Heritage Cases

The Barberton IAPS (Integrated Algae Pond System) entails the development of an integrated algae ponds system (IAPS) at the Barberton WWTW with a capacity of 1000m3/day. The capacity of the Barberton WWTW – IAPS will be able to treat effluent from approximately 1300 middle income households or 2000 low income households, based on the Guidelines for Human Settlement Development and Planning. The IAPS is sized and designed to treat domestic effluent of 100m3/d with a COD – 750mg/l. We have assumed at initial five day BOD loading of 375mg/l, for the sizing of the different ponds in the IAPS. The proposed Barberton WWTW – IAPS will treat effluent diverted from the existing 400mm diameter outfall sewer located near the Barberton WWTW to the proposed IAPS site adjacent the existing works. The same effluent catchments served by the existing WWTW will be served by the Barberton WWTW – IAPS, although the treatment capacity will be significantly smaller. The various components of the IAPS are designed to treat the domestic effluent to the general standard prescribed by the Department of Water Affairs. The IAPS will comprise of the following components: • Construction of the inlet works (screen & degrit channels); • Construction of an anaerobic digester; • Construction of facultative pond; • Construction of high rate algal ponds; • Construction of algal settling pond; • Construction of a clarifier • Construction of a chlorination tank • Construction of a sludge drying bed; • Lining of all ponds; and • Fencing of the site. The Barberton WWTW - IAPS is funded by the Department of Science and Technology and the Water Research Commission, as an alternative for rural municipalities to treat domestic waste water effluent.