Treatment of domestic wastewater using an anaerobic baffled reactor followed by a duckweed pond for agricultural purposes

The treatment and reuse of domestic wastewater using an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) followed by a duckweed pond (DWP) were the main theme of the present study. The ABR was fed continuously with domestic wastewater at four HRTs ranging from 8 to 24 h and corresponds to organic loading rates ranging from 0.67 to 2.1 kg COD/m³/day. The ABR effluent was fed to a DWP operating at 10 and 15 days. The performance of the ABR at the four HRTs gave satisfactory results. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal was between 68 and 82%. Fecal coliform removal was between 1 to 2 logs. The 12- and 18-h hydraulic retention times (HRTs) gave close results, as indication of the possible selection of the 12-h HRT as the optimum operation for the ABR based on economic advantage. The ABR compartmentalized structure gave results higher than those produced by the one-stage digester and similar to those produced by the two-phase anaerobic digestion process. Duckweed ponds as post-treatment operated at 10 days and 15 days gave the best results at 15-day HRT, where it was possible to remove 73.4% of nitrogen and 65% of phosphorus and produce protein-rich dry duckweed of 105 kg/ha/day on average. The removal of fecal coliform (FC) in duckweed ponds was 3–4 logs. The final treated domestic sewage characteristics proved its compliance with the Egyptian standards for reuse in restricted irrigation.     

Sustainable options of post treatment of UASB effluent treating sewage: A review

The upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) process is reported to be a sustainable technology for domestic wastewaters treatment in developing countries and for small communities. However, the inability of UASB process to meet the desired disposal standards has given enough impetus for subsequent post treatment. In order to upgrade the UASB based sewage treatment plants (STPs) to achieve desired effluent quality for disposal or for reuse, various technological options are available and broadly differentiated as primary post-treatment for the removal of organic and inorganic compounds and suspended matter; secondary post-treatment for the removal of hardly degradable soluble matter, colloidal and nutrients; and polishing systems for removals of pathogens. Hence, this paper discusses the different systems for the treatment of UASB reactor effluent treating sewage. Additionally, a comparative review, an economic evaluation of some of the emerging options was conducted and based on the extensive review of different integrated combination, i.e. UASB-different aerobic systems, a treatment concept based on natural biological mineralization route recognized as an advanced technology to meet all practical aspects to make it a sustainable for environmental protection, resource preservation and recovering maximum resources.     

Glutathione Related Enzyme Levels of Freshwater Fish as Bioindicators of Pollution

The livers and kidneys of freshwater fish species, Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias lazera, collected from sewage polluted sites (Ismailia and El-Bahr El-Azam) and industrial polluted sites (Shubra and El-Tebin) of Nile River were analyzed for different antioxidant defense enzymes. The liver and kidney glutathione transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were higher in O. niloticus captured from all the polluted areas compared to the control. Low GST activities were found in 33.3%, 60% and 53% in the livers and 100%, 80% and 53% in the kidneys of C. lazera captured from El-Bahr El-Azam, Shubra and El-Tebin. GR and GPx activities increased in livers and kidneys of C. lazera collected from all areas except for Shubra, in which, GPx of livers and kidneys were low in 100% of C. lazera. Metals Ni, Co, Cr, Se, Cd and Pb resulting from industrial wastes and metal mining wastes were enhanced at the polluted sites. SDS-PAGE of liver and kidney of O. niloticus and C. lazera indicated the increase in bands number and intensity of protein bands with subunit molecular weights between 30–20 KDa in polluted areas. Several enzymes from glutathione system (activity and protein) constitute a sensitive biochemical indicator of chemical pollution. Relative changes of glutathione-dependent enzymes in both fish species suggest a different susceptibility to toxins.     

