Microtox is considered the gold standard in acute toxicity testing delivering fast, reliable and repeatable results. 

This guide presents a practical method for implementing and maintaining a program that measures and controls transported waste discharge to a treatment plant based on Microtox toxicity data (ASTM D-5660; Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater 2009). By managing the discharge of transported waste, thus minimizing plant upsets and other operational problems, operating costs will be reduced.

This guide outlines a practical method for running inexpensive, non-mandated TREs in wastewater treatment plants. The studies produce information that can be used to hold toxicity levels below regulatory limits, avoiding expensive and disruptive mandated TREs.

This guide describes how Microtox is effectively used to screen and monitor the quality of treated effluents and establish a Compliance Probability Range. This will allow the management of plant operations and will achieve and maintain effluent quality and allow the plant to remain in compliance with discharge permit limits.

This guide described how Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) can use Microtox to control incoming toxicity by managing influent streams and setting local toxicity limits. The purpose of this program is to monitor and regulate the introduction of pollutants from non-domestic sources into POTWs to maintain smooth operations, minimize upsets, and maintain compliance.