Onsite wastewater treatment for semi urban areas: Abasan case study

Abstract

Deterioration of the public health can be caused due to the discharge of untreated wastewater into the aquatic environment. Cesspits systems are the most common treatment units on household level in semi urban areas of Gaza Strip. The aims of this study are to evaluate the onsite wastewater treatment for semi urban areas in Gaza strip and Abasan area as a case study by monitoring the system for four months. During the monitoring program, samples and tests are for (BOD5, COD, TSS, TDS and FC). Treatment unit consists of four treatment stages that are septic tank followed by trickling filter and sedimentation tank. Sand filter after settling tank is used to remove TSS and FC. The system is designed to treat wastewater from 50 families and reuse it to irrigate farm land in this area. Results showed that the system works efficiently in terms of the removal of BOD5 is (86.1%), COD is (84%), TSS is (85.34%) and FC is (74.96%). The system has no effects on TDS. The results show quality suitable for restricted agricultural according to Palestinian Draft Standard (PDS) for water reuse. Previously, the households used to pay 50 NIS (17USD) per month to empty their cesspits. Now they pay 15NIS (4USD) per month for operating the system which encourage them and impacted the socio-economic situation positively.