The performance of three systems for the post treatment of digested sewage is discussed. The investigated systems were wetlands, rock beds and polishing ponds. The objective of the post treatment was to produce a final effluent for irrigation of cultures in semi-arid areas in North-East Brazil. From the obtained data COD, pH, solids, macronutrients, helminths eggs and thermo tolerant coliforms it was concluded that only polishing ponds were compatible with the WHO recommendation for unrestricted irrigation. Effluents from the wetland and rock bed systems, although free from helminths eggs, contained a higher thermo tolerant coliform concentration than that recommended by WHO. The macro and micronutrient concentrations in all three post treatment systems effluents were high enough for the demand of most cultures in the semi-arid region of North-East Brazil .
Domestic sewage; anaerobic treatment; post treatment; water reuse
