Use of vermicomposting in domestic onsite sewage and biowaste management

Abstract

Modern lifestyle has increased the amount of solid and liquid waste that humans create. There are issues associated with pollution and disposal. The tried and tested methods of centralised treatment have proven impractical in the long run, given the spread of human population. Moreover, such techniques are unsuitable for the developing and under-developed world due to huge infrastructure costs and lack of technology issues. Adaptation of technologies from the developed world often does not provide the required solutions. This thesis describes an attempt at finding an ecologically and economically sustainable solution for waste management that is appropriate for poorer regions and remote areas. The proposed treatment system is close to natural processes and uses biological waste processing methods that have proven to be sustainable. Available resources and low cost give an edge for such processes to be practical and realistic. The system is based on vermicomposting. Composting worms survive in the harsh environments found in most parts of developing world. A working prototype of the vermicomposting waste management system was designed to utilise the technique of vermicomposting to treat putrescible fraction of domestic solid wastes along with pathogen-rich human excrement wastes (blackwater). Tests with organic solid wastes and liquid pig manure (as a replacement for blackwater) yielded excellent results in terms of reduction in pollutant loading such as suspended solids, turbidity, Biochemical and chemical oxygen demands, faecal coliform and ammonia content. Areas for further research and process optimisation were identified that would pave way for future endeavours towards development of a fully working model. The treatment system is shown to work and achieve the objectives of treating waste to usable products including worms for feed supplement, compost fertiliser and irrigation water.

Date of Award	2004
Original language	English