Wastewater treatment in waste stabilization ponds for application in fertigation

Abstract Waste stabilization ponds are a well established wastewater treatment technology, being considered by World Health Organization as one of the most appropriate technology for domestic wastewater when agricultural reuse is considered, and in special for developing countries. This study was performed in a series of pilot-scale waste stabilization ponds, being one facultative a three maturation ponds, with depths varying from 0,44 to 0,57 m. Substrate consisted of misture domestic wastewater and leachate previously treated in UASB reator. The experimental system was monitored in two different phases, in which the hydraulic retention times were 15 (phase I) and 10 days (phase II). Termotolerant coliform removal efficiency was 99,98% in both phases, while organic matter (BOD5) removal were 87,0 and 67,7% for phase I and II, respectively.