Evaluation of vermifiltration process using natural ingredients for effective wastewater treatment

The present investigation focused on the evaluation of vermifiltration process using different natural ingredients as a media. The vermifilter was evaluated using different natural ingredients viz river bed material, wood coal, glass balls, mud balls and employing Eisenia fetida as an earthworm species. The complete study was carried out for 90 days. The average COD removal for different material i.e. river bed material, wood coal, glass balls and mud balls was found as 72.3, 64.6, 61.5 and 59.8% while average BOD removal was observed as 81.2, 74.5, 72.7 and 70.9%, for respective filter media. Similarly, the total suspended solid removal was observed as 75, 64, 59 and 55%, respectively for above mentioned different media. The river bed material revealed maximum reduction of indicator organisms like total coliform (3.6 ± 0.90 log unit), fecal coliform (3.4 ± 0.67 log unit), fecal streptococci and Escherichia coli (2.5 ± 0.51 log unit). At the end of the run vermicompost obtained through vermifiltration process as a byproduct were found to be rich in nitrate (31.2 ± 5.9 mg/L), phosphate (18.1 ± 4.6 mg/L) which could be exploited in sewage farming.