Dairy wastewater treatment option for rural settlments by Vermi-Biofiltration

Abstract

The treatment of dairy wastewater using traditional wastewater treatment plants such as the activated sludge is not feasible as it will require high energy rate to provide the required oxygen. This paper presents experimental results of using Vermi Bio-filtration to treat wastewater from dairy industry. Samples of wastewater were collected from Prasanthi Farms located in a small village of Kollam district, India. The sample characteristics of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Oil & Grease and Dissolved Oxygen were measured before and after vermi bio-filtration treatment. The characteristics were measured at different time intervals of 12 hours (12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hours). The percentage changes of the above parameters after 60 hours are-18, 79, 75, 67, 69 and-31% respectively. the method is inexpensive, it can capture all organic materials, capital and working expenses are low, there is no foul scent, worm biomass would be used as nourishment for the cows, fish agro-business.