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3.3.2 Decentralized Wastewater System
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3.3.2 Decentralized Wastewater System

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A decentralized wastewater treatment system (DWTS) is also called as onsite wastewater treatment system, which is installed at or near a household or a cluster of homes to treat domestic sewage generated nearby rather than collecting and transporting wastewater to a centralized treatment plant (Figure 3.5).

 

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Figure 3.5 Schematic diagram of DWTS

 

Decentralized wastewater treatment systems are widely applied in rural areas where the public sewer system is not available or feasible, especially for areas with low population density and complex topography. It ranges from individual septic tanks to cluster systems that serve multiple properties, and to advanced treatment systems with high quality effluent. The disposal of effluent is close to the source of generation. It is critical that although wastewater treatment facilities are decentralized when applying DWTS, a centralized administration and management program shall be in place to ensure system sustainability.

 

Compared to centralized wastewater treatment systems, the decentralized wastewater treatment systems may provide a more cost-effective and efficient alternative for treating wastewater and protect public health.

 

  • Cost-effectiveness: application of DWTS not only avoids large upfront capital costs on large infrastructure and piping systems for wastewater collection, but also reduces the operation and maintenance costs applying small-scale facilities, relatively simple equipment, and energy-saving processes (passive treatment like soil dispersal).
  • The DWTS provides flexible and wide variety of wastewater management options to cope with specific topography and climate conditions.
  • Use of natural treatment properties of the soil: in some DWTS, soil acts as a natural filter and provides final treatment by removing harmful bacteria, viruses, and nutrients, and keeps them away from entering natural water bodies.

The DWTS can create more job opportunities in the local wastewater industry

 

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