Wastewater treatment and agricultural reuse system
Solution type: Wastewater treatment and agricultural reuse system
- Objectives: Reduce the water vulnerability of family farming and providing adequate sanitation to rural areas, with the continuity of agricultural production and improved income for farming families.
- Description: More than 100 fodder palm fields were planted in 9 states, associated with the SARA system (palm irrigated with wastewater treated by SARA) and production cisterns (palm irrigated with water from production cisterns), all using solar photovoltaic energy.
The treatment system operated on a single-family scale and consisted of a grease trap, an equalisation tank, a UASB reactor and polishing ponds. The treated effluent was sent to the reuse system, consisting of a tank, a motor pump and a localised irrigation system.
The technology was submitted for patenting by the National Institute of the Semi-Arid -INSA-, with a view to protecting it for dissemination in the Brazilian semi-arid region. It has also been recognised by the United Nations (UN), through the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), as a case of “Big Push for Sustainability”, as a technological alternative applicable to public policies that solve the problem of sanitation in diffuse areas, and also increase agricultural production and family income, contributing to improving environmental quality.
Results
This technology promotes a satisfactory reduction of organic matter levels, preserves the nutrients necessary for plant growth and reduces the concentration of pathogenic microorganisms. As a result, we have an effluent of satisfactory quality that can be used to irrigate fodder crops, timber, cereals and fruit trees.
Advantages
- A potential alternative to water vulnerability in the semi-arid region-
- Can be used for unrestricted use in agriculture, as long as the aerial part of the crops is far from ground level and the plants are supplied with water through a localised irrigation system.
- Addresses the needs of family farmers in terms of lack of sanitary sewerage and increasing the amount of water available on the property for agricultural purposes.
Sources:
- Mayer, et al, 2020. Tratamento de esgoto na zona rural visando ao reúso agrícola no semiárido brasileiro. DOI: https://doi.org/10.36659/dae.2021.023
- https://www.gov.br/insa/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/a-tecnologia-sara-frente-a-problematica-da-vulnerabilidade-hidrica-no-semiarido
- https://repositorio.cepal.org/items/89eb1376-1100-4cd4-b02d-224179a14963