The Importance of Supratidal Habitats for Wintering Shorebirds and the Potential Impacts of Shrimp Aquaculture

Intensive black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) aquaculture ponds have replaced significant areas of coastal wetlands throughout tropical Asia. Few studies have assessed potential impacts on avian foraging habitats. At Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park, Thailand, seminatural wetlands have been converted to either shrimp ponds or to salinization ponds that provide saline water for shrimp aquaculture. Although shorebirds cannot feed in aquaculture ponds, hypersaline ponds can provide productive foraging areas. Thus, the overall impact of the shrimp industry on shorebirds depends partly on the relative quality of the salt ponds compared to seminatural wetlands. In this study, we examined wintering shorebird use of tidal (N = 5 sites) and supratidal areas (four wetland sites, four salt pond sites) and compared the shorebird community (14 species), prey availability, profitability, and disturbance rates between wetlands and salt ponds. Two shorebird species fed in higher densities in wetlands, whereas seven species were more abundant in salt ponds. Large juvenile fish and dragonfly larvae were more abundant in wetlands, whereas there were more small Chironomid midge and fly larvae in salt ponds. We conclude that salt ponds might provide higher-quality foraging habitats compared to wetlands for small shorebirds species because of the abundance of small larvae. However, the shrimp aquaculture industry reduces habitat availability for shorebirds feeding on larger prey. This study demonstrates a comprehensive, multispecies approach to assess the impacts of a large-scale change in coastal habitats for wintering shorebirds.     

Phytoremediation of dairy effluent by constructed wetland technology

Constructed wetlands are artificial wastewater treatment systems consisting of shallow ponds or channels which have been planted with aquatic plants and which rely upon natural microbial, biological, physical and chemical process to treat wastewater and are gaining acceptance in the recent years as a viable option for the treatment of industrial effluents and removal of toxic components. In this study, an attempt was made to compare the efficiency of aquatic macrophytes like Typha sp., Eichhornia sp., Salvinia sp., Pistia sp., Azolla sp. and Lemna sp. to treat the effluents from dairy factory, under laboratory conditions in constructed wetlands. The biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand of dairy effluent were reduced up to 65.4–83.07% and 70.4–85.3%, respectively, after treatment with constructed wetland technology.     

The Influence of Nutrients and Physical Habitat in Regulating Algal Biomass in Agricultural Streams

This study examined the relative influence of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and habitat on algal biomass in five agricultural regions of the United States. Sites were selected to capture a range of nutrient conditions, with 136 sites distributed over five study areas. Samples were collected in either 2003 or 2004, and analyzed for nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) and algal biomass (chlorophyll a). Chlorophyll a was measured in three types of samples, fine-grained benthic material (CHL_FG), coarse-grained stable substrate as in rock or wood (CHL_CG), and water column (CHL_S). Stream and riparian habitat were characterized at each site. TP ranged from 0.004–2.69 mg/l and TN from 0.15–21.5 mg/l, with TN concentrations highest in Nebraska and Indiana streams and TP highest in Nebraska. Benthic algal biomass ranged from 0.47–615 mg/m², with higher values generally associated with coarse-grained substrate. Seston chlorophyll ranged from 0.2–73.1 μg/l, with highest concentrations in Nebraska. Regression models were developed to predict algal biomass as a function of TP and/or TN. Seven models were statistically significant, six for TP and one for TN; r ² values ranged from 0.03 to 0.44. No significant regression models could be developed for the two study areas in the Midwest. Model performance increased when stream habitat variables were incorporated, with 12 significant models and an increase in the r ² values (0.16–0.54). Water temperature and percent riparian canopy cover were the most important physical variables in the models. While models that predict algal chlorophyll a as a function of nutrients can be useful, model strength is commonly low due to the overriding influence of stream habitat. Results from our study are presented in context of a nutrient-algal biomass conceptual model.     

Polyurethane rotating disc system for post-treatment of anaerobically pre-treated sewage

