Beyond Conventional Wastewater Treatment: Integrated Lagoon Biogas System for Tapioca Effluent Management
Purpose: This study examines the wastewater treatment system operated by a tapioca starch manufacturer in Central Lampung, Indonesia, and evaluates whether the treated effluent complies with the national quality standard for tapioca industry wastewater.
Research Methodology: A descriptive case-study approach was used during a one-month field internship. Primary data were obtained through direct observation of the anaerobic, facultative, and aerobic lagoon units, interviews with plant operators, and secondary laboratory test results for pH, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, free cyanide, temperature, turbidity, and total suspended solids for January and February 2025. Results were compared against Regulation of the Minister of Environment Number 5 of 2014.
Results: All seven measured parameters in both months remained below the regulatory ceiling, with biochemical oxygen demand of 38 and 48 mg/L, chemical oxygen demand of 81 and 99 mg/L, and total suspended solids of 71.83 and 44.25 mg/L against limits of 100, 250, and 100 mg/L respectively.
Conclusions: The seven-lagoon biological train, supported by upstream biogas digestion, consistently produces compliant effluent.
Limitations: The study covers only two monthly sampling events at a single facility, restricting statistical generalization.
Contributions: The findings offer a replicable operational benchmark for small and medium tapioca processors seeking low-cost, energy-recovering wastewater management.
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