High-Rate Oxidation Ponds: The Israeli Experience

The use of high rate oxidation ponds as means for wastewater reclamation and algal biomass production was extensively studied in Israel. The work started from laboratory scale facilities through outdoor miniponds, pilot plant ponds, field scale ponds and a full scale pond. The research involved optimal operational design of high rate oxidation ponds for various locations and constraints, harvesting of the algal biomass and feeding and toxicological studies of the biomass produced. We have found that the system is reliable and efficient as biological wastewater treatment system and could be very valuable if operated according to environmental and climatic constraints of the given area it is designed for.