Pathogen removal mechanisms in macrophyte and algal waste stabilization ponds

Waste stabilization ponds are recognized as the solution to domestic wastewater treatment in developing countries. The use of such natural systems is considered to be very important. This is because it is cheap, easy to construct and they do not require high skilled labour. In the developing countries the objectives for wastewater treatment should put emphasis on pathogen removal since most diseases and deaths in these areas are caused by poor sanitation. The efficiency in the removal of pathogens in algal waste stabilization ponds has been found to be very good. The global awareness on resource depletion calls for the use of macrophytes to recover nutrients from wastewater and also to act as an incentive to wastewater treatment. However, the pathogen removal efficiencies of macrophyte-based stabilization ponds are not well known. An understanding of the mechanism involved could be used to improve on the technology and maximize the benefits through effective operation and maintenance practice