An Alternative for Sustainable Domestic Wastewater Treatment in Bangkok

Abstract

Concerns have been raised on sustainability of conventional linear domestic wastewater treatment system in developing countries where Bangkok is not an exception. This paper aimed to unveil basic facts on characteristics and organic degradation potential of domestic wastewater in Bangkok with simple laboratory experiments and wastewater quality survey of two typical treatment plants considering existing local traditions. The results showed greywater-like qualities of domestic wastewater in Bangkok as a result of continued use of septic tanks and tradition of using water in defecation instead of toilet paper, and high organic degradation potential in tropical condition. The domestic wastewater characteristics, climatic conditions and existing local traditions in Bangkok can be better utilized by introducing low-cost, closed-loop natural treatment system with source separation instead of continuing the conventional linear system for sustainability.