Greywater treatment in airports using anaerobic filter followed by UV disinfection : an efficient and low cost alternative.

Abstract

Greywater reuse is one of the main alternatives for reducing potable water consumption in households, industries and commercial buildings. Airport complexes need large amounts of water to maintain their operation routine, and replacing potable water with greywater may represent significant savings of financial and environmental resources. The objectives of this study were to discuss aspects related to greywater reuse in airports of different regions, as well as to present a case study of an airport in Brazil. Greywater treatment and reuse are quite common worldwide, although not many airports have already implemented such practice. Even though several sophisticated technologies have been widely used in some airports, treating source-separated effluent requires simple techniques and facilitates reuse. The case study evaluated a system consisting of an anaerobic filter followed by ultraviolet disinfection. The results were satisfactory according to less strict reuse standards and an economic analysis showed that in five years the cost of the investment will be returned. Due to its simple operation, the system is mostly indicated for small and mid-size airports, or for decentralized treatment in large airports. Greywater reuse must increasingly become part of a set of integrated actions toward the rational use of water, since this type of effluent represents an alternative source for non-potable uses, with extensive applicability in airports.