From Centralized to Decentralized: a Comparative Analysis of Six Decentralized Domestic Wastewater Treatment Technologies

With the growing urban population and water requirement, the need for decentralized wastewater treatment to complement centralized systems is imminent. This paper reviews six decentralized domestic wastewater treatment technologies and evaluates them with efficiency, cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, and applicability. RAF-HRBC and GDMBR technologies are best suited for urban areas since their high efficiency and small footprint. In contrast, artificial wetlands are more suitable for rural environments due to the large amount of land they require. Despite the promise of these technologies, most of them are unable to meet drinking water standards, suggesting that they still need to be supplemented with other treatment methods to achieve potable water quality.