CHARACTERIZATION OF WASTES FROM SEPTAGE COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT TRUCKS IN THE FEDERAL DISTRICT, BRAZIL

Abstract In the Federal District of Brazil, the cleaning waste from on-site sanitation facilities is transported by septage trucks to sewage treatment plants (STPs) to be treated in conjunction with sewage. This research aimed to characterize the waste from septage trucks that were discharged in the two STPs in Brasilia, Federal District of Brazil. The methodology included the characterization (sampling and laboratory tests) of waste samples collected from septage trucks that discharged waste at the two STPs in Brasilia, and the collection of information on the origin of this waste and the frequency of cleaning the on-site sanitation units. Great variability was found in the frequency of cleaning cesspools and septic tanks. The cleaning of the on-site sanitation facilities took place daily in some places and monthly in the remaining sites, and eventually, facilities with annual cleaning were reported. The characteristic that had the lowest variation coefficient was the pH. The presence of large concentrations of oils and greases in the residues of the septage trucks is a major inconvenience. The results obtained contribute to the knowledge of the characteristics of waste from septage trucks, its management and proper treatment. Keywords : septage; grease trap waste; septage collection and transport truck; oil and grease. CARACTERIZACAO DOS RESIDUOS DOS CAMINHOES LIMPA-FOSSAS NO DISTRITO FEDERAL, BRASIL Resumo No Distrito Federal, os residuos da limpeza das instalacoes de tratamento descentralizado de esgoto sao transportados por caminhoes limpa-fossas para as estacoes de tratamento de esgoto (ETEs) para serem tratados em conjunto com o esgoto. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo caracterizar os residuos de caminhoes limpa-fossas que descarregaram nas duas ETEs de Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brasil. A metodologia incluiu a caracterizacao (amostragem e exames laboratoriais) de amostras de residuos coletadas dos caminhoes limpa-fossas que descarregaram lodo de fossa nas duas ETEs de Brasilia, e a coleta de informacoes sobre a origem desses residuos e a frequencia de limpeza das unidades de tratamento descentralizado de esgoto. Encontrou-se grande variabilidade nas frequencias de limpeza de fossas e tanques septicos. A limpeza das instalacoes de tratamento descentralizado de esgotos ocorria diariamente em alguns locais e mensalmente nos demais e, eventualmente, foram registradas instalacoes com limpeza anual. O pH foi a caracteristica que apresentou o menor coeficiente de variacao. A presenca de grandes concentracoes de oleos e graxas nos residuos dos caminhoes limpa-fossas e um grande inconveniente. Os resultados obtidos contribuem para o conhecimento das caracteristicas dos residuos de caminhoes limpa-fossas, sua gestao e tratamento adequado. Palavras-chave : lodo de fossas e tanques septicos; residuos de caixas de gordura; caminhoes limpa-fossas; oleos e graxas.