Waste stabilization ponds are a well established wastewater treatment system being considered by World Health Organization as one of the most appropriated technology for domestic wastewater when agricultural reuse is considered, especially in developing countries. This study was performed in a series of pilot-scale stabilization ponds, being one facultative and three maturation ponds, with depths varying from 0.44 to 0.57 m. The substrate to be treated was composed of a mixture of domestic wastewater and previously anaerobicaly treated leachate. The experimental system was monitored in two different phases, in which the hydraulic retention times were 15 (phase 1) and 10 days (phase 2). Termotolerant coliform removal efficiencies were 3.8 log10 units in both phases while organic matter (BOD5) removal was 87 and 68% for phases 1 and 2, respectively

This paper evaluates the performance of raw domestic sewage treatment by a single-stage vertical-flow constructed wetland (VFCW) installed in Northeastern Brazil, where sanitation coverage is low. Biological and physicochemical parameters were monitored for 1 year to evaluate the system's performance. The impact of factors such as operational cycle and filter media on VFCW pollutant removal efficiencies was investigated. The means of removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), and ammonia were 74.2, 87.9, and 82.1%, respectively. A statistically significant influence (p < 0.05) of substrate material on COD and ammonia removal efficiency was found. Ceramic construction waste media achieved the best performances compared with the traditionally used material and concrete construction waste. Operational cycles of 3.5/7 and 7/14 days of the feeding/resting period did not present a statistically significant influence (p < 0.05) on pollutant removal efficiencies. The single-stage VFCW pilot plant achieved a better global treatment performance than other VFCW reported in the literature; however, it showed a limitation in removing TS. The reduced installation costs, in addition to operation and maintenance simplicity, indicate a potential for single-stage VFCW applicability in the sewage treatment of housing units and small communities in Brazil and possibly in other developing countries in tropical areas.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a quantidade de resíduos da construção civil (RCC) em função da área construída da edificação, para efetuar acompanhamento e fiscalização mais eficazes da geração e destinação final em dada obra. Foi escolhida uma amostra representativa das edificações em fase de construção na cidade de João Pessoa. Uma ficha para coleta das características e acompanhamento de volume de RCC descartado ao longo do cronograma de execução da construção foi fornecida aos gestores das edificações; a partir do volume descartado pelas construtoras, determinou-se a massa de RCC gerado em cada obra utilizando uma massa unitária de 1.025 kg m-3 Os resultados indicaram uma taxa média de geração de RCC classe A de 86,27 kg m-². Ainda para os RCC classe A, foram definidos os limites inferior e superior com 90% de confiança para a taxa de geração: 62,31 e 136,02 kg m-² respectivamente. A partir desses valores, o controle da geração e disposição de RCC pode ser realizado pelos órgãos competentes, dando o indicativo de quais obras podem estar infringindo a legislação vigente no tocante à destinação de tais resíduos.

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is a useful tool for the treatment and use of sewage effluent because it complements conventional treatment, recovers the aquifer and minimizes risk of saltwater intrusion. This study aims to investigate technical data to determine the treatment of wastewater stabilization pond effluent using undisturbed soil columns collected from a coastal watershed study area within the BRAMAR (BRAzil Managed Aquifer Recharge) project. The treatment efficiency was monitored by measuring physico-chemical parameters (BOD ₅, COD, DOC, TSS, NH₃ and NO₃) in two columns filled with undisturbed sandy soil in which sewage effluent was infiltrated under unsaturated condition for 72 days with an average input flow of 10 mm h^-1. Results indicated reduction greater than 60% of organic matter, suspended solids and ammoniacal nitrogen. However, high concentrations of nitrate in the outflow were detected originating from nitrification of ammoniacal nitrogen. Moreover, difficulties in relation to soil clogging were observed. Furthermore, this study brought relevant contributions to understanding the influence of the infiltration rate and ability to treat effluent from wastewater stabilization ponds using undisturbed soil columns. Future research should be undertaken to improve the pretreatment methods and the operation of a MAR system in the study area.