2.4.2 Anaerobic Lagoon - Humanitarian Sanitation Hub

2.4.2 Anaerobic Lagoon

Left: Cross-section View of Covered Anaerobic Lagoon, Right: Covered Anaerobic Lagoon for Treatment of Faecal Sludge in Refugee Camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (Source: UPM)

A covered anaerobic lagoon is an excavated rectangular pool lined with HDPE at the bottom to prevent infiltration and contamination of the groundwater and covered on the top to capture the biogas. The anaerobic lagoon has enough capacity to allow for settling solid particles and digestion of organic materials. Screened faecal sludge or wastewater enters the lagoon near the bottom at the shorter side of the lagoon and mixes with the active microbial population in the sludge layer. The discharge point is on the opposite side of the slightly sloped lagoon from the influent. The effluent from anaerobic lagoons is not suitable for direct discharge and would require a post-treatment. A cover captures the methane gas produced in the process for further use or is flared, which is required for climate protection.

The table presented below outlines the pros and cons of anaerobic lagoons.


ProsCons
Low operating costs. Simple operationRequires large area. Only feasible where land is available and cheap
Effective for rapid stabilizationExpert design and skilled labour are required
Low sludge productionLow reduction of pathogens and nutrients
Capable of withstanding organic and hydraulic shock loadsEffluent and sludge require further treatment and/or appropriate discharge
Capturing and utilizing biogas can lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissionsTreatment performance is temperature-dependent
Renewable energy source if captured and utilized 
Adopted from: (SANIMAS, 2005)
Pros & Cons of Anaerobic Lagoon

For further information, please click on the Materials tab at the top of the page.

Further Reading:

  • Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet Anaerobic Lagoons (Link)
  • Faecal Sludge Management for Disaster Relief p. 71 (Link)
  • Biogas Lagoons (Link)
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