2.4.2 Anaerobic Lagoon

Biogas Sanitation 2 Digestion Technologies and Types 2.4.2 Anaerobic Lagoon

*Left: Cross-section View of Covered Anaerobic Lagoon, Right: Covered Anaerobic Lagoon for Treatment of Faecal Sludge in Refugee Camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh (Source: UPM)*

A covered anaerobic lagoon is an excavated rectangular pool lined with HDPE at the bottom to prevent infiltration and contamination of the groundwater and covered on the top to capture the biogas. The anaerobic lagoon has enough capacity to allow for settling solid particles and digestion of organic materials. Screened faecal sludge or wastewater enters the lagoon near the bottom at the shorter side of the lagoon and mixes with the active microbial population in the sludge layer. The discharge point is on the opposite side of the slightly sloped lagoon from the influent. The effluent from anaerobic lagoons is not suitable for direct discharge and would require a post-treatment. A cover captures the methane gas produced in the process for further use or is flared, which is required for climate protection.

The table presented below outlines the pros and cons of anaerobic lagoons.

Pros	Cons
Low operating costs. Simple operation	Requires large area. Only feasible where land is available and cheap
Effective for rapid stabilization	Expert design and skilled labour are required
Low sludge production	Low reduction of pathogens and nutrients
Capable of withstanding organic and hydraulic shock loads	Effluent and sludge require further treatment and/or appropriate discharge
Capturing and utilizing biogas can lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions	Treatment performance is temperature-dependent
Renewable energy source if captured and utilized
Adopted from: (SANIMAS, 2005)

Pros & Cons of Anaerobic Lagoon

For further information, please click on the Materials tab at the top of the page.

Further Reading:

Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet Anaerobic Lagoons (Link)
Faecal Sludge Management for Disaster Relief p. 71 (Link)
Biogas Lagoons (Link)

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