Patent ID: 7582211

Claim:
A method for treating a liquid containing impurities, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing the liquid containing impurities into a reactor ( 7 ); b) providing a bacteria growth device ( 1 ) in the reactor ( 7 ) of step a), the bacteria growth device ( 1 ) comprising at least one strip ( 5 ) that is self supporting and bundled up so as to form a nest-like and loose configuration, the at least one strip presenting a surface for attachment and growth of bacteria, the nest-like and loose configuration being constructed and arranged so that the nest-like and loose configuration allows for the free circulation of the liquid through the attached growth bacteria, the at least one strip having an irregular form that substantially prevents the nest-like configuration from compacting, wherein the at least one strip is made of a non-toxic and non-biodegradable polymeric material; c) allowing the bacteria attached onto the surface area of the at least one unbound strip ( 5 ) of the device ( 1 ) to grow and eliminate impurities from the liquid present in the reactor ( 7 ); and d) evacuating the liquid removed of certain impurities from the reactor ( 7 ).