Engineers Assess Aquaculture Systems for Wastewater Treatment

The status of aquaculture technologies for wastewater treatment are explored, and an engineering assessment is made of the feasibility for their routine use in municipal wastewater treatment. The detailed assessments were conducted by six internationally recognized engineers and were based on presentations at a September 1979 aquaculture seminar at the University of California at Davis. Systems included wetlands, aquatic plants, fish culture and combinations of aquatic components. Most of the systems considered produce high quality effluent with low cost and energy inputs. However, in most cases further development and/or demonstration will be needed before concepts are ready for routine use. Part one of a two part article.