Swirl flow bioreactor containing dendritic copper-containing alginate beads: A potential rapid method for the eradication of Escherichia coli from waste water streams

Despite the increasing use of Decentralised Waste Water Systems (DEWATS) in the developing world, which effectively dewater sludge, the problem of preventing the pathogen-laden water produced by these systems from re-entering the food chain constitutes a continuing burden on developing countries, which hinders subsequent advancements. We report on a swirl flow reactor generating high mixing areas which in conjunction with Cu/alginate beads effectively reduces Escherichia coli numbers by five orders of magnitude in 10 min. The system is simple, low cost, portable and modular; it can be assembled with simple plastic plumbing parts available in most areas and, once further developed, may represent a useful adjunct for both existing and new DEWATS facilities.