The performance of polyurethane rotating discs (RBC-1) versus polystyrene rotating discs (RBC-2) for the treatment of an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor effluent fed with domestic wastewater was investigated. Both RBC units were operated at the same organic loading rate (OLR) of 10.5 gCOD/m² d. and a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2.5 h. The residual values of COD fractions (COD_suspended, COD_colloidal and COD_soluble) in the treated effluent of RBC-1 and RBC-2 were similar. However, the removal efficiency of ammonia in the RBC-1 (87 ± 4%) was significantly higher than that found for RBC-2 i.e. 24 ± 6%. Moreover, RBC-1 achieved a substantial removal efficiency of 99.0 ± 1% for Escherichia coli (E. coli), while RBC-2 removed 91.2 ± 0.3%. Based on these results, optimization of RBC-1 treating UASB reactor effluent was extensively performed. The RBC-1 was operated at an OLR's of 4.0, 11 and 23 gCOD/m² d. The results obtained showed that increasing the OLR from 11.0 to 23.0 gCOD/m² d and decreasing the HRT from 2.5 to 1.25 h significantly declined the effluent quality of COD_total and ammonia. However, the residual values of COD_total and ammonia remained unaffected when increasing the OLR from 4.0 to 11.0 gCOD/m² d and by decreasing the HRT from 5 to 2.5 h. Bacteriological examination showed that the mean residual count of E. coli remained at a level of 10⁴/100 ml, in the effluent of RBC-1 independent on the imposed HRT. Accordingly, it is recommended to operate RBC-1 for treatment of anaerobically pre-treated sewage at an OLR of 11 gCOD/m² d and an HRT of 2.5 h.A feed-less (ammonia limitation) period of 9.0 days followed by 9.0 days feeding with high OLR of 26 gCOD/m² d. (raw sewage) was investigated to elaborate, if the nitrifiers of the RBC-1 are capable to convert ammonia to nitrate after totally 18 days when retuning back to the normal operating conditions. The results of the experiment clearly show a strong and immediate detrimental effect of imposing high OLR of 26 gCOD/m² d on the nitrification process in the nitrifying RBC unit. However, after returning back to the original OLR of 10.6 gCOD/m² d, the nitrification efficiency in the RBC unit was recovered within 2–3 days.     

Impoundment Productivity in the Prudhoe Bay Oil Field, Alaska: Implications for Waterbirds

a ), and nutrient availability (phosphorus and nitrogen). High variability in these limnological characteristics, particularly among impoundments, obscured potential differences between impoundments and ponds. No significant differences were found in chlorophyll or nutrient concentrations, and in only two cases were there differences in invertebrate production: gastropods were significantly more abundant in impoundments than in ponds in June, and trichopterans were significantly more abundant in impoundments than in ponds in July. For comparisons within impoundments and ponds, there were significant differences in invertebrate abundance between habitats and between wetland types. For example, plecopterans, trichopterans, and gastropods (all taxa combined) were consistently more abundant in shallow–Arctophila impoundments and ponds than in shallow–Carex impoundments and ponds. Thus, ponds and impoundments may differ significantly in invertebrate production, but we lack information on the amount of different habitat types (i.e., center versus emergent vegetation, Carex versus Arctophila) used by these taxa within each water body type. It is a reasonable speculation, based on results of this study, that impoundments and ponds may have similar value as feeding habitat for invertebrate-eating waterbirds. Thus the presence of impoundments may be consistent with waterbird management goals on the Arctic Coastal Plain.     

四川沱牌集团污水综合治理工程联动运行及工艺调试

本文介绍了四川沱牌集团污水综合治理工程所采用的预处理-厌氧-好氧处理工艺的联动运行及工艺调试情况,探讨了pH调整、UASB的启动、好氧池丝状菌的控制方法,阐述了UASB的快速启动经验,验证了UASB CASS工艺处理高浓度酿酒废水是可行的。     

AnSBBR applied to the treatment of wastewater from a personal care industry: Effect of organic load and fill time

The objective of this work was to study the technological feasibility of treating wastewater from a personal care industry (PCI-WW) in a mechanically stirred anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor (AnSBBR) containing immobilized biomass on polyurethane foam. An assessment was made on how system efficiency and stability would be affected by: increasing organic load; supplementation of nutrients and alkalinity; and different feed strategies. The AnSBBR operated with 8-h cycles, stirring speed of 400 rpm, temperature of 30 °C, and treated with 2.0 L wastewater per cycle. First the efficiency and stability of the AnSBBR were studied when submitted to an organic loading rate (OLR) of 3.1–9.4 gCOD/(L d), and when the PCI-WW was supplemented with nutrients (sucrose, urea, trace metals) and alkalinity. The AnSBBR was shown to be robust and presented stability and removal efficiency exceeding 90%. At an OLR of 12.0 gCOD/(L d) efficiency became difficult to maintain due to the presence of commercial cleansers and disinfectants in the wastewater lots. In a subsequent stage the AnSBBR treated the wastewater supplemented with alkalinity, but with no nutrients at varying feed strategies and maintaining an OLR of approximately 9.0 gCOD/(L d). The first strategy consists of feeding 2.0 L of the influent batchwise [OLR of 9.4 gCOD/(L d)]. In the second 1.0 L of influent was fed-batchwise and an additional 1.0 L was fed fed-batchwise [OLR of 9.2 gCOD/(L d)], i.e., in relation to the first strategy the feed volume was maintained but supplied in different periods. In the third strategy 1.0 L of treated effluent was maintained in the reactor and 1.0 L of influent was fed fed-batchwise [OLR of 9.0 gCOD/(L d)], i.e., in relation to the first strategy the feed volume was different but the feed period was the same and the OLR was maintained by increasing the influent concentration. Comparison of the first and second strategies revealed that organic matter removal efficiency was unaffected (exceeding 90%). The third strategy resulted in a reduction in average removal efficiency from 91 to 83% when compared to the first one. A kinetic study resulted in first order kinetic parameters ranges from 0.42 to 1.46 h⁻¹ at OLRs from 3.1 to 12.0 gCOD/(L d), respectively, and the second feed strategy [OLR of 9.2 gCOD/(L d)] was shown to be the most favorable.     

