International Journal of Waste Resources

Abstract

Performance Evaluation of Sand Filter and Ultraviolet Disinfection Prototype on Treated Wastewater in Rafah, Gaza Strip

Samir Alnahhal*, Khaldoun Abualhin and Mohammed Barhoum

The microbiological quality of wastewater is a key major issue in reclaimed water reuse in agricultural irrigation. This study evaluated the disinfection efficiency to improve the quality of Post-treatment Sand Filter Unit (PSFU) effluent for wastewater reuse by designing a Sand Filter Prototype (SFP) to increase the hydraulic retention time in the slow sand filter and by designing Ultraviolet (UV) prototypes. The study results showed that the highest disinfection efficiency of the UV prototypes was maintained for smaller effluent volumes. The SFP has also contributed to reducing the BOD5 concentrations and turbidity levels by about 49.28% and 71.08%, respectively. The BOD5 and turbidity concentrations were in line with the Palestinian Standards Institute (PSI) standard limits for irrigation reuse. The improvement in turbidity levels improved the penetration of UV light into the effluent and increased the UV disinfection efficiency. The UV disinfection decreased the Fecal Coliform (FC) concentrations were 525 FCU/100 ml and the effluent quality is suitable for reuse in agricultural irrigation based on the PSI standard.

Published Date: 2023-06-30; Received Date: 2023-04-24