economically viable (Shao et al. 2014; Chyan et al. 2013; Arias et al. 2005;
Carballeira et al. 2017; Kumar et al. 2016). Vermifiltration is the bioconversion of
liquid/wastewater, while vermicomposting is the biological conversion of solid
waste to a value-added end product. In other words, introduction of earthworms in
filtration system with suitable bedding materials to breakdown organic pollutants is
called vermifiltration (Tomar and Suthar 2011). In vermifiltration degradation of
organic pollutants in wastewater happens with the joint action of earthworms and
microorganisms (Zhao et al. 2010; Wang et al. 2016). In 1992, Prof. Jose Toha of
University of Chile initially advocated the use of vermifiltration as an alternate
technology as it is a fast, odourless process producing an end product which is
stable, disinfected, detoxified and highly nutritive effluent (Wang et al. 2010; Xing
et al. 2010). It is an economically and environmentally preferred decentralized
technology compared to other biological process.
2.2 Wastewater Treatment
With the surfacing of problems associated with centralized wastewater treatment
facilities, decentralized wastewater treatment options and water reuse are gaining
importance at a fast pace. Wastewater management is normally done through end of
pipe system which is the conventional method of wastewater treatment. These
systems are treating huge quantities of waste and are becoming unmanageable
leading to severe water pollution problems. Decentralized wastewater treatment
options play an important role in managing and improving rural environments in
the long run. Vermifiltration can be one of the promising decentralized wastewater
treatment techniques which provide treatment of wastewater by filtering through a
vermicomposting mass. The treatment of raw domestic wastewater through a filtration process has been investigated before (Lens et al. 1994). Xing et al. (2005)
carried out a pilot-scale study on vermifiltration of sewage at Shanghai Quyang
Wastewater Treatment Facility in China. Significant reduction in the organic loads
like biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) was
found by the studies carried out by Gardner et al. (1997) on on-site effluent treatment
by earthworms. Use of earthworms for the management of effluents containing
heavy loads of BOD, total dissolved suspended solid (TDSS) and nutrients nitrogen
were studied by Hartenstein and Bisesi (1989). The worms produced clean effluents
and also nutrient-rich vermicompost. Studies were also carried out by Bajsa et al.
(2003) on the vermifiltration of domestic wastewater using earthworms.
2.2.1 Wastewater Treatment Options
Reports by Lodge et al. (2000) stated that biological aerated filter (BAF) was used to
treat grey water at the largest water recycling treatment plant in Europe, at the
2 Vermifiltration for Rural Wastewater Treatment
21
Carballeira et al. 2017; Kumar et al. 2016). Vermifiltration is the bioconversion of
liquid/wastewater, while vermicomposting is the biological conversion of solid
waste to a value-added end product. In other words, introduction of earthworms in
filtration system with suitable bedding materials to breakdown organic pollutants is
called vermifiltration (Tomar and Suthar 2011). In vermifiltration degradation of
organic pollutants in wastewater happens with the joint action of earthworms and
microorganisms (Zhao et al. 2010; Wang et al. 2016). In 1992, Prof. Jose Toha of
University of Chile initially advocated the use of vermifiltration as an alternate
technology as it is a fast, odourless process producing an end product which is
stable, disinfected, detoxified and highly nutritive effluent (Wang et al. 2010; Xing
et al. 2010). It is an economically and environmentally preferred decentralized
technology compared to other biological process.
2.2 Wastewater Treatment
With the surfacing of problems associated with centralized wastewater treatment
facilities, decentralized wastewater treatment options and water reuse are gaining
importance at a fast pace. Wastewater management is normally done through end of
pipe system which is the conventional method of wastewater treatment. These
systems are treating huge quantities of waste and are becoming unmanageable
leading to severe water pollution problems. Decentralized wastewater treatment
options play an important role in managing and improving rural environments in
the long run. Vermifiltration can be one of the promising decentralized wastewater
treatment techniques which provide treatment of wastewater by filtering through a
vermicomposting mass. The treatment of raw domestic wastewater through a filtration process has been investigated before (Lens et al. 1994). Xing et al. (2005)
carried out a pilot-scale study on vermifiltration of sewage at Shanghai Quyang
Wastewater Treatment Facility in China. Significant reduction in the organic loads
like biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) was
found by the studies carried out by Gardner et al. (1997) on on-site effluent treatment
by earthworms. Use of earthworms for the management of effluents containing
heavy loads of BOD, total dissolved suspended solid (TDSS) and nutrients nitrogen
were studied by Hartenstein and Bisesi (1989). The worms produced clean effluents
and also nutrient-rich vermicompost. Studies were also carried out by Bajsa et al.
(2003) on the vermifiltration of domestic wastewater using earthworms.
2.2.1 Wastewater Treatment Options
Reports by Lodge et al. (2000) stated that biological aerated filter (BAF) was used to
treat grey water at the largest water recycling treatment plant in Europe, at the
2 Vermifiltration for Rural Wastewater Treatment
21