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Journal of Engineering Research and Studies E-ISSN0976-7916

Research Article LABORATORY SCALE STUDIES ON DOMESTIC THROUGH VERMIFILTER AND NON-VERMIFILTER A. M. Kharwade a* Isha. P. Khedikar b**

Address for Correspondence aM.Tech student, IV sem Environmental Engg., G.H. Rasoni College of Engg. Nagpur, Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University. bAssistant Professor, Civil Engg., G.H. Raisoni College of Engineering, Nagpur, Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University ABSTRACT Water scarcity is worldwide problem. Water is vital for survival of living being. Greywater reuse is an attractive option. The reuse of grey water for non-potable water application is a potential solution for water deprived region world- wide .Therefore an attempt is made to reuse greywater, so as to reduce demand of fresh water. In present study, laboratory scale single stage filters were designed. Domestic grey water was passed through vermifilter and non-vermifilter. Domestic grey water was collected from the two storied building (house-1) and four storied building (house-2). Study is aimed to test the suitability of vermifilter and non-vermifilter for parameters viz. pH, efficiency removal of BOD and COD as well as Suspended solids in effluent grey water. From the experiment data it was found that percentage reduction in concentration of BOD and COD in vermifilter was more efficient than non-vermifilter. In vermifilter suspended solid are trapped on the top of the vermifilter and proceed by and fed to the soil microbes immobilized in the vermifilter. pH was changed from acidic to neutral by earthworm in vermifilter while pH remain same in effluent as in influent in non-vermifilter. KEYWORDS: Earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae , Vermiculture, Vermifilter, Non-Vermifilter, Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), (COD). 1. INTRODUCTION earthworm used for comparison of quality of grey Water is becoming limited resource in the world. In water effluent. India alone the International Water Management 1.4 Objectives Institute (IWMI) predicts that by 2025, one person in The objective of present study is to compare the three will live in conditions of absolute water scarcity vermifilter and non-vermifilter for parameters viz. pH (IWMI, 2003). Domestic water recycling is an and efficiency removal of BOD and COD as well as attractive option. The reuse of grey water for non- Suspended solids in effluent of domestic grey water. potable water application is a potential solution for 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS: water deprived region world-wide. 2.1 Experimental setup for vermifilter 1.1 What is Gray Water? The study was carried out in vermifilter kit Greywater is commonly defined as containing with the layer of black cotton soil generated from , laundry and kitchen. Due on top. This forms the vermifilter bed, as shown in to rapid industrialization and development, there is an figure 1. increased opportunity for greywater reuse in developing countries such as India. 1.2 Need for Greywater Reuse Reuse of greywater serves two purposes, reduces fresh water requirement and generation. In water scarce environments, Wastewater reuse and reclamation are often considered as a viable option for increased water resources availability. In water scarce developing countries, greywater reuse in schools, hospitals and government institutions is proving to be an essential alternate water resource to fresh ground, surface or rainwater supplies. 1.3 Vermifilter and non-vermifilter It is an aerobic treatment for greywater reuse. In this Figure 1 Shows different layer used in vermifilter we used technique called vermifiltration. It has provision to collect filtered water at the bottom Vermifiltration is emerging out low cast sustainable in a collection chamber which opens out through a technology for liquid waste treatment. Vermifilter pipe fitted with tap. For vermifilter black cotton soil means filter with earthworm, involving the use of having pH 7 were collected from Laxmi Nagar area, earthworm as versatile nature for effective Nagpur and earthworm surface feeder species recycling of nontoxic organic solid and liquid waste. (Eudrilus eugenia ) were procured from Dr. Devendra Earthworm can effectively employed to maximize the Kumar Campus, Center of Science for Village, growth of aerobic Bactria for waste processing. This Duttpur, Wardha.The bottommost layer is made of can be achieved by providing proper living condition gravel aggregate of size 20mm and it fills up to the and feeding them organic waste. This technique does depth of 40mm. Above this lies the aggregate of not require expensive laboratories of sophisticated 10mm size filling up to depth of 30mm.On the top of equipment. Non-vermifilter means filter without 10mm aggregate, passing through 2.36mm I.S

