Simple tertiary treatment systems

There currently exists a wide range of systems for treating wastewater for reuse, with different levels of water quality and variable treatment costs. In view of this, it is appropriate to consider the most suitable alternatives in relation to the uses for which the treated water is intended. Accordingly, the research group ‘Microbiology and Environmental Techniques’ is studying various types of tertiary treatment with the aim of establishing which treatment is most suitable for specific uses. Results indicate that neither maturation lagoons nor macrofiltration systems should be employed as the only tertiary treatment before reuse. More exacting uses require more advanced technology, such as microfiltration and ultrafiltration, although it should be stressed that neither of these technologies is capable of eliminating dissolved substances. In this respect, reverse osmosis technology may provide a solution.