Development of a simple method for wastewater treatment in rural areas

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to improve the quality of theeffluents of a septic tank and if possible eliminate or minimize them throughevapotranspiration. To realize this a septic tank was constructed anddomestic wastewater was disposed into that. The effluent of the tank wasdischarged into special pots, full with soil and in which willows -treesknown with their high water consumption- were planted. The changes in thequality and quantity of the water used for it irrigation, as well as the changesin soil and foliage were investigated.Results obtained were compared with the results obtained from similarset of trees irrigated with water taken from the distribution system of thecity.The results obtained show that a considerable amount of wastewater isremoved by evapotranspiration, while the quality of the remaining part isimproved. Furthermore, irrigation with the effluent of the septic tank had apositive effect on the rate of growth of the trees.