The purpose of this work is to analyze the parasitological risks of treated wastewater reuse from a stabilization pond in the city of Piracicaba, in the State of São Paulo (Brazil), and the level of treatment required to protect public health. Samples were taken from raw and treated wastewater in stabilization ponds and submitted to a parasitological, microbiological and physicochemical analysis. The study revealed on treated wastewater the presence of Ascaris sp. and Entamoeba coli with an average density of 1 cysts L−1 and 6 eggs L−1, respectively. For Ascaris, the annual risks of infection due to the accidental ingestion of wastewater irrigation were 7.5 × 10−2 in 208 days and 8.7 × 10−2 in 240 days. For Total Coliforms and Escherichia coli in treated wastewater, the average density was 1.0 × 105 MPN/100 ml and 2.7 × 104 MPN/100 ml respectively, representing 99% and 94% removal efficiency, respectively. For BOD, COD, TS and TSS removal efficiency was 69, 80, 50 and 71%, respectively. The removal efficiency for nitrogen; ammonia nitrogen and total phosphate was 24, 19 and 68%, respectively. The average density of helminths eggs in treated wastewater is higher compared to the density of the limit value of ≤1 egg L−1 and tolerable risk is above the level recommended by the World Health Organization. Multiple barriers are necessary for the reduction of organic matter, chemical contaminants and parasites from treated wastewater. Standards for the sanitary control of treated wastewater to be reused in agricultural irrigation areas should be compiled for developing countries in order to minimize public health risks.
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April 01 2012
Parasitological risk assessment from wastewater reuse for disposal in soil in developing countries Available to Purchase
Silvana A. Cutolo;
1Av. Prof. Almeida Prado 271, Departamento de Engenharia Hidráulica e Sanitária/Escola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo, Butantã, São Paulo (SP), CEP: 05508-900, Brazil
2Av. Dr. Arnaldo 715, Departamento de Saúde Ambiental/Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo (SP), CEP: 01246-904, Brazil
E-mail: [email protected]
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Roque P. Piveli;
Roque P. Piveli
1Av. Prof. Almeida Prado 271, Departamento de Engenharia Hidráulica e Sanitária/Escola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo, Butantã, São Paulo (SP), CEP: 05508-900, Brazil
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Jéferson G. Santos;
Jéferson G. Santos
2Av. Dr. Arnaldo 715, Departamento de Saúde Ambiental/Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo São Paulo (SP), CEP: 01246-904, Brazil
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Célia R. Montes;
Célia R. Montes
3Laboratório de Ecologia Isotópica, Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), 13400-970 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
4Núcleo de Pesquisa em Geoquímica e Geofísica da Litosfera (Nupegel), Esalq/ Universidade de São Paulo (USP), P.O. Box 09, 13418-900 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
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Gilberto Sundefeld;
Gilberto Sundefeld
1Av. Prof. Almeida Prado 271, Departamento de Engenharia Hidráulica e Sanitária/Escola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo, Butantã, São Paulo (SP), CEP: 05508-900, Brazil
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Fábio Campos;
Fábio Campos
1Av. Prof. Almeida Prado 271, Departamento de Engenharia Hidráulica e Sanitária/Escola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo, Butantã, São Paulo (SP), CEP: 05508-900, Brazil
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Tamara M. Gomes;
Tamara M. Gomes
4Núcleo de Pesquisa em Geoquímica e Geofísica da Litosfera (Nupegel), Esalq/ Universidade de São Paulo (USP), P.O. Box 09, 13418-900 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
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Adolpho J. Melfi
Adolpho J. Melfi
4Núcleo de Pesquisa em Geoquímica e Geofísica da Litosfera (Nupegel), Esalq/ Universidade de São Paulo (USP), P.O. Box 09, 13418-900 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
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Water Sci Technol (2012) 65 (8): 1357–1367.
Article history
Received:
July 04 2011
Accepted:
November 22 2011
Citation
Silvana A. Cutolo, Roque P. Piveli, Jéferson G. Santos, Célia R. Montes, Gilberto Sundefeld, Fábio Campos, Tamara M. Gomes, Adolpho J. Melfi; Parasitological risk assessment from wastewater reuse for disposal in soil in developing countries. Water Sci Technol 1 April 2012; 65 (8): 1357–1367. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2012.012
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