Work

Effectiveness of vermifiltration systems in wastewater bioremediation: a sustainable and cost-effective approach

Year: 2025

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: In areas with limited access to conventional sanitation systems, as in rural areas, there is an imperative for sustainable alternatives for wastewater treatment. This study aims to demonstrate the efficiency of a domestic scale vermifilter system containing Eisenia foetida worms and coconut fibre as a substrate in reducing wastewater pollutants. The study evaluated 3 configurations: a filter without worms (control), a vermifilter with 15 cm of coconut fibre and another with 30 cm of coconut fibre. The last one was installed in a house in Baños district of Cuenca, Ecuador. The results showed that the vermifilter with 30 cm of coconut fiber showed the optimal efficiency, achieving removals of 55.8% for COD, 56.4% for BOD5, 39.97% for nitrates, 59.65% for ammoniacal nitrogen, and 48.06% for total nitrogen. Furthermore, the system exhibited a remarkable efficacy in eliminating pathogenic amoeba, achieving up to 70.42% removal, and coliforms, with a removal rate of 60%. However, an increase in parameters such as dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and phosphates was also observed. To achieve the required disinfection, tertiary treatments were evaluated: activated carbon filters, which achieved 62% removal of amoebas and 35% of coliforms, and a subsurface constructed wetland, which reached 100% elimination of amoebas and 40% of coliforms. These findings demonstrate that the thickness of the coconut fibre and the inclusion of worms directly influence the removal of contaminants and microorganisms. This positions the vermifilter as a promising solution for sanitation in rural areas. However, it is recommended to complement this system with disinfection or tertiary technologies to guarantee the quality of treated water

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17293186

Authors: Guanuchi Quito, Alexandra Elizabeth, Aguado, Daniel, Moreno, Yolanda

Institutions: University of Cuenca, Universitat Politècnica de València

Language: English

Topic: Wastewater Treatment and Reuse

Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7090460583

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