Stabilization ponds are the simplest method of wastewater treatment that exists. They consist of shallow excavations surrounded by earth embankments. Generally rectangular or square shaped. Stabilization ponds, also called oxidation ponds are deep reservoirs of between 1 and 3.5 meters and are intended to stabilize the organic matter present in wastewater.
This type of treatment is used extensively in small and rural communities for their flexibility, low cost of investment, operation and maintenance, is an alternative to the conventional wastewater treatment.
The classification of these gaps of treatment depends on factors such as retention time, organic loading per unit area, stabilization process (aerobic, anaerobic or mixed), and depth the lagoon, etc.
Overall gaps can be classified as stabilization ponds if this is the first step of treatment of wastewater, or as oxidation ponds, where the gaps are one after another previous step treatment process.
