CONCENTRATION OF FAECAL SLUDGE SOLIDS IN WASTE STABILISATION PONDS IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS

Abstract

Faecal sludge treatment is necessary for waste water reuse. Among the natural biological treatment systems available, stabilization ponds have been used widely around the world with a considerable success. This research was conducted to assess the levels of faecal sludge solids concentration in waste stabilisation ponds, which consist of twin anaerobic pond, primary and secondary facultative pond and a single maturation pond at the Tamale Metropolis landfill site in Northern Ghana. The results revealed TSS concentration range of 4122.22 to 8760.37 mg/l, TDS range of 1970.20 to 9744.11 mg/l and TS range of 6092.4 to 18504.48 mg/l. Variation of faecal sludge solids concentration among different stabilisation ponds were statistically, highly significant by analysis of variances. However, variations of solids concentration within individual ponds were statistically insignificant. The anaerobic pond recorded the highest faecal sludge solid concentration relative to the other ponds as expected. The faecal sludge solids levels were observed to be higher than the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency recommended standard for the discharge of effluent into the environment. This may impede the faecal sludge treatment processes and make the entire system function below required safety levels.