Vermifiltration: A Novel Sustainable and Innovative Technology for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Vermifiltration is a viable technology used to treat wastewater, which is formulated using earthworms by their potential to enhance the permeability of the soil and increase the rate of organic matter decomposition. It is an eco-friendly and low-cost technology for wastewater treatment affordable to the rural environment. Pollution originated from nonpoint sources causing negative impact on environment and human health. Many techniques deployed to treat wastewater by proving its efficiency in significant manner. But it is essential to find out the treatment method to low cost, easily affordable, available in around our premises, consume less energy and man power, and meet the standard of effluent discharge from the treatment unit. Wastewater treatment is performed by vermifiltration technique, an environmental-friendly approach to protect our mother earth through the sustainable and low-cost technology. Wastewater comprises many kinds of contaminants originated from various organic and inorganic sources. Pathogens and dissolved solids also reported in wastewater. Vermicast discharged by the earthworms provides proliferative microbial load and related enzyme activity to act upon the organic contaminants in the wastewater. In overview, vermifiltration technology is a prominent and feasible method to solve the problems raised due to the wastewater in terms of chemical contaminants and pathogenic organisms.