This thesis explores the treatment of municipal wastewater using pilot-scale raceway ponds and looks specifically at the capability of the raceways in removing BOD and nitrogen. Nine 33 square-meter algal raceway ponds were used to conduct research at the San Luis Obispo Water Resources Recovery Facility. Main objectives of this study were to increase the removal of total ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N plus NH4+-N) from municipal wastewater through increased assimilation and nitrification. Raceway ponds with CO2 addition were operated in series with an intermediate settling step and a total hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4 days to measure the increase in nitrogen removal through assimilation by two rounds of algae growth. A single round of treatment with a 4 day HRT was also operated and compared to the two rounds. The two rounds of treatment and 1 round of treatment removed on average 36.6 mg-N/L and 35.2 mg-N/L of TAN, with respective standard deviations of 6.3 mg-N/L and 5.3 mg-N/L. No statistical significant difference was found between two treatment methods for TAN (mg-N/L) removal (t = -0.64, DF = 23.3, P =0.28), % TAN removal (t = -1.18, DF = 22.6, P = 0.25), and TAN (mg-N/L) of final effluent (t = 1.11, DF = 23.6, P = 0.28). Raceway ponds were aerated at night to keep nighttime DO from dropping to concentrations inhibitory to nitrification. The rates of nitrification with night aeration were measured. The nitrification rates were compared to a model based on Monod kinetics. The Monod model did not correspond with performance results of ponds.

There is a regulatory tension within wastewater treatment, between the requirement to meet tightening consents and the need to reduce the carbon footprint of treatment processes. With 75% of wastewater treatment works serving populations of less than 2,000, low-energy tertiary treatment options suitable to small rural works need to be developed. One option that lends itself particularly well to small works is land-based wastewater treatment (LBWWT). The aim of this research was to evaluate the role of LBWWT in the UK water industry and investigate the impact ridge-and-furrow enhanced microtopography (MT) may have upon a particular type of LBWWT - slow-rate (SR) infiltration. This was achieved through meeting three objectives. Firstly, the use of LBWWT was reviewed and assessed. Secondly, the impact of ridge-and-furrow enhanced MT upon the vegetation diversity and nutrient removal of a SR- LBWWT was established by means of a three year field trial. Finally, the cost- effectiveness of SR-LBWWT and the impact of ridging and furrow irrigation upon cost-effectiveness were evaluated using Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA). The first objective comprised of a review of the historical and current use of LBWWT, a review of the relevant changing legislation to identify what may be required of LBWWT and an assessment of LBWWT’s potential to meet these requirements. The result of the evaluation found that, based upon the literature, SR-LBWWT is ‘fit-for-purpose’ as tertiary treatment for small treatment works. To meet the second objective, a SR-LBWWT system trial was established at a small wastewater treatment works in Knowle, Hampshire. The trial consisted of three clay-loam grass plots irrigated with secondary treated effluent. There were two configurations of trial plot - flat and ridge-and-furrowed. Effluent (sub- surface soil water) nutrient concentrations were monitored as was vegetation diversity. In addition a number of physical, hydrological and biogeochemical parameters were monitored and hydrological modelling carried out. Mean nutrient removal performances of 90% for ammonia, 72% for nitrate, and 91% for phosphate were observed with the ridge-and-furrowed plot. Ridging and furrow irrigation was found to not have a significantly detrimental effect upon the trial plots’ removal performance for ammonia, nitrate or phosphate. Extrapolation modelling suggested, however, that this would not be the case for LBWWT systems on predominantly clay or sand soils. Ridging and furrow irrigation was found to have a statistically significant positive effect upon the vegetation diversity of the LBWWT trial plots; with mean final year Shannon-Wiener values of 0.96 and 0.69, for the ridge-and-furrowed and non-ridged plots, respectively. For the final objective, analysis found that SR-LBWWT are cost-effective when compared to horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetlands (HSSFCW), an established low-energy treatment option. Mean cost-effectiveness ratio values of £208.5 and £262.7 per % effectiveness were observed for LBWWT and HSSFCW, respectively. Following the field trial CEA was extended to include ridge-and-furrowed SR-LBWWT systems. This found that ridging and furrow irrigation improves the cost-effectiveness of SR-LBWWT serving small populations, reducing the mid cost-effectiveness ratio to £193 per % effectiveness. This is a result of the cost-reducing effect of ridge-and-furrowing over laser-level grading; and based upon the findings of the trial that ridging and furrow irrigation can be achieved (in clay-loam soil slow-rate systems) without significant detriment to the water treatment effectiveness of LBWWT. The main conclusions of this thesis are: that SR-LBWWT has a role to play in the UK water industry, as tertiary treatment for small wastewater treatment works. That SR-LBWWT is cost-effective in relation to HSSFCW. That ridging and furrow irrigation increases that cost-effectiveness by reducing the construction and operational costs. That ridging and furrow irrigation can be employed without significant detriment to a SR-LBWWT system’s water treatment performance. And finally, that ridging and furrow irrigation can have a positive impact upon the establishment vegetation diversity of a SR-LBWWT system.

