Assessment of the performance of intermittent planted filters in treating urban wastewater under arid climate.

Intermittent planted filters are extensive biological purification techniques aimed at oxidizing and decontaminating urban wastewater at a low cost and with minimum environmental impacts. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the performances of intermittent planted filters in treating urban wastewater under arid conditions of southern Tunisia. The experimental study was carried out on a pilot scale plant comprising five constructed gravel-sand basins.

Removal of contaminants and pathogens from secondary effluents using intermittent sand filters.

Intermittent infiltration percolation of wastewater through unsaturated sand bed is an extensive treatment technique aimed at eliminating organic matter, oxidizing ammonium and removing pathogens. The main purpose of this study was to determine the depuration efficiencies of a sand filter to remove contaminants from secondary wastewater effluents. Elimination of pathogenic bacteria (total and faecal coliforms, streptococci) and their relationship with the filter depth were investigated.