Application of Phyto-Technology for Reducing BOD5 and TSS in Septage Treatment: Laboratory Trials from Nigeria

ABSTRACT The diversity of aquatic plants having varied and unique phytoremediation potentials plays a vital role in the treatment of different types of wastewater. Several developing countries including Nigeria still employ the use of septic tanks and soakaway- pit for handling wastewater containing faecal matter. These practices of handling wastewater generate high septage. Septage are evacuated wastewater which is highly organic. To treat wastewater rich in BOD5 and TSS, requiring appropriate treatment before discharge into the receiving bodies. Application of Phyto-technology for reduction of septage BOD5 and TSS using macrophytes such as Typha latifolia, Phragmites australis and using them under poly-culture in varied water to septage dilution was compared. Maximum removal efficiency of BOD5 and TSS revealed Phragmites, Typha-Phragmites Poly-culture and Typha alone to be efficient in this order. Phragmites showed 98% and 97% of BOD5 and TSS removal. In the undiluted wastewater, the aquatic plant grew only at 80% efficiency. Effective septage management is achievable on a relatively low-cost, environmentally friendly and requiring low maintenance using locally available aquatic plants.