Nos ambientes aquáticos tropicais, o crescimento das macrófitas aquáticas é favorecido pelas altas temperaturas e elevada intensidade de radiação solar. Nestas condições, tal crescimento pode subsidiar efetivamente a manutenção das cadeias tróficas e os fluxos de energia dos ambientes aquáticos naturais ou até mesmo construídos. Considerando que as alterações ao longo do tempo na diversidade das macrófitas aquáticas ocorrem pelas variações na biomassa e na abundância relativa das espécies, o presente trabalho limitou sua pesquisa a espécie Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. Deste modo, são apresentados dois artigos científicos desenvolvidos sobre o tema: um enfocando o ambiente natural e as relações alométricas foliares da espécie com sua biomassa e outro desenvolvido em ambiente construído (estação de tratamento de efluentes) onde foram introduzidos exemplares da espécie com o objetivo de avaliar a capacidade depuradora em um sistema aquático contendo cromo e sua reação ao elemento químico. A conexão dos dois artigos desenvolvidos está no fato de que o primeiro faz uma definição e avaliação detalhada da metodologia a ser utilizada (não destrutiva) e o segundo aplica o método, já devidamente aferido, em plantas desenvolvidas em ambiente construído e com acentuada concentração de contaminantes. Desta forma, o presente trabalho, além de estabelecer uma nova metodologia de determinação de biomassa vegetal com base em dados alométricos, utiliza o mesmo para definir a eficiência de Eichhornia crassipes no processo de depuração de efluentes da indústria de couro. / In tropical aquatic environments, the growth of the aquatic macrophytes is favored had to the high temperatures and the raised intensities of solar radiation. In these conditions, such growth can effectively subsidize the maintenance of the trophic chains and the flows of energy of natural aquatic environments or even though constructed. Considering that the alterations in the diversity of aquatic macrophytes throughout the time occur for the substitution and variations in the biomass and relative abundance of the species, the present work limited its research the species Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms and presents two developed scientific articles on the subject: one focusing the natural environment and the allometry leaf relations of the species with its biomass and developed other in constructed environment (station of treatment of effluent) where had been introduced exemplary of the specimen with the objective to evaluate the depurant capacity in aquatic system contends chromium and its reaction to the chemical element. The connect of two produced articles is in the fact of that the first one makes a definition and detailed evaluation of the methodology to be used (not destructive) and as it applies the method, already duly surveyed, in plants developed in environment constructed and with accented concentration of contaminantes. In such a way, the present work, beyond establishing a new methodology of determination of vegetal biomass on the basis of given allometric, uses the same to define the efficiency of Eichhornia crassipes in the process of purification of effluent of the leather industry.

