The water purification technology using microorganisms developed by Ehime Industrial Technology Center is particularly unusual in that it uses microorganisms used in fermented foods, such as yeast, lactic acid bacteria, and fermented soybeans. This technology is very unique because it is a different approach from the microorganisms used in conventional wastewater treatment.

The water purification technology using microorganisms developed by Ehime Industrial Technology Center is particularly unusual in that it uses microorganisms used in fermented foods, such as yeast, lactic acid bacteria, and fermented soybeans. This technology is very unique because it is a different approach from the microorganisms used in conventional wastewater treatment.

Detailed technical description:
- Background and motivation for development: Ehime Prefecture faces the Seto Inland Sea, and the quality of wastewater is an important environmental issue. Since conventional technologies have yielded limited results, the Ehime Prefectural Industrial Technology Center began developing its own technology and created a new purification technology that takes advantage of the characteristics of microorganisms.

- Microorganisms used: This technology uses yeast, lactic acid bacteria, and bacillus natto, which are commonly used in fermented foods. These are microorganisms known for their fermentation processes in foods, but they have been discovered to be applicable to water purification as well. This is very unusual. Usually, microorganisms used in wastewater treatment are designed to break down specific pollutants, but Ehime's technology applies food microorganisms that are used on a daily basis.

- Examples of technology applications:.
- At the fish manure production facility of the Yawatahama Kamaboko Cooperative, the microorganisms were successfully used to significantly reduce the odor of compost. In addition, in wastewater treatment, it contributed to the reduction of sludge, and the electricity cost and chemical consumption required for treatment were reduced by 70 to 80%.
- The deodorizing effect has also been confirmed, showing a level of improvement that could not be achieved with conventional treatment. This also had the side effect of eliminating the fuel costs associated with deodorization equipment at the fish fertilizer production facility.

- Specificity of the technology:.
- Microorganisms: While conventional wastewater treatment utilizes specific microorganisms as typified by the activated sludge process, this technology is very unique in that it utilizes microorganisms commonly found in the environment, as well as fermentative microorganisms. By utilizing locally readily available microorganisms, a sustainable and low-cost system is created.
- Nature Friendly: The microorganisms used are already present in the environment, so the additional environmental impact is very low. In addition, these microorganisms are adapted to local environmental conditions, allowing for efficient water purification.

- Further Prospects: This technology has great potential for future applications and is expected to be expanded to other regions and industries as a community-based purification technology.