The impact of limiting factors in a recirculating wastewater treatment system

The Central Queensland University (CQU) has developed a recirculating evapotranspiration channel for the treatment and reuse of wastewater. The major advantages of the system are an independence from the local soil type and the separation of effluent from external environment. The channel is filled with a soil blend that is suitable for the reuse of effluent, and the sub-surface irrigation in a sealed channel isolates the wastewater and protects public and environmental health. Within the channel the normal limiting factors in on-site wastewater treatment and reuse, such assalinity, sodicity, heavy metals, nutrient accumulation do have an impact. The extent of these limiting factors impact within the channel was examined over eight trial sites in Central Queensland. The results showed that the characteristics of the wastewater had a major impact on how the limiting factors affected the soil within the channel.The examination of the limiting factors within an enclosed environment has produced useful data in regards to the determination of the most beneficial soil blends for on-site wastewater treatment and reuse.