Alternative wastewater systems

Abstract

The alternative wastewater systems have been developed not only to broaden the wastewater disposal technology but also to offer efficient alternatives to conventional sewers, septic tanks, sludge disposal, and water pollution problems. Economic tradeoffs are achieved using sewage grinders and small‐diameter pressure sewers which require increased energy but permit development in hilly or rocky terrain. Vacuum sewers offer water conservation but also continually depend on energy for operation. Passive water saving devices including waterless toilets reduce water consumption and promise wastewater and sludge treatment improvements. Recycle systems are in an early stage of development, some are dependent on an enormous amount of maintenance and operating costs whereas the less passive systems appear to have advantages. Soil systems for final liquid disposal vary from large land treatment systems to mounds. Controversy on soil systems appears to focus on problems such as the degree of pretreatment necessary, ...