Patent ID: 8323496

Claim:
A method for reducing the concentration of perchlorate in water, comprising: a. contacting water with biomass capable of degrading perchlorate in a reactor; b. adding electron donor or nutrients to the water in the reactor in an amount effective to facilitate the degradation of perchlorate in the water by the biomass; c. determining the concentration of perchlorate or nitrogen in the treated water; and, d. disabling the flow of water through the reactor if the concentration of perchlorate is at or higher than a minimum control limit for perchlorate but lower than a maximum control limit for perchlorate, or if the concentration of nitrogen is at or higher than a minimum control limit for nitrogen but lower than a maximum control limit for nitrogen; and, e. enabling the flow of water through the reactor if the concentration of perchlorate is lower than the minimum control limit for perchlorate or if the concentration of nitrogen is lower than the minimum control limit for nitrogen.