Wastewater treatment by peat filtration

A new treatment system for domestic wastewater of a family house is described. The system is a polyester tank of 1 m x 4 m with a depth of 30 cm filled with peat. Three distinct layers of peat are formed in the tank by using impermeable polyethylene sheets between the peat layers. Principally water flows zigzagwise and downwards from one layer to another. The top layer is vegetated with grass. About 250 l domestic wastewater is introduced daily to the system. Daily removal of COD 119 g/m(2), nitrogen 2.3 g/m(2) and suspended solids 25.6 g/m(2) were optained.