Assessment of waste stabilization ponds (WSP) efficiency on wastewater treatment for agriculture reuse and other activities a case of Dodoma municipality, Tanzania

Abstract

This study aims to assess the parameters removal efficiency of waste stabilization ponds of Swaswa area in Dodoma municipality. The study was done by analysing nine parameters in groups of biochemical and nutrients parameters. One year (2010) analysis was done in monthly intervals from January to December. Some of parameters were analysed in situ while the rest are taken to Dar es Salaam for laboratory analysis where by the water samples were taken in 4oC equipment for transportation. Results show very low removal efficiency for most of parameters from no removal at all to 26.7% (BOD5, pH, TDS, E.C, Total alkalinity, and Total hardness, NO3-N and PO4-P) from the influent to the final effluent. Only turbidity shows an excellent removal of 98.8%. The removal efficiencies were also compared to general removal efficiencies from other studies and find out results from this study are very low. This low removal efficiency may be due to  incomplete construction of Swaswa ponds where the third stage of  maturation is missing. This stage is essential for polishing water and nutrient as well as pathogen removal. There is need of frequent awareness campaign to a community for the reuse of wastewater for agriculture and its possible impacts. Ponds should be modified and addition of maturation ponds constructed. Further studies are required for pathogen removal  assessment and impacts of reuse wastewater to the food crops.

Key Words: waste stabilisation ponds, wastewater reuse, agriculture, removal efficiency, biochemical parameters, nutrients