Nos ambientes aquáticos tropicais, o crescimento das macrófitas aquáticas é favorecido pelas altas temperaturas e elevada intensidade de radiação solar. Nestas condições, tal crescimento pode subsidiar efetivamente a manutenção das cadeias tróficas e os fluxos de energia dos ambientes aquáticos naturais ou até mesmo construídos. Considerando que as alterações ao longo do tempo na diversidade das macrófitas aquáticas ocorrem pelas variações na biomassa e na abundância relativa das espécies, o presente trabalho limitou sua pesquisa a espécie Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. Deste modo, são apresentados dois artigos científicos desenvolvidos sobre o tema: um enfocando o ambiente natural e as relações alométricas foliares da espécie com sua biomassa e outro desenvolvido em ambiente construído (estação de tratamento de efluentes) onde foram introduzidos exemplares da espécie com o objetivo de avaliar a capacidade depuradora em um sistema aquático contendo cromo e sua reação ao elemento químico. A conexão dos dois artigos desenvolvidos está no fato de que o primeiro faz uma definição e avaliação detalhada da metodologia a ser utilizada (não destrutiva) e o segundo aplica o método, já devidamente aferido, em plantas desenvolvidas em ambiente construído e com acentuada concentração de contaminantes. Desta forma, o presente trabalho, além de estabelecer uma nova metodologia de determinação de biomassa vegetal com base em dados alométricos, utiliza o mesmo para definir a eficiência de Eichhornia crassipes no processo de depuração de efluentes da indústria de couro. / In tropical aquatic environments, the growth of the aquatic macrophytes is favored had to the high temperatures and the raised intensities of solar radiation. In these conditions, such growth can effectively subsidize the maintenance of the trophic chains and the flows of energy of natural aquatic environments or even though constructed. Considering that the alterations in the diversity of aquatic macrophytes throughout the time occur for the substitution and variations in the biomass and relative abundance of the species, the present work limited its research the species Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms and presents two developed scientific articles on the subject: one focusing the natural environment and the allometry leaf relations of the species with its biomass and developed other in constructed environment (station of treatment of effluent) where had been introduced exemplary of the specimen with the objective to evaluate the depurant capacity in aquatic system contends chromium and its reaction to the chemical element. The connect of two produced articles is in the fact of that the first one makes a definition and detailed evaluation of the methodology to be used (not destructive) and as it applies the method, already duly surveyed, in plants developed in environment constructed and with accented concentration of contaminantes. In such a way, the present work, beyond establishing a new methodology of determination of vegetal biomass on the basis of given allometric, uses the same to define the efficiency of Eichhornia crassipes in the process of purification of effluent of the leather industry.

Nos ambientes aquáticos tropicais, o crescimento das macrófitas aquáticas é favorecido pelas altas temperaturas e elevada intensidade de radiação solar. Nestas condições, tal crescimento pode subsidiar efetivamente a manutenção das cadeias tróficas e os fluxos de energia dos ambientes aquáticos naturais ou até mesmo construídos. Considerando que as alterações ao longo do tempo na diversidade das macrófitas aquáticas ocorrem pelas variações na biomassa e na abundância relativa das espécies, o presente trabalho limitou sua pesquisa a espécie Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms. Deste modo, são apresentados dois artigos científicos desenvolvidos sobre o tema: um enfocando o ambiente natural e as relações alométricas foliares da espécie com sua biomassa e outro desenvolvido em ambiente construído (estação de tratamento de efluentes) onde foram introduzidos exemplares da espécie com o objetivo de avaliar a capacidade depuradora em um sistema aquático contendo cromo e sua reação ao elemento químico. A conexão dos dois artigos desenvolvidos está no fato de que o primeiro faz uma definição e avaliação detalhada da metodologia a ser utilizada (não destrutiva) e o segundo aplica o método, já devidamente aferido, em plantas desenvolvidas em ambiente construído e com acentuada concentração de contaminantes. Desta forma, o presente trabalho, além de estabelecer uma nova metodologia de determinação de biomassa vegetal com base em dados alométricos, utiliza o mesmo para definir a eficiência de Eichhornia crassipes no processo de depuração de efluentes da indústria de couro. / In tropical aquatic environments, the growth of the aquatic macrophytes is favored had to the high temperatures and the raised intensities of solar radiation. In these conditions, such growth can effectively subsidize the maintenance of the trophic chains and the flows of energy of natural aquatic environments or even though constructed. Considering that the alterations in the diversity of aquatic macrophytes throughout the time occur for the substitution and variations in the biomass and relative abundance of the species, the present work limited its research the species Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms and presents two developed scientific articles on the subject: one focusing the natural environment and the allometry leaf relations of the species with its biomass and developed other in constructed environment (station of treatment of effluent) where had been introduced exemplary of the specimen with the objective to evaluate the depurant capacity in aquatic system contends chromium and its reaction to the chemical element. The connect of two produced articles is in the fact of that the first one makes a definition and detailed evaluation of the methodology to be used (not destructive) and as it applies the method, already duly surveyed, in plants developed in environment constructed and with accented concentration of contaminantes. In such a way, the present work, beyond establishing a new methodology of determination of vegetal biomass on the basis of given allometric, uses the same to define the efficiency of Eichhornia crassipes in the process of purification of effluent of the leather industry.

