UGL Wetlands CASAN, Rest | Sludge Treatment

The Sludge Management Unit (SMU), designed by the company Wetlands in the municipality of Descanso, western Santa Catarina, is an example of a solution for locations where the implementation of sewage collection networks is not feasible. The Wetlands technology (SMU Wetlands) enabled the concept of "wastewater treatment" (static system), in which the concessionaire collects sludge from individual sewage treatment units (septic tanks) and transports it, using "septic tank cleaning" trucks, to the SMU Wetlands. This made decentralized sanitation viable in the municipality of Descanso and surrounding areas, serving a population of over 8,000 inhabitants.

This allowed the concessionaire to meet the universalization goals in the served locations at a cost several times lower than what would be necessary from the implementation of conventional networks and wastewater treatment plants (dynamic system).

The system consists of: (1) screening; (2) equalization tank; (3) wetlands for treatment of the solid fraction; (4) Wetlands for liquid fraction treatment; (5) flow measurement and discharge into a receiving body.

The system offers several benefits:

- treats the solid and liquid fractions of sludge passively, without the use of electricity in the reactors;

- low mechanization (the only electromechanical element is the mixer in the equalization tank);

- no use of chemicals;

- operational simplicity (no daily operator presence at the station);

- low operation and maintenance costs;

- sludge removal cycles of 5 to 10 years;

- durability of the structures;

- landscape harmony with the surroundings and alignment with circular economy and decarbonization concepts.

This solution is especially suitable for sanitation operators who have the obligation to bring sanitation to rural communities and small Brazilian municipalities.

And it can unlock the financial viability matrix in these locations.

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