Multi-Soil-Layering Technology: New Solution for Sanitation Linking Hygiene to Food Security in Developing Countries

Abstract

The present study reports the application of multi-soil-layering (MSL) technology for domestic wastewater treatment and reuse. Raw wastewater was collected from height rural households and used to feed MSL system (height 65 cm, diameter 40 cm). The applied hydraulic loading rate (HLR) was 250 L m^-2day^-1. The obtained results revealed a higher Log removal of fecal bacteria indicators (total coliforms: 1.62 Log, fecal coliforms: 1.87 Log, E. coli: 1.75 Log, fecal streptococci: 1.58 Log and intestinal enterococci: 1.54 Log) and pathogens (Pseudomonassp.: 1.77 Log, Staphylococcussp.: 1.49 Log and Clostridiumsp.: 1.96 Log).Additionally, MSL technology permitted a high removal percentage of 90, 86, 86, 83 and 90 % respectively for TSS, BOD5, COD, TN and TP. Therefore, the application of MSL technology could be considered an efficient and promising domestic wastewater treatment solution in African and developing countries to promote environmental protection and wastewater reuse.