ENGINEERING DESIGN, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PRACTICES FOR A FACULTATIVE WASTE STABILISATION POND: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

The activities of man over time have imparted greatly on the environment. These activities give rise to a wide range of wastes; in this context, both the quantity and quality of water are crucial elements. To this end the reuse of wastewater is adjudged as a veritable strategy in combating the problem. This is largely through the adoption of waste stabilisation ponds (WSPs). WSP concept basically entails the treatment of raw sewage entirely by natural process which involves both algae and bacteria primarily in large shallow basins (ponds). To do this, different designs and methods have been adopted over time, though not without appurtenant advantages and demerits or shortcomings. Against this backdrop, this paper attempts to review WSPs in general, that is in terms of design, types and performance evaluation framework for objectivity, emphasis shall be on facultative ponds (FPs).