This study was undertaken to examine the feasibilty of a low-cost aerobic system to treat greywater for reuse.Its purpose was to provide a system that would be easy to maintain, flexible and be affordable for households and small communities in developing countries. This thesis outlines and evaluates the key biological and chemical hazards associated with greywater reuse. It discusses the performance of a variety of wastewater treatment options in use. It presents details of the components of the greywater system,namely, an aerobic grease trap and slow sand filter. Reference is made to the evaporation and treatment bed and ultraviolet disinfection components, but these are not examined. The incorporation of vermitechnology in the preliminary stages of the system for reduction of organics in greywater is reviewed. This study takes the traditional approach to water quality assessment with the measurement of physical, chemical and biological indicators. Assessment of the system involved examining the input characteristics of the greywater, monitoring the vermiculture system and sampling the liquid discharge from the aerobic grease trap and slow sand filter for analysis of the quality indicators. The results obtained under the framework of this study have provided recommendations for further use of the aerobic grease trap and slow sand filter, while propsing an approach for an appropriate long-term monitoring program. / Master of Engineering (Hons)

Master of Science