Interlocking filters: A low-cost, environmentally friendly technology for decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse.v

About the Resource:

Multi-soil layering (MSL) is a wastewater treatment technology based on the advanced physico-chemical and biological abilities of soil to remediate decentralized wastewater pollutants. The MSL system is characterized by low space occupation, reduced maintenance, energetic needs, and offers the opportunity to the on-site reuse compared to similar natural wastewater treatment technologies. MSL is constructed through the succession of heterogeneous layers: soil mixture layers (SMLs) and permeable layers (PLs) in a brick-like configuration. This ingenious design enabled the system to sustain high hydraulic loads and minimized clogging risks with the coexistence of aero/anaerobic condition and to acquire advanced purifying capabilities for several decentralized wastewater types. This work aims to introduce MSL as an emerging Eco-technology, summarizes the operating principle, function of used materials, and removal mechanisms through the system. Moreover, this paper displays some successful applications across different countries and confirms the low-cost character of the system through an economical analysis that sets the construction cost in less than 80 US$ to treat 1m3/day during 20 consecutive years of operation. Finally, this study enumerates the MSL strengths in comparison to conventional technologies as a future sustainable alternative for developing nations such as the African countries.