Sludge-grown algae for culturing aquatic organisms: Part II. Sludge-grown algae as feeds for aquatic organisms

This project investigated the feasibility of using sewage sludge to culture microalgae (Chlorella-HKBU) and their subsequent usage as feeds for rearing different organisms. Part II of the project evaluated the results of applying the sludge-grown algae to feedOreochromis mossambicus (fish),Macrobrachium hainenese (shrimp), andMoina macrocopa (cladocera). In general, the yields of the cultivated organisms were unsatisfactory when they were fed the sludge-grown algae directly. The body weights ofO. mossambicus andM. macrocopa dropped 21% and 37%, respectively, although there was a slight increase (4.4%) inM. hainenese. However, when feeding the algal-fed cladocerans to fish and shrimp, the body weights of the fish and shrimp were increased 7% and 11% accordingly. Protein contents of the cultivated organisms were comparable to the control diet, although they contained a rather high amount of heavy metals. When comparing absolute heavy metal contents in the cultivated organisms, the following order was observed: alga > cladocera > shrimp, fish > sludge extracts. Bioelimination of heavy metals may account for the decreasing heavy metal concentrations in higher trophic organisms.     

Effect of stocking density and food quality on the growth and fecundity of an epigeic earthworm (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eisenia fetida</Emphasis>) during vermicomposting

Physico-chemical characteristics of the feed and optimum worm density are important parameters for the efficient working of a vermicomposting system. Overcrowding of worms can affect the efficiency of a vermicomposting system even if all other parameters have been optimized. This article reports the effect of stocking density and feed quality on the growth and fecundity of Eisenia fetida under laboratory conditions. The feed mixtures contained cow dung and textile mill wastewater sludge in different ratios. Three feed mixtures and five stocking rates (1, 2, 4, 8, and 12) were tested for 12 weeks. The results showed that E. fetida growth rate was faster at higher stocking densities; however, biomass gain per worm was faster at lower stocking densities. Sexual maturity was attained earlier at higher stocking densities. Growth rate was highest in 100% cow dung at all the stocking densities when compared to textile mill wastewater sludge containing feed mixtures. A worm population of 27–53 worms per kg of feed was found to be the most favorable stocking density.     

An intergrated waste survey and environmental effects of COGIDO, a bleached pulp and paper mill in Vietnam, on the receiving waterbody

An integrated investigation on wastewater characterization and the environmental effects from the COGIDO pulp and paper mill in Bien Hoa Industrial Estate, Vietnam, a chlorine bleached soda integrated pulp and paper mill operating without a chemical recovery system, on the receiving water body was conducted during the rainy and dry seasons in 1993 and 1995. The pollution load from the mill was very high in terms of BOD, COD and SS (COD_m: 58.7 t/d; BOD: 33.3 t/d and SS: 25.1 t/d). The effluent toxicity was determined using four toxicity tests: the green micro-alga, Selenastrum capricornutum, Microtox (marine bacteria: Photobacterium phosphoreum), the duckweed, Lemna aequinoctialis, and fish (silver barb: Puntius gonionotus, and Tilapia: Tilapia nilotica). Selenastrum capricornutum was the most sensitive among the tested organisms. The mill toxicity emission rate (TER) was as high as 338 610 (Selenastrum test). The bleaching-pulp and semi-chemical pulp plants which contributed the largest pollution load to the total COGIDO effluent, therefore, were targeted for abatement measures. Physico-chemical parameters as well as qualitative and quantitative aquatic organism composition for the river water were established. The BOD₅ and COD values exceeded the potable surface water standard by a factor of 2 to 4. The species diversity and abundance of the phytoplankton, zooplankton and zoobenthos were found to be lower (20–40%) than that of unpolluted rivers in Vietnam, whereas pollution-indicator species increased up to four times during the dry season 1995.     

