Using Slow Sand Filter for Organic Matter and Suspended Solids Removal as Post treatment unit for Wastewater Effluent

The Gaza Strip - Palestine, like any other section of the Mediterranean, has a distinct and substantial water shortage; nevertheless, the problem in this area is more obvious and serious, and it is linked to water quantity and quality. The Gaza Strip's only source of water is groundwater, and agriculture consumes more than 70% of all groundwater extracted. New work has begun to develop sustainable technical and economical solutions to cope with the non-sufficient existing wastewater treatment plant effluents' quality for reuse. The paper evaluated the organic matter and suspended solids removal efficacy of Slow Sand Filter (SSF) designed to treat 350 m3 of the effluent of Rafah Wastewater Treatment Plant (RWWTP) in Gaza Strip- Palestine as tertiary treatment. The research results showed that the SSF designed unit has the potential to removed up to 70% of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), 60% of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and 79% Fecal Coliform (FC). In the same time, the unit has the potential to removed up to 53% of Total Suspended Solids (TSS). Some modification option led to improve the SSF efficiency. The pepper gives recommendations to the relevant local authorities to improve the performance of the plant and speed up the installation of the (UV) unit that will reduce biological pollution.