JERS/Vol.II/ Issue IV/October-December, 2011/35-39

Journal of Engineering Research and Studies E-ISSN0976-7916

Sieves were filled up to depth of another 30mm.The Rasta Square, Laxmi Nagar, Nagpur and from four topmost layer of soil mixed with cow dung in 1:3 storied building (house-2), Sahajanand Apartment, proportion were placed at the top of sand up to depth Dhantoli, Nagpur .. of 120mm in which the are released. 2.6 Analytical methods used in laboratory study 2.2 Experimental setup for non- vermifilter Analysis of greywater was carried out in A non-vermifilter kit (exact replica of vermifilter kit Environmental lab of Civil Engineering Department, but devoid of earthworm) was also organized for G.H. Raisoni Collage of Engineering, Nagpur. It was reference and comparison as shown in figure 2. Soil done to assess the BOD, COD, Suspended Solid, pH and aggregate in vermifilter kit also help in cleaning value of the influent and effluent grey water obtained of greywater by absorbing the impurities. They from vermifilter and non-vermifilter. Lab test are provide ideal for colonization by decomposer performing as per IS 3025 (PART44):1993. microbes which work to reduce BOD, COD and 2.6.1 Test for 3 day biochemical oxygen demand Suspended solid from greywater. (BOD 3 ) The biochemical oxygen demand test based on mainly procedure which measures the dissolved oxygen consumed by microorganisms while assimilating and oxidized the organic matter under aerobic condition. The test condition includes incubating the sample in air tight bottle in dark at a specified temperature for specific time. Determine initial DO for one bottle and keep two bottles for incubator at 27 0C for 3 day. After 3 days incubation at 27 0C determines final DO incubated bottles.

BOD 3(mg/lit) = (D 1-D2)* 1000/ P where, Figure 2 Shows different layer used in non- D1= Initial DO of the Sample in mg/lit, vermifilter D2= Final DO of the Sample in mg/lit 2.3 Role of earthworm in vermifilter P= decimal volumetric fraction of sample In vermifilter process earthworm removed BOD, 2.6.2 Test for chemical oxygen demand (COD) COD, and Suspended solid from grey water obtain Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is mesured by from different collection point. Earthworms remove using COD Digestor.The woking principal of this BOD, COD, and Suspended solid by general instrument is that sample was heated with strong mechanism of ‘feeding’ and ‘’ of oxidising agent ,pottasium diocromate for two hours 0 organic wastes. Earthworm converts biodegradable at 100 c after setting the heating value. This is open organic matter into vermicast which is rich in reflux method of COD.After digestion, the remainig nutrient. unreduced K 2Cr 2O7 is then titrated with the ferrous 2.4 Experimental method used in vermifilter and ammonium sulfate to determine amount of K 2Cr 2O7 is non-vermifilter. consumed and oxidised calaculated. 4 liter of greywater was kept in calibrated 8 liter 2.6.3 Suspended solid capacity plastic drum. These drum were kept on an The method to measure the amount of solid present in elevated platform just near the vermifilter. The drum the grey water sample in suspended form. a fiber had tap at the bottom to which an system glass filter paper was used to filter these suspended was attached .The greywater distribution system solid from solution. A specific volume of sample was consist of simple 0.5 inch flexible rubber pipe with filtered through the glass fiber filter paper. The solid holes for tricking water that allowed uniform retain on filter pare was kept for drying at 100- 0 distribution of greywater on soil surface. Greywater 105 c.The final weight of filter paper was from drum flowed through the perforated flexible determined. rubber pipe by gravity. The greywater percolated Suspeded solid = (W 2-W1)* 1000/ V s through various layers in the vermifiler bed passing Where, W 2 = Final weight of filter paper, W 1=Initial weight of filter paper, V = Volume of sample used through the soil layer inhabited by earthworms, the s 2.6.4 pH value sand layer and the and at the end was The meter was calibrating using standard buffer collected in a chamber at the bottom of the kit. Same solutions, having pH of 4 and 7.The pH meter day this treated water from both kits were collected measure the free [H+] ion concentration in solution. and analyzed for BOD, COD , Suspended solid and 3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION pH. It can be seen from figure 3 and 6 that the percentage 2.5 Sources of samples of reduction in concentration of BOD in vermifilter Domestic grey water was collected from the two ranges from 85 to 93 % while in non-vermifilter it storied building (house-1), Uma Apartment, Aath was found to be 72 to 80 % at 2-3hr of detention

JERS/Vol.II/ Issue IV/October-December, 2011/35-39

Journal of Engineering Research and Studies E-ISSN0976-7916 time. The earthworm degrades the wastewater ranges from 70 to 80% while in non-vermifilter it organic by ‘enzymatic action’ (which work as was found to be 60 to 70% at 2-3hr of detention time. biological bringing the pace and rapidity in Suspended solids from greywater are obtained and it biochemical reaction) and that is the reason for BOD is not much affected by detention time. In non- removal in vermifilter. It can be seen from figure 4 vermifilter removal of suspended solid from liquid and 7 that percentage of reduction in concentration of waste by geological and microbial system. Unaided COD in vermifilter ranges from 74 to 80%. COD by earthworm indicated that they are removed mainly reduction was greatly affected by detention time, by ‘adsorption’ on the surface of the soil, sand and higher the detention time lower will be COD. the gravels. This solid accumulated over time as Earthworms secrete the enzyme that helps in the and chock the system. In vermifilter these degradation of several other chemical which cannot solids are constantly eaten up by the earthworms and be decomposed by microbes while in non-vermifilter, do not allow any sludge to be formed and avoid it was found to be 52 to 60 % .This may due to chocking. Table 1 and 2 indicates that pH was increase the formation of bio-films of decomposer neutralized by earthworm in vermifilter while pH microbes in geological system (gravels). The remain same in effluent as in influent in non- percentage reduction in concentration of Suspended vermifilter Solid It can be seen from figure 5 and 8 in vermifilter

Figure 3% Reduction in BOD of house-1 greywater with vermifilter and non-vermifilter .

