Review of Wastewater Treatment Technologies for Application in Communities in the Amazonian Varzea

The riverine communities of the Amazon varzea are almost devoid of environmental sanitation. This situation exposes the population to risks of diseases. One of the most serious problems is related to the lack of treatment of human waste and sewage, which causes environmental, aesthetic and health problems. Given these findings, this study is a literature review that aims to evaluate domestic effluents treatment systems that are compatible with the reality of the Amazonian varzea and thus establish a social technology that enables the promotion of basic sanitation for the riverine populations. We surveyed information on the treatment technologies most commonly used in the country, discussing the particularities of each and the limitations of the varzea ecosystems, such as the presence of wetlands and the lack of electricity. From the discussion we concluded that the set septic tank + anaerobic filter and constructed wetlands were more suitable for wastewater treatment in the varzea, because theirs building materials can be adapted to the humidity, do not require electricity and can be installed individually by residents. We recommend further studies on the adaptations of these technologies to meet the regional needs.