Abstract
In this study, the efficiency of stone media fixed biofilm reactor (FBR) and sand column filter (SCF) was checked for domestic sewage treatment of university area. Sewage was continuously recirculated through FBR during different time intervals of 12, 24, 36, and 48 h followed by a SCF. There was reduction in odor, alkalinity, pH, turbidity, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, electrical conductivity, phosphates (PO4), sulfates
[GRAPHICS]
, nitrate
[GRAPHICS]
, nitrite
[GRAPHICS]
, and bacterial count, while dissolved oxygen concentration significantly increased after FBR and SFC treatments. Results revealed that the efficiency of FBR was improved by increasing the treatment time. The removal of BOD5, COD, and turbidity (89.67, 89.62, 99.84%), respectively, was achieved in FBR treatment. While 97.12, 97.15, and 100% reduction in BOD5, COD, and turbidity was attained in SCF treatment. Moreover, over 80% removal of coli forms and Enterococcus faecalis was maintained after FBR and SCF treatments. Our results suggested that combined application of FBR and SCF may serve as a promising approach for the treatment of sewage and has potential to be scaled up for large-scale application.