Biomass production for bioenergy using recycled wastewater in a natural waste treatment system

Bioenergy production from biomass is proposed as a method to solve part of the nation's energy problem. However, biomass and bioenergy production is questioned as an environment-friendly approach due to the potential increase of water pollution and the potential decrease of available water resource. A conceptual model of an integrated natural waste treatment system that produces biogas and biomass for bioenergy, treat waste and wastewater, conserve fresh water, and decrease the potential water pollution is presented. The potential biomass production from water hyacinth, duckweed, cattail, and knotgrass was investigated using recycling wastewater from an integrated natural waste treatment system from 2005 to 2008. Although the biomass production from recycling wastewater was not controlled for maximum production, this research identified the large potential impact that could be made if these systems were implemented. The overall average water hyacinth growth rate was high to 0.297 kg wet wt./m²/day during a research period of over 500 days, including both the active and non-active growing seasons. The average daily growth rates of duckweed, cattail, and knotgrass were 0.099-0.127, 0.015, and 0.018 kg wet wt./m², respectively. This research illustrated that water hyacinth was a more promising aquatic plant biomass for bioenergy production when wastewater effluent was recycled as water and nutrient sources from an integrated natural waste treatment system.     

ALGAL BIOASSAY AND GROSS PRODUCTIVITY EXPERIMENTS USING SEWAGE EFFLUENT IN A MICHIGAN WETLAND'

ABSTRACT: One component of the filamentous algal community of a northern fen ecosystem in central Michigan was studied under conditions of nutrient enrichment by secondarily treated sewage effluent during one growing season. The productivity of Cladophora spp. measured by continuous flow bioassay was 2.6 g dry weight m day at the site of effluent addition compared to 0.085 g m day at the control site. Under conditions of nutrient enrichment, uptake by bioassay Cladophora spp. averaged 12 mg m^?2day^?1for phosphorus and 55 mg m^?2day^?1for nitrogen, compared to 0.01 mg m^?2 day^?1and 0.16 mg m^?2day^?1for phosphorus and nitrogen, respectively, in the control area. At the end of the growing season approximately 4.3 g N m^?2 and 0.96 g P m^?2were immobilized in Cladophora algal biomass. Algal growth temporarily immobilized 3.0 percent of the nitrogen and 1.0 percent of the phosphorus added as sewage effluent. Gross productivity of surface water in the fen averaged 1.5 g O₂m^?2day^?1at the nutrient enriched site, compared to 0.5 g O₂ m^?2day^?1at the control area. Gross productivity, community respiration and reaeration constant values in the fen were similar to data collected by other researchers in shallow water aquatic systems, but only at the fertilized sites.     

Biodiversity,ecohydrology, threat status and conservation priority of the freshwater fishes of river Gomti,a tributary of river Ganga (India)

Extensive surveys were conducted to explore the diversity of fishes, distribution patterns, abundance, threat, and habitat status in the upper, middle, and lower stretch of river Gomti, a tributary of river Ganga. Altogether 56 fish species belonging to 20 families and 42 genera were collected from various sampling sites. Of the 56 species, five belong to the ‘endangered’ (EN) category and 11 belong to the vulnerable (VU) category. Six major categories of habitat were identified and pattern of fish assemblage and dominant genera in each habitat studied. Considerable differences were observed in the fish species richness and relative abundance (RA) of the species in the different sampling sites of river Gomti. Shannon–Wiener biodiversity index has been calculated for the fishes indicating considerable variation (p < 0.05) across the river. Apart from Indian Major Carps (Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala), Chitala chitala, Notopterus notopterus, Ompok pabda, O. bimaculatus, Labeo bata, L. calbasu, Cirrhinus reba, Channa marulius, Bagarius bagarius, and Clupisoma garua were the important species. All the species have been reported for the first time in this river. Indiscriminate catch, poisoning, using of fine mesh sized nets, dumping of sewage, siltation, water abstraction, changing land use pattern, decreased water discharge, and exotic species threaten the fish diversity. Urgent need exists for taking up research on the priority fish species and their habitat. Restoration measures have been proposed based on ecosystem scale approach for fish biodiversity conservation.     

