Overall performance evaluation of shallow maturation ponds in series treating UASB reactor effluent: Ten years of intensive monitoring of a system in Brazil

Abstract

Maturation (polishing) ponds operating after UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) reactors are considered a highly suitable system for treating domestic sewage for small to medium communities in warm-climate developing countries. Important attributes are operational simplicity, good organic matter and nitrogen removal, excellent pathogen removal and lower land requirements compared to traditional pond systems. However, most papers in the literature focus on single studies investigating one particular aspect of this system. The objective of the current paper is to present a broad evaluation of one particular system (UASB reactor, three shallow ponds and a coarse rock filter in series) in Brazil treating sewage from 250 inhabitants over a period of 10 years. The study covers in an integrated manner the removal and behaviour of several variables, such as organic matter (BOD and COD), solids, nitrogen fractions, phosphorus, coliforms, pathogenic bacteria, helminth eggs, sulphides, surfactants and organic micropollutants (diethylphthalate, bis(2ethylhexyl)phthalate and bisphenol A). Even with short hydraulic retention times in each pond (2 to 6 days), the results endorse the good capacity for organic matter and ammonia removal and excellent removal of coliforms, helminth eggs and sulphides. Removal of phosphorus, surfactants and selected micropollutants was limited.