Efficiency and design parameters of waste stabilization ponds in north-east Greece

This paper examines three waste stabilization ponds (WSP) systems located in Vamvakofito, N. Skopos and Charopo, in the Prefecture of Serres. The systems were monitored for approximately four years and design assumptions were compared to real time data. After a series of chemical, biological and microbiological analyses, their efficiency at removing SS, BOD5, COD, TN, N-NH4+, N-NO3, TP, FC, TC, inorganic elements and heavy metals from wastewater was also estimated. Temperature and weather conditions were recorded and the suitability of the effluents for irrigation purposes was examined. Equations were derived, correlating the outflow with the inflow and the complete mix first-order reaction rate constant k(20) was calculated for BOD and NOD. The assessment of the ponds' behaviour and performance not only provides information about those specific systems, but also offers guidelines for a future design and construction of WSPs systems at regions with similar geographic characteristics.