Ce travail est consacré à l’étude d’un procédé d’oxydation avancée (POA) basé sur la génération de radicaux sulfates (SO4•-) pour l’élimination de substances pharmaceutiques dans le cadre du traitement d’effluents urbains. Quatre substances pharmaceutiques azotées (carbamazépine, diclofénac, sulfaméthoxazole et ciprofloxacine) appartenant à des familles thérapeutiques différentes ont été choisies en tant que contaminants modèles. L’évaluation de la performance cinétique des procédés basés sur la génération de HO• (H2O2/Fe(II) et UV-C/H2O2) et de SO4•- (HSO5-/Co2+, UV-C/S2O82- et UV-C/HSO5-) a été conduite dans des effluents de stations d'épuration traités biologiquement. La comparaison des procédés non photochimiques et photochimiques a été conduite dans les mêmes conditions optimales et montre que les procédés générant des SO4•- sont moins inhibés par la matrice environnementale que les procédés produisant HO•. La réaction de transfert électronique est mise en évidence par l’identification de produits de transformation des contaminants d’étude par chromatographie liquide couplée à un spectromètre de masse à haute résolution. Le début d’oxydation démarre par un transfert d’un électron sur les groupements azotés générant ainsi un radical cation qui réagit avec l’eau ou l’O2. La dégradation du sulfaméthoxazole est le cas le plus évident grâce à sa fonction amine primaire (aniline) qui se transforme en fonction nitro. On peut par conséquent envisager des nouvelles stratégies de traitement des eaux usées urbaines par la génération de SO4•-. / This work is devoted to the study of an alternative advanced oxidation process (AOP) generating sulfate radical (SO4•-) for the removal of pharmaceuticals in municipal wastewater effluents. Four nitrogen containing pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, diclofenac, sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin) belonging to different therapeutic classes were chosen as model contaminants. The evaluation of the kinetic performance of processes based on the generation of HO• (H2O2/Fe(II) and UV-C/H2O2 ) and SO4•- (HSO5-/Co2+, UV-C/S2O82- and UV-C/HSO5- ) was conducted in biologically treated effluent. Comparison of photochemical and non- photochemical processes performed under the same optimal conditions showed that the processes generating SO4•- are less inhibited by the environmental matrix than processes producing HO•. This electron transfer reaction is demonstrated by the identification of transformation products using liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometer. Oxidation of parent compounds starts by an electron transfer reaction on the nitrogen groups thereby generating a cation radical which further reacts with water or O2. The sulfamethoxazole degradation pathway gives more insights into this mechanism due to the primary amine moiety (aniline) which is converted into nitro function. This treatment system can be regarded as a new strategy for the treatment of urban wastewater contaminated by pharmaceutical residues through the generation of SO4•-.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:32:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5046.pdf: 1658349 bytes, checksum: a29e678386c15bfb307df8abcd53cc26 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-23 / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / Effluents from sewage treatment plants usually have high concentration of inorganic nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), which can be used for algal growth. Due to this possibility, the use of such wastewater can become a strategy for reducing the cost of microalgae production and/or reduction of costs in sewage treatment plants. This would result in the reduction of coliform bacteria and nutrients thereby improving the quality of effluent to be discharged. This research aimed to monitor the native community of microalgae and coliform bacteria from wastewater produced from anaerobic treatment of municipal sewage. Two bioassays were performed, an aerated and a non-aerated. Five liters samples of the wastewater were incubated in a greenhouse with semi-controlled environment using batch mode. The results showed no significant variation in pH for any of the bioassays. A reduction of 99.9% of colony forming units (CFU/mL) of both total coliforms and Escherichia coli was obtained after short period incubation. The concentrations of nutrients (N and