosed, odour-controlled operation is preferable near neighbours or guests. Modularity — adding containers in parallel as a housing estate is built out in phases — is part of the standard sales proposition. A HydropureWater integrated MBR membrane bioreactor system follows this same packaged architecture when adapted to local duty.

From Occupancy to Design Flow: The Sizing Calculation

Five steps convert an occupancy number into an auditable design flow that a reviewer can follow.

1. Count contributors. Sum full-time residents, plus daytime population shifts (offices, schools, clubhouse) and, for camps, rotating-shift workers. For a phased housing estate, use the design-year population, not the Phase 1 occupancy.
2. Assign a per-capita wastewater contribution. The Pure Aqua MBR-C datasheet sizes its standard models on a 50 gpd per capita basis (≈190 L/c/d). The value you apply must reflect local fixture counts, Colombian design practice and any water-reuse targets, and should be confirmed with the vendor before final selection.
3. Compute average dry weather flow (ADWF). ADWF = population × per-capita contribution. This is the working number for biological sizing.
4. Apply a peaking factor. For small residential communities, 2.0–2.5 is typical; for camps with shared showers, kitchens and laundries discharging simultaneously, 2.5–3.0 is more realistic. The exact figure depends on the diurnal profile; request a diurnal curve from the operator when possible.
5. Add an organic load check. Compute daily BOD in kg/d (commonly 40–60 g BOD/c·d for domestic sewage) and TKN in kg/d, then verify the selected container has enough aeration volume at the rated MLSS to nitrify that load. An undersized aeration tank is the most common cause of MBR underperformance.

These five steps yield an ADWF in m³/d for biological sizing and a peak hourly flow in m³/h for hydraulic sizing, both of which inform container selection. Readers who need a deeper parameter framework can compare against the MBR sewage design criteria we publish separately — see the MBR sewage design criteria guide for the engineering basis.

Matching Design Flow to Container Configuration

Selection is a rounding-up exercise against the manufacturer's capacity ladder. The Pure Aqua MBR-C datasheet shows four standard models, all sized on a 50 gpd per capita basis:

Round up so that peak flow plus a small operational margin sits inside the rated capacity. For phased Bogotá housing developments, specify modular units in parallel so capacity is added by adding containers rather than replacing the plant. Confirm that the unit ships as a high-cube (HC) ISO container with insulated walls, drum-screen pre-treatment at 1.5 mm perforation and built-in membrane cleaning with air scouring. For projects where the flow eventually exceeds one 40 ft unit's rating, a PVDF flat sheet MBR membrane module configuration can be considered as a parallel train.

Treated-Water Quality Targets the Container Must Hit

Datasheet numbers represent the floor of the specification, not the ceiling. The ClearFox product page lists the following typical MBR treated-water quality:

Confirm these targets against the project's discharge or reuse destination, such as surface water, Bogotá savanna landscaping irrigation or toilet flushing, and document the basis of design. The Pure Aqua MBR-C datasheet reports BOD < 10 mg/L, COD < 50 mg/L, TSS < 5 mg/L and NH₄-N < 2 mg/L as expected permeate quality. The exact reuse target should be confirmed with local Colombian authorities, as datasheet values do not represent performance guarantees. Specify a polishing/disinfection step (such as a pipeline UV sterilizer for reuse applications) if the planned reuse activity requires pathogen control beyond what UF alone achieves.

Bogotá-Specific Adjustments: Altitude, Temperature and Logistics

Generic manufacturer pages do not address the Bogotá savanna, so three local factors must be considered.

Altitude. Bogotá sits at roughly 2,640 m elevation. Lower atmospheric pressure reduces the oxygen-transfer efficiency of fine-bubble diffusers, so blower sizing and diffuser layout must be reviewed for the actual site altitude rather than sea-level defaults. Confirm a derating or larger blower is offered as an option.

Temperature. Bogotá's mean temperature is cooler than the 20–30 °C operating window published on many MBR datasheets. Confirm with the vendor that biological activity and nitrification remain adequate at the project's minimum design temperature, and adjust tank volume or MLSS setpoint if needed. Lower temperatures slow nitrification first; this is usually the limiting step on the Bogotá savanna.

Logistics. Confirm road access for a 20 ft or 40 ft ISO container — truck turning radius, crane pad, foundation slab — and that the container is "seaworthy" rated for the transport leg into the site. Specify standby pumps, PLC automation and remote monitoring to limit on-site operator hours.

Worked Example: Sizing for a 300-Person Camp Outside Bogotá

Apply the defined calculation steps to a concrete scenario.

Inputs. Population: 300 camp occupants. Per-capita contribution: 190 L/c·d (the 50 gpd benchmark from the Pure Aqua MBR-C datasheet, used here as an illustrative figure).

Calculations. ADWF = 300 × 190 = 57,000 L/d = 57 m³/d. Apply a peaking factor of 2.5 for camp-style simultaneous fixtures → peak flow ≈ 143 m³/d. Daily BOD at 50 g/c·d ≈ 15 kg/d; TKN at ~10 g/c·d ≈ 3 kg/d.

Container selection. Match against the MBR-C ladder: the 50 m³/d (1 × 20 ft) and 100 m³/d (1 × 40 ft) units are individually undersized for peak flow. A parallel train of two 40 ft units at 190 m³/d combined rated capacity provides margin for peak load, redundancy during maintenance, and future occupancy growth. Reconfirm treated-water quality targets and Bogotá-specific altitude/temperature adjustments before issuing the purchase order.

Sizing Checklist Before You Issue the Inquiry

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a containerized MBR STP typically cost for a Bogotá housing or camp project?

No public price list exists for containerized MBR systems because pricing depends on flow rate, effluent targets, container count, shipping and post-treatment. For a budget figure, request a fixed-price quote that itemises: container count, membrane model and area, blower derating for altitude, UV polishing, and a separate line for Bogotá logistics. The best approach is to compare two or three like-for-like quotes on the same duty specification.

How do I choose a reliable containerized MBR supplier for Colombia?

Ask for three things in writing: (1) a project reference list at similar altitude or temperature; (2) confirmation that the biological and hydraulic sizing can be adjusted for Bogotá's ~2,640 m elevation and cooler design temperature; and (3) a clear warranty and spares path in Colombia, including who services the membranes. A vendor that will only quote against a standard capacity ladder without discussing altitude derating is not yet qualified for this duty.

What peaking factor should I use for a Bogotá gated community versus a worker camp?

For a residential community with diurnal use spread across the day, a peaking factor of 2.0–2.5 is typical. For a worker camp where showers, kitchens and laundries all discharge in concentrated windows, 2.5–3.0 is more realistic. The exact figure depends on the diurnal profile — ask the operator for an hourly use curve rather than picking the higher number by default, as over-sizing the hydraulic train increases capital costs.

Can a containerized MBR meet Colombian discharge and reuse requirements on the Bogotá savanna?

MBR systems typically produce treated-water quality (BOD₅ < 5–10 mg/L, COD < 30–50 mg/L, TSS < 5 mg/L, turbidity < 0.2 NTU, total nitrogen < 10–15 mg/L) that aligns with common reuse expectations. Whether these values meet specific local discharge or reuse requirements is a regulatory question; confirm the exact limits and monitoring requirements with the local environmental authority before locking the specification.

Further Reading