Is the living filter sustainable? Assessing the land application of municipal effluent
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States). Dept. of Landscape Architecture
The spray irrigation of treated municipal effluent has been practiced for over three decades as an alternative to direct discharge techniques. Benefits include aquifer recharge, discontinuation of waterway pollution, and enhanced crop production. Numerous post implementation analyses are now available, permitting an assessment of the environmental and health impacts of land application of effluent. In general, negative effects are of a localized nature. In forested situations, spraying causes changes in moisture regime, wildlife habitat, and forest floor depth, possibly to the detriment of local ecology. Long-term changes to vegetative patterns have been observed, including the invasion of aggressive edge species and die-off of hardwood seedling stock. For both forested and field situations, the soil mantle effectively binds trace metals, so aquifer contamination through infiltration of heavy metals is negligible. However, over-application can lead to nitrification of groundwater supplies. Secondarily treated wastewater applied to the soil mantle has been determined to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms effectively, although untreated and primarily treated effluent has been associated with health impacts in developing countries. Appropriate site selection and irrigation management practices can maximize the likelihood that the living filter technique achieves sustainability and provides a viable alternative to direct discharge of community wastewater.
- OSTI ID:
- 162978
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Professional, Vol. 17, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Dec 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Environmental transport and fate of endocrine disruptors from non-potable reuse of municipal wastewater
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact: Wastewater Treatment Capability Upgrade, Project NO. 96-D-122 Pantex Plant Amarillo, Texas