P) decreased in the aerated bioassay, but not in the non aerated one. The growth curve of microalgae community presented an initial adjustment/adaptation phase only in the aerated bioassay, whereas in the nonaerated, microalgae growth was exponential since the beginning of incubation. The microalgae Chlorophyceae Chlorella vulgaris was dominant in the phytoplankton community in both bioassays coming to 99% of the total biomass. In the aerated bioassay, 12 taxa distributed into five classes were present (Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae), whereas in the non-aerated, only three classes were identified (Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae), with 6 taxa. We conclude that the anaerobic sewage effluent supported algal growth, mainly the Chlorophyceae Chlorella vulgaris and improved the anaerobic sewage treatment wastewater quality, reducing their potential for eutrophication. We also conclude that effluent aeration is most useful when the objective is the production of microalgae and nutrients reduction. / Os efluentes de estações de tratamento de esgoto apresentam elevada concentração de nutrientes inorgânicos, como nitrogênio (N) e fósforo (P), que podem ser usados para o crescimento algal. Dada à essa possibilidade, o uso desse resíduo pode tornar-se uma estratégia para a redução dos custos de produção de microalgas e/ou abatimento de gastos em estações de tratamento de esgoto. Isso teria como consequência a redução dos nutrientes e de bactérias coliformes no efluente, melhorando assim sua qualidade antes do descarte final. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo principal monitorar a comunidade de microalgas nativas e bactérias coliformes em efluente resultante de tratamento anaeróbio de esgoto municipal. Foram realizados 2 bioensaios, um aerado e outro não aerado em amostras de 5 L incubadas em casa de vegetação com ambiente semicontrolado. Os resultados mostraram que não houve variação significativa do pH para qualquer um dos bioensaios. Detectou-se redução de 99,9% de unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC/mL) tanto de coliformes totais, quanto Escherichia coli. O bioensaio aerado apresentou redução nas concentrações de nutrientes (N e P). A curva de crescimento da comunidade de microalgas apresentou uma fase de adaptação inicial apenas no bioensaio aerado, enquanto que no não aerado, o crescimento foi exponencial desde o início da incubação. Chlorella vulgaris foi a microalga dominante na comunidade fitoplanctônica em qualquer um dos bioensaios (99% do total). No bioensaio aerado, 12 táxons distribuídos em 5 classes algais estiveram presentes (Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Chrysophyceae, Euglenophyceae e Bacillariophyceae), enquanto que no não aerado, apenas 3 classes foram identificadas (Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae e Euglenophyceae), com 6 táxons. Dos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que o efluente de esgoto anaeróbio suportou o crescimento algal, principalmente da Chlorophyceae Chlorella vulgaris, que melhorou a qualidade do efluente, reduzindo seu potencial de eutrofização. Conclui-se ainda que a aeração do efluente é indicada quando se objetiva, além da produção de microalgas, a redução de nutrientes.

This diploma thesis deals with the wastewater treatment technologies by means of which high quality of the treated wastewater is attained, especially with regard to removing nutrients. The introduction of the thesis contains, among others, descriptions of the reserves in the Czech Republic where it is extremely important to insist on the highest quality of the discharged wastewaters. Then follows a summary of the quality requirements on the discharged wastewaters as stipulated in the legislation. Furthermore, I analyse the impact of the nutrients – nitrogen and phosphorus – on the environment and the principles of their removal from the wastewaters. In the next section I concentrate on the technological processes by means of which the required quality of the wastewater is achieved. The conclusion includes a list of technologies used as the tertiary wastewater treatments with emphasis on membrane technologies. The second part of my thesis is a study of a project of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with membrane technology for the villages of Sloup and Šošůvka located within the protected landscape area of Moravian Karst.

