In early 1996, Spectrum Environmental of Pelham, Alabama contracted Phoenix Bio-Systems to design and provide a biological treatment system for BTEX contaminated groundwater. 

     The site in Panama City, Florida had formerly been a gasoline service station and is currently used by the Roger Clemmons company for the sales and servicing of used automobiles.  The site is primarily covered by asphalt with landscaped perimeters and has two operating buildings in place.  It is located in a busy section of Panama City at the intersection of East Avenue and State Highway 98, a few miles from the resort area at Panama City Beach. 

     Groundwater plumes of BTEX contamination, thought to be from the former service station facility, appear to be slowly migrating from the site.  It was deemed impractical to destroy the site for remediation, therefore it was decided at Spectrum Environmental's recommendation to utilize interceptor groundwater wells and Pump and Treat Technology.  Bio-remediation was chosen as a demonstration by the State of Florida for this site.

     Phoenix Bio-Systems provided an up-flow, externally aerated, biological activated carbon unit for treatment of the groundwater.  In addition to primary biological remediation capability, the Phoenix skid-mounted system also contained secondary suspended solids filtration and activated carbon polishing. 

     Over a three-month period of operation, the unit clearly demonstrated over ninety-eight percent consistent reduction of BTEX components in the main bio-reactor.  The unit treated a flow of 4,320 gallons per day.  The entire unit was built on a four by eight-foot skid.  Primary materials of construction were polyethylene and PVC.  The unit sat in a convenient corner of the used car lot and created no difficulty to normal operation of the Roger Clemmons business.