Vermifiltration as a viable and sustainable wastewater treatment process: A Novel Biofilter Technology

One of the most promising approaches to address the worldwide water crisis is wastewater treatment and utilization. Vermifiltration is a novel wastewater treatment method that involves using composting earthworms to remediate contaminated water. It is considered as an innovative technology that offers a long-term strategy for wastewater treatment with simultaneous sludge reduction and remediation. The treatment capacity parameters by vermifilter of wastewater has a strong association with earthworm activity. It's a biofilter in which the earthworms breakdown the suspended particles trapped on the filter bed, decompose organic matter via enzymatic activity, and aerate the system through burrowing action while removing pathogens. The present review focuses on vermifiltration and the mechanisms underlying it, as well as the current situation of the technology for the treatment and reutilization of pollutants produced in domestic and industrial fields.