Sustainable management of recycled wastewater – A case study

Waste water reuse is considered as a best solution to climate change adaptation, lack of water service and sanitation in rural areas in particular. The proposed method was the implementation of a real case which describes the benefits of application of treated waste water in Guru Nanak Institution of Technology, Hyderabad for ground water recharge and miscellaneous purposes. The waste water was analyzed for physical and chemical parameters before and after treatment and were compared with WHO, Indian standards and FAO irrigation standards. DO and BOD, Total hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, chlorides and sulphates were found in high concentration as compared to standard values. Hence, infiltration basins filled with filter media were designed and constructed in the campus to recharge ground water. Therefore treated waste water was passed through infiltration beds consisting of Coarse River sand, wood charcoal, 3/4th inch gravel, ¾ inch Granite stones and river boulders. Final analysis was done after filtration. BOD of the filtered water was reduced Ca2+, Mg2+, T.H, Cl and So42− were reduced .The research suggests that the waste water after treatment and filtration could be used for ground water recharge .This study provides an exploratory investigation into advantages of managing recycled waste The paper also provides evidence that an Integrated planning and approach is necessary for the waste water management in a water stressed basin. This work is a challenge for the present and also for the future.