GREYWATER RECYCLING THROUGH BAMBOO-BASED PURIFICATION SYSTEM

Greywater recycling through a bamboo-based purification system was conducted in one of the areas in the Philippines. The chemical characteristics of greywater, such as BOD, COD, TSS, TDS, pH, nitrate, and phosphorus, before and after treatment by bamboo plants, were measured and compared to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) standards. Results showed that the growth of bamboo had increased in terms of height, weight, and length of roots after the application of greywater. The chemical characteristics of greywater applied to bamboo plants decreased nitrate content from 11.04 mg/L to 4 mg/L, phosphorus from 1.9 ppm to 0.08 ppm, COD from 2465 mg/L to 191.50 mg/L, and TSS from 170 mg/L to 93.08 mg/L. The following chemical characteristics of greywater differed significantly from the DENR standards after application to bamboo plants: Nitrates (p = 0.00), Phosphorus (p = 0.00), TSS (p = 0.00), and Fat content (p = 0.00). Bamboo plants are potential media or materials to use for greywater purification. The chemical characteristics of greywater after application to bamboo plants were significantly improved and met DENR standards.