GREYWATER REUSE IN URBAN BUILDINGS: CASE STUDY OF VICTORIA (ES) AND MACAÉ (RJ) - BRAZIL

Abstract

A new generation of buildings are emerging at some Brazilian cities, focusing on better efficiency for renewable resources (energy, water, and materials). Concerning the water conservation techniques, one of the most important practices is the greywater reuse, which must be considered for non-potable reuse as toilets flush water and car wash. This paper presents a new technology for greywater treatment, based on the association of anaerobic baffled reactors, submerged aerated biofilters, tertiary filtration with fibers and disinfection with sodium chlorine. One of the innovative aspects of this system is the simplified sludge management by recycling the aerobic sludge to anaerobic reactor, with thickening and digestion. The main advantages of this proposed design are the compactness, low implantation costs, low energy consumption, operational simplicity, low environmental impact in building area and low sludge production. This paper presents two cases in the Southeast Region from Brazil: a residential building in the city of Vitória (ES) and a hotel in the city of Macaé (RJ).

Key Words: greywater , reuse, water conservation techniques.