5.6 How to determine the area requirements for the vermicomposting process - Humanitarian Sanitation Hub

5.6 How to determine the area requirements for the vermicomposting process


The required can be estimated by applying the following formula:



Where,

ParameterDescriptionUnit
AArea windrowm2
QWQuantity of wormskg
WLWorm loadingkgWORMS/m2

Exercise


What is the required area if the optimal loading rate is 2 kg/m² per day?


Solution:



What are further area requirements?


Additional storage space may be required, depending on the intended use of the compost. Off-season storage may be necessary if the finished compost is only used during the growing season.

Moreover, access roads, turnaround space, and a wash area are required. If the site runoff and the leachate from the aeration system cannot be returned to the treatment plant, then a runoff collection pond must be included. Most composting operations also have a buffer zone around the site to control the odour.

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