Guidelines and manuals
2024 • Vermifilter Knowledge Hub Vermifilter
This website provides a practical guidance for the design and construction of a vermifiltration system to treat wastewater for surface irrigation of crops, pasture or trees. This system is a low-cost, sustainable wastewater treatment solution designed for households and communities. It uses earthworms and natural media to treat domestic wastewater, producing nutrient-rich water for surface irrigation and humus for soil conditioning. This off-grid system incorporates modular designs for primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment, making it adaptable to various wastewater volumes and site conditions. The website includes practical videos and a glossary. It can be used by sanitation practitioners, engineers, homeowners and local communities.
Recovered Materials & Products
Soil conditioner
Water
Waste Streams
Wastewater
Confirmed countries
Germany
Whats is this tool intended for?
The tool is intended to assist sanitation practitioners, engineers, homeowners and local communities in the design, construction and operation of an off-grid vermifilter system.
How does this tool work?
A vermifilter system includes:
- Primary Treatment (Vermidigester): solids such as faeces and toilet paper are retained and decomposed by earthworms. Liquid effluent is filtered through a media substrate and exits to secondary treatment.
- Secondary Treatment (Vermifilters): effluent is trickled through media (e.g., pine bark, sawdust), filtering out fine solids. Worms and microorganisms remove pathogens and organic matter.
- Tertiary Treatment: further polishing of effluent to meet surface irrigation standards.
- Pump-out System: treated water is pumped or gravity-fed to irrigation fields for crops, pasture, or trees. The system is powered by solar panels and batteries, making it suitable for off-grid applications.
Who might use this tool?
Sanitation practitioners, engineers, community organizations, homeowners.
What stages of a process can this tool support?
- Planning and designing a vermifilter system
- Implementing an off-grid vermifilter system for subsurface irrigation
What skills, capabilities and resources are required to use this tool?
- Knowledge of local sanitation issues
- Engineering expertise for construction and design
Where can this tool be used?
This type of system is suitable for rural and peri-urban areas, households with limited access to centralized wastewater treatment, and communities seeking low-cost, off-grid sanitation solutions.
Get the Tool
The guidance is available online and freely accessible at the link below
https://www.vermifilter.com/home
Technologies
Vermicomposting
Themes
Design
Technologies
Operation and maintenance
Irrigation