Efluentes de banheiros químicos : oportunidades de melhorias regulatórias e gerenciais

Abstract

Chemical toilets (CT) are structures widely used around the world, which require the addition of deodorizing substances used to inhibit microbiological activity in order to minimize bad odors generated by microbial metabolism. Generally, deodorants have highly toxic chemical compounds in their formulation, such as formaldehyde, which has carcinogenic potential. The proper management of effluents from chemical toilets (CTE) has still scarce scientific literature, and in Brazil there is a lack and even absence of effective regulatory mechanisms that regulate the subject. The absence of guidelines that systematize CTE management in the country contributes to the lack of control of this source of liquid waste. In this sense, the present study aimed to determine the physical-chemical and microbiological characterization of the CTE liquid effluent and its impacts on the environment and management, considering the regulation of the CTE generated in the Brazilian southeast region, through data obtained by the sanitation sectors and environmental agencies. To obtain the data, the research used qualitative tools through semi-structured interviews with the actors of the EBQ sector and through data obtained from the academic and technical literature on the subject. Regulatory gaps were identified, mainly in relation to the absence of national public policies that regulate the final disposal of CTE. It was verified the importance of implementing policies that link the environmental licensing to the CTE transport activity, as well as the responsibility of the municipalities regarding the ownership of sanitation services and the elaboration of Municipal Basic Sanitation Plans so that greater control is implemented sector. Additionally, the importance of implementing the Waste Transport Manifest - WTM system and the creation of a sanitary regulation that regulates the operational processes carried out by sanitation companies, with regards to the recipient and final disposal of this type of effluent, is highlighted. Finally, in operational terms, possible practices that can be adopted by municipal STPs were presented and discussed so that the launch of CTE does not negatively impact the operation of the treatment systems.