In subsurface engineering and environmental surveying, achieving clear water in boreholes is essential. Whether used for optical camera inspections, hydrogeological studies, or infrastructure placement, poor water clarity leads to reduced visibility, compromised data accuracy, and increased risk during operation.
Boreholes often suffer from fine silt, organic debris, and mineral particulate contamination. These materials are difficult to remove by flushing alone, necessitating the use of a specialist flocculant to bind particles and facilitate sedimentation. However, not all flocculants are suitable for environmentally sensitive settings.
Historical Challenges in Flocculation Chemistry
Many traditional flocculants—especially organic polymer-based or so-called biodegradable products—have raised several environmental and operational concerns:
- Inconsistent biodegradability: Some compounds degrade slowly or unpredictably, persisting in ecosystems.
- Ecotoxicity risks: Low concentrations may still affect aquatic life, pH, or microbial balance.
- Regulatory resistance: Incomplete safety data, misleading hazard labelling, and unclear degradation paths often lead to delays in product approval.
- Unreliable sedimentation: Poor floc formation may cause re-suspension of solids under even minimal disturbance.
These issues have left many engineers and regulators with a difficult choice: prioritise performance at the expense of the environment, or delay projects while waiting for a suitable alternative.
SCIFLOC™: A Data-Driven, Eco-Conscious Breakthrough
Developed by Scientific Sanitation Solutions, SCIFLOC™ is an advanced flocculant engineered specifically to overcome these limitations. It provides high-performance sedimentation, a well-documented safety profile, and is formulated to support environmental compliance.
Core Chemical Components
| Compound | Function |
| Aluminium chloride | Binds negatively charged suspended solids |
| Ferric sulphate | Enhances pH stability and floc formation |
| Magnesium sulphate | Improves solubility and moisture control |
| Aluminium oxide | Strengthens sedimentation of flocs |
| Aluminium hydroxide | Contributes to particle binding and floc strength |
These compounds are compliant under EU CLP Regulation (EC 1272/2008).
Field Application Protocol
SCIFLOC™ is typically applied at a dosage of 0.045 g per litre of water in borehole treatment—equivalent to just 45 mg per litre. At this concentration, the product is:
- Non-toxic to aquatic life, based on LC50 toxicity data.
- Approved for use in drinking water and fish pond applications.
- Proven safe in over eight years of continuous field use, with no recorded health or ecological incidents.
Application Steps
- Dissolve SCIFLOC™ into the borehole flush water, stirring constantly.
- Circulate the solution throughout the borehole to bind suspended solids.
- Allow gravitational sedimentation of flocs to the borehole bottom.
- Remove sediment via vacuum, pump, or suitable filtration system.
- Inspect water clarity for survey or reuse; discharge if permitted.
Environmental Biodegradability & Compliance
One of SCIFLOC™’s strongest advantages lies in its rapid and predictable environmental degradation:
| Substance Type | Time to Decompose |
| Chlorine compounds | Fully degrade within 7 days |
| Aluminium/Ferric compounds | Degrade within 90 days, revert to inert sediment |
| Bioaccumulation risk | None – does not persist in ecosystems |
| Effluent classification | Unchanged – does not alter organic/inorganic classification |
Importantly, the sediment produced consists of naturally occurring matter (e.g., sand, silt, plant debris), ensuring no introduction of foreign pollutants into the borehole environment.
Operational and Regulatory Advantages
SCIFLOC™ delivers a series of operational and compliance-focused benefits, positioning it as a highly practical choice for environmentally conscious borehole projects:
- Proven safety at ultra-low concentrations (0.045 g/L)
- Stable sedimentation that resists re-suspension
- Effective across a wide pH range (3 to 10)
- Non-bioaccumulative and environmentally degradable
- Powdered format enhances storage, transport, and application efficiency
- Backed by extensive technical data for confident regulatory submission
SCIFLOC™ has already passed scrutiny under real-world environmental review processes and has been authorised for use in both site discharge and subsurface treatment applications.
SCIFLOC™ provides a rare and powerful combination of scientific precision, environmental responsibility, and operational efficiency. Where older flocculants have either damaged ecosystems or faced regulatory rejection, SCIFLOC™ delivers a balanced, high-performance alternative that meets the needs of engineers and regulators alike.
In summary, SCIFLOC™ is:
- Effective – even at extremely low doses.
- Safe – for both human and ecological health.
- Trustworthy – backed by data, proven in the field, and recognised by authorities.
For professionals engaged in subsurface engineering, water management, or environmental remediation, SCIFLOC™ is not just a product—it is an essential tool for sustainable water treatment in the 21st century.