EFFLUENT IRRIGATION OF PARA GRASS: WATER,NITROGEN, AND BIOMASS BUDGETS1

Para grass, irrigated with secondary domestic sewage effluent, showed excellent response for disposal of large amounts of water, effective nitrogen removal, and high production of excellent fodder. This grass is found throughout the tropics and parts of the subtropics. It endures flooding and forms dense, easily maintained stands. This is the first time its use has been reported for effluent irrigation. Water, nitrogen, and biomass budgets over a 17-month period were measured in eight percolate style lysimeters. Under irrigation rates as great as 98 mm/day, five days/week, evapo-transpiration averaged 4.6 mm/day. With nitrogen applications of 130 to 2,600 kg/ha/yr, ≥ 79 percent of applied nitrogen was harvested in the grass; 3 percent percolated; and ≤ 28 percent was denitrified. With the highest effluent irrigation rates, nitrate-nitrogen levels remained below the 10 mg/L maximum recommended for potable water. Crop productivity for full effluent treatments averaged 110 t/ha/yr, dry weight. Maximum calculated crude protein content was 13 percent. No nitrate-nitrogen level in the forage exceeded 0.1 percent.     

UASB反应器处理天然气厂检修废水的负荷变化试验研究

本文以某天然气净化厂检修废水为研究对象，采用上流式厌氧污泥床（UASB）反应器对该废水进行处理。当进水COD浓度已达最大时，小范围改变进水有机负荷，观察出水VFA、pH、COD及产气量的变化情况，研究负荷变化对该反应器的影响，最终确定反应器能承受的最适负荷。     

Monitoring of natural and synthetic hormones in a polluted river

Natural (estradiol, estrone, testosterone, estriol) and synthetic hormones (ethinylestradiol) are constantly excreted into the environment from human and animal sources but little is known of their transport. The purpose of this study was to determine how far along a 100 km river course that hormones could be detected after contamination with sewage effluent or fishpond effluent. Fourteen sites in the Lower Jordan River drainage were sampled (two sites above the sewage effluent contamination, eight sites below the contamination and four tributaries) before and after the dry season of 2002 (Spring and Fall). Samples were tested for testosterone, estrogen (estrone and estradiol combined), estriol, ethinylestradiol, ammonia and fecal coli. It was found that the fecal coli count dropped exponentially (from 250,000 to 60/100 ml3) and the ammonia dropped from 15 to less than 1mg/l over the initial 25 km stretch. Over the same stretch, the hormone values declined by half from their maximum values for testosterone (3.3 ng/l), estriol (8.8 ng/l), ethinylestradiol (6.1 ng/l), and estrogen (4.9 ng/l). From 67 to 100 km mark, testosterone (4.8 ng/l) and estrogen (2.4 ng/l) were still elevated while ethinylestradiol and estriol were >or=1.5 ng/l. The high level of testosterone and estrogen between 67 and 100 km marks was probably due to major discharge from fishponds between 23 and 27 km marks. Levels of ethinylestradiol above 1 ng/l, a level which can affect fish, was seen in 70% (12/16) of the samples tested. The data suggest that hormones in readily measured quantities can be transported considerable distances from the source of pollution.     

Prospects for a self-sustainable sewage treatment system: a case study on full-scale UASB system in India's Yamuna River Basin

The government of India decided to launch a project to implement 16 full-scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactors (with a total capacity of 598,000 m(3)/d) in the Yamuna River basin under its Yamuna Action Plan (YAP). A polishing pond called the Final Polishing Unit (FPU) was utilized for post-treatment. This paper evaluates the sewage treatment efficiency of the combined system of full-scale UASB reactors and polishing ponds under Indian climatic conditions. Results have shown that the effluent from the sewage treatment plants (STPs) investigated failed to comply with applicable discharge standards in terms of BOD, SS, and fecal coliform removal. Therefore, it is proposed that such proper operation and maintenance as removing excess sludge and scum be conducted in order to increase treatment efficiency. Moreover, trained and experienced workers are also required to operate and maintain the systems, along with a scientific approach.