EFICIÊNCIA DO POLIMENTO QUÍMICO COM PAC E CLORETO FÉRRICO NO TRATAMENTO DE ESGOTO EM LAGOAS DE ESTABILIZAÇÃO

Abstract

Basic sanitation plays a crucial role in public health and environmental protection, with wastewater treatment being one of its most relevant components. Stabilization ponds, widely adopted in Brazil due to their low cost and operational simplicity, present limitations in meeting stricter quality standards, particularly regarding turbidity and the final appearance of the effluent. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of chemical polishing applied after secondary treatment in a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located in Rio Verde, Goiás. Two coagulants commonly used in clarification processes were tested: polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and ferric chloride, seeking to determine which one offered the best technical performance. The analyses included physicochemical parameters such as pH and turbidity, as well as the visual assessment of the treated effluent, enabling objective comparisons between treatments. The findings not only contribute to improving the overall efficiency of the city’s wastewater system but also provide technical insights applicable to other regions with similar treatment structures, promoting more sustainable and effective practices in wastewater management.