Figure 4 % Reduction in COD of house-1 greywater with vermifilter and non-vermifilter

Figure 5% Reduction in Suspended solid of house-1 greywater with vermifilter and non-vermifilter

JERS/Vol.II/ Issue IV/October-December, 2011/35-39

Journal of Engineering Research and Studies E-ISSN0976-7916

Figure 6% Reduction in BOD of house-2 greywater with vermifilter and non-vermifilter

Figure 7 % Reduction in COD of house-2 greywater with vermifilter and non-vermifilter

Figure 8 % Reduction in Suspended solid of house-2 greywater with vermifilter and non-vermifilter Table.1 Variation in pH For House-1 Table.2 Variation in pH For House-2 S.No Influent Effluent gray water pH S.No Influent Effluent gray water pH gray With Without gray With Without worms water pH worms worms Water pH worms 1 6.6 7.4 6.7 1 6.6 7.4 6.7 2 7.1 7.5 7.3 2 7.1 7.5 7.3 3 7.3 7.7 6.9 3 7.3 7.7 6.9 4 6.5 7.2 6.4 4 6.5 7.2 6.4 % Avg= 7.45 6.82 % Avg= 7.45 6.82 IMPORTANT OBSERVATION vermifilter. White fungus layer was found on upper There was no problem of any foul odor in vermifilter layer of non-vermifilter while there was no fungus throughout the experiment and some foul odor found in vermifilter. A crucial observation was emanating from non-vermifilter. Grey water killing of few earthworms in vermifilter bed. smoothly percolate from soil bed in vermifilter and while it was constantly chocking observed in non-

JERS/Vol.II/ Issue IV/October-December, 2011/35-39

Journal of Engineering Research and Studies E-ISSN0976-7916

4. CONCLUSION From the experimental data it was found that vermifilter is more efficient than non-vermifilter in efficiency of removal of BOD,COD as well as Suspended solids. REFERENCES 1. Grey Water Reuse In Ruler School–Wise Water Management Manual(NEERI) JAN-2007. 2. Natraj V.M., Nikam N.M., Doke S.D. (2010), “A Case Study of for College Hostel Through Vermiculture Biotechnology” National conference on Sustainable Development of Urban Infrastructure, Abstract Vol, pp.556. 3. Sinha R.K., Bharambe G., Bapat P “Removal Of High BOD And COD Loading Of Primary Liquid Waste Product From Dairy Industry By Vermifiltration Technology Using Earthworm” Indian J.Environmental Protection, Vol 27, No. 6 June 2007. 4. Gajalakshmi S., Abbas S.A, Earthworm And Vermicomposting,Indian Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3, Oct-2004, pp 486-494. 5. Munnoli P.M., Bhosle Saroj, Effect of Soil and Cow dung Proportion On Vermicomposting by Burrower and Surface Feeder Species, Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research, Vol.68 Jan- 2009, pp-57-60. 6. BC Green Building Code Background Research, Greywater Recycling Oct-2007. 7. Aalok Asha, Tripathi A.K, .Soni P,(2008), “Vermicomposting Is Better Option For Solid Waste Management” Abstract Vol, pp.59-64. 8. Singh Karan, Bhimawat B.S, Punjabi N.K.,”Adoption of Vermifilter Technology By Tribal Farmer In Udaipur District Of Rajasthan". International Journal of Ruler Studies (IJRS) Vol.15,No.1 Aprial 2008. 9. Safe Disposal Of Unused Treated Grey Water By TERI, Environmental Building Guideline For Greater Hyderabad- ver.1.1 (2008). 10. Chiarawatchi N., (2010) Implementation Of Earthworm Assisted to Treat Wastewater and Possibility of Using Alternative Plant in Constructed Wetland, Vol.no 72, Feb-2010. 11. Dr.Punmia B.C.; Jain Ashok K.; Jain Arun K.; Water Supply Engineering, Jan-2009, pp.156- 157. 12. namdar Aparna, Vermiculture Biotechnology, Geosense www.google .com

JERS/Vol.II/ Issue IV/October-December, 2011/35-39