[pt] Este trabalho investiga a eficiência do Processo Oxidativo Avançado eletro-Fenton (EF) no tratamento de efluentes da indústria de celulose e papel previamente tratados por processo biológico. Utilizou-se planejamento fatorial em três variáveis e dois níveis, variando-se pH inicial (4 e 6), dosagem de H2O2:COD (1:1 e 2:1mol/mol) e densidade de corrente (j) (4 e 10mA/cm2). Experimentos foram realizados em reator de 1L com eletrodos de aço SAE1010, em regime de batelada, com tempo de reação de 60min. Avaliou-se também o processo Fenton convencional e realizou-se ensaios de controle com oxidação por H2O2, Eletrocoagulação e Fenton Zero, em 20min. Quanto ao EF, observou-se que um tempo de 40min foi suficiente para estabilização da remoção de cor e compostos lignínicos e 20min para remoção de carbono orgânico dissolvido (COD) nos processos com maior j e 40min, naqueles com menor j. A melhor configuração do EF foi com pH inicial 4, relação H2O2:COD 1:1mol/mol e menor j (4mA/cm2), alcançando-se remoção de 82 porcento de COD, 99 porcento de compostos lignínicos e 99 porcento de cor verdadeira, com consumo energético de 1.0 kWh/m3. Comparando-se os processos avaliados, todos no ponto central do plano fatorial, observou-se maior eficiência do EF na remoção de cor e compostos lignínicos e menor eficiência na remoção de COD, em relação ao processo Fenton convencional, contudo, com maior eficiência em sua melhor condição operacional. Conclui-se que o EF se mostra eficiente no polimento deste efluente para remoção da matéria orgânica e cor verdadeira remanescentes do processo biológico e que o parâmetro de maior influência neste processo é a densidade de corrente. / [en] This study investigates the efficiency of the Advanced Oxidation Process electro-Fenton (EF) in the wastewater treatment from pulp and paper industry, previously treated biologically. A factorial design of three factors and two levels was used, varying initial pH (4 and 6), H2O2:COD ratio (1:1 and 2:1mole/mole) and current density (j) (4 and 10mA/cm2). Experiments were made in a 1L reactor in batch mode with SAE 1010 steel electrodes, in 60min reaction time. The conventional Fenton process was also evaluated and control tests were carried out with direct oxidation by H2O2, Electrocoagulation and Zero-valent Fenton, with 20min. As for the EF process, it was observed that a 40min reaction time was enough to stabilize the colour and removal of the lignin compounds, and 20 minutes to remove dissolved organic carbon (COD) in the processes with higher j and 40min, in those with lower j. The best configuration for the EF process was initial pH 4, H2O2:COD ratio 1:1mole/mole and lower j (4mA/cm2), leading to 82 percent COD, 99 percent lignin compounds and 99 percent colour removal, with energy consumption of 1.0kWh/m3. Comparing the evaluated processes, all at the central point of the factorial design matrix, it was observed greater efficiency of the EF in the colour and lignin compounds removal and lower efficiency in COD removal in relation to the conventional Fenton, nevertheless, with greater efficiency in its best overall condition. It was concluded that the EF-process is efficient as a polishing step of this wastewater treatment to remove the remaining organic compounds and true color from the biological process and that the parameter of greatest influence in the EF-process is the current density.

From the Proceedings of the 1971 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 22-23, 1971, Tempe, Arizona / Sewage effluent is commonly used for the irrigation of crops that are not consumed raw. Due to continued population growth in the Salt River Valley, Arizona, economic reuse of municipal waste waters is becoming essential. The salt river bed has about 3 ft of fine loamy sand underlain by sand and gravel layers to great depth and a groundwater table at about 10 ft depth. These conditions are very favorable for high-rate waste water reclamation by groundwater recharge. The activated sludge plant in phoenix will probably be discharging 250 mgd by the year 2000. At 4.5 ft average annual water use, this could irrigate about 70,000 acres, possibly more than agriculture will need at that time. A sewage effluent renovation pilot project was located about 1.5 miles from the plant. It contains 6 parallel recharge basins 20 to 700 ft each, spaced 20 ft apart. The basins were covered by grass, gravel or were left bare. Observation wells were installed at various locations in the area. Results indicated that infiltration rates were fastest in the grassy basins. Phosphate, nitrogen and median fecal coliform levels were all lower after this form of tertiary treatment. Practical details of the application of this water reclamation method in the Salt River Valley are outlined. Costs would be 5 dollars/af, less than 1/10 the equivalent costs of in-plant tertiary treatments.