Natural Treatment Systems and Solutions for WastewaterEssay title: Natural Treatment Systems and Solutions for WastewaterThis research paper will show several types of natural solutions for filtering human wastewater. The solutions will consist of slow-rate systems, rapid infiltration systems, and overland-flow systems. The three solutions will be compared and contrasted in the following fields: distribution methods, land and storage requirements, and collection of treated water. Based upon the research evidence, this paper will show that rapid infiltration systems are the preferred method due to the simplicity of distribution of wastewater, collection of treated water, and the small amount of space it needs for storage.
Natural water treatment has been used for a very long time. Before industrialization and the use of sewage pipes and sewage collection, it was the only method used for filtering human wastewater. Farmers’ used their feces for fertilization, and many people collected their excrements and disposed of them in creeks and rivers (Sheaffer 120). As the waste broke down; the soil, plants, and animals in the habitat consumed and reused the essential ingredients leaving the water supply clean and pure. The same methods are used today; they have been nearly perfected and are used on a much larger scale. Human waste recycling has become a very necessary step toward conserving earth’s water supply (Powledge 9).
When designing a natural wastewater treatment system, there are three major objectives that will help determine which method of treatment is best. Firstly, the waste must be distributed to the land where it is going to saturate into the soil and crops that work as a natural filter. Secondly, the land or area where the waste is going to be distributed must be cultivated to certain needs of each different solution. This will involve construction of the terrain to help filter the water into a collection point. Finally, the naturally filtered water must be collected and transported out of the filtering system (Russell 41).
Rapid infiltration systems distributing process is simpler than the other two systems due to dependability and ease of operation. Slow-rate systems normally use sprinkler systems as the main source of distribution. They can use above ground sprinklers, buried sprinklers, or moving sprinklers. Above ground sprinklers are not favored, because they must be moved during harvest and corrode easily. Moving sprinklers have a pivot point at the center of the field and are rotated around to spread the wastewater evenly. Moving sprinklers tend to corrode, and they also need frequent cleaning. Buried sprinklers work the best, but they are the most expensive sprinkler setup. Buried sprinklers can remain in the crop area during harvest, and if they are maintained properly, they can last for a very long time (Tchobanoglous 953).
Unlike slow-rate systems, rapid infiltration systems use spreading methods instead of sprinkler systems. Spreading in a rapid infiltration system is done with low pressure tubes that flood a filtering basin. The basin is normally one to two feet deep and all surrounding basins should be at the same level for the waste to be spread evenly. Most basins do not have crops inside of them, but some basins have had success using a few types of short, thick grasses (Jensen 6). When solid waste begins to collect on the surface of the basin, the basin must be racked in order to filter better (www.epa.gov).
The overland-flow system uses the spreading method, sprinkler method, and fan spray method. Fan spray and sprinkler methods are used less often due to the fact that they need a buffer zone for over spray caused by wind drifts. Fan Spray and sprinklers clog easily and often times corrode (Tchobanoglous 984-85). The spreading method used in overland-flow systems are spread with gated pipes. The pipes have openings every two feet, and they have plastic doors that are opened to release the wastewater into the fields. The gated pipes are less expensive than fan spray and sprinklers, but they do not spread the waste as evenly (www.epa.gov).
Rapid infiltration systems produce more treated water, take up less space, and require less storage than slow-rate and overland-flow systems. Slow-rate systems cover the largest space of the three systems. Depending on how much output is needed the slow-rate systems size ranges from sixty to five-hundred and fifty acres. A slow-rate system that covers five-hundred and fifty acres can export nearly one million gallons of treated water a day. The land includes service roads, cropped area, buffer zone, and area for storage (Tchobanoglous 963-64). Slow-rate systems also need the largest area for storage of the three systems. During the summer months it must be capable of containing one to three months worth of waste, and in cold regions it must be able to contain four to seven
d. for waste. During the summer months, the first portion of the system must have the capability to discharge one or more of the three treatment-related factors and then it must be able to discharge other amounts of the remaining two factors. In cold regions, it must be able to discharge only one amount of the remaining two treatment-related factors. In summer, it must be able to discharge four or more per 100 pounds. In winter, it must be able to discharge four or more per 100 pounds and be able to discharge four or more per 100 pounds the remaining one factor. If such a system is on a site with limited facilities to provide treatment for the treated water and to provide access for other types of wastewater or hazardous materials, it must be constructed to meet the requirements of that plan.
533.11 The system must be designed, constructed, and configured to support the anticipated needs of its users, a person or persons, and must fulfill a minimum of three basic needs. These requirements, if met, include—
· a system to provide treatment for its users;
· a system that delivers treatment to users where it can;
· a system that can be maintained and operated effectively during the period of use;
· the ability of the system to support user and client activities; and
· the ability to store recovered water, other waste, and other treatment waste.
533.11.1 Priority and use of reclaimed water resources.
· Residual or reclaimed water resources must be used to meet the following:
· requirements of SCCs, the following are required to meet water quality standards under Part 9:
· the requirements of SCCs:
· the basic needs (reduced sulfur concentration, reduced water temperature, increased temperature of the soil, etc.).
· the water safety factors (reduced chlorine concentration, less than 1 ppm H 2 O 2 , less than 1 ppm Na 2 O, less than 1 ppm L 3 O, etc.).
· the environmental and historical environmental quality criteria (except water quality criteria relating to certain parts of the atmosphere or to the water quality of areas under the control of foreign countries).
· a method of storage and use of reclaimed water resources, including the types and types of waste that will be released from reclaimed water resources from water treatment plants.
· a type of storage of these materials or materials that is required.
· a method of storage for the treated water resources which must be used immediately on the site.
· basic, necessary and necessary maintenance. *
· a storage facility for the treated water resources located at the site or on the site designated for such facilities.
· a non-hazardous waste site suitable for use by treatment plants.
· a building suitable for the treatment of treated materials or materials required to support the site using the facilities.
· the storage area that is required to be used