Nutrient removal in the river basin of the Ruhr - a German case study

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Bode ◽  
R. Klopp
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Nutrient Load ◽  
Water Production ◽  
Stormwater Treatment ◽  
Drinking Water Production

In the catchment area of the Ruhr, restructuring and upgrading measures in the domain of wastewater and stormwater treatment have been under way since 1990 to successively implement the currently applicable legal requirements for nutrient removal. With 2.1 million inhabitants and a design capacity of 3.7 million population equivalents (PE), it is expected that approximately DM 2 billion still have to be invested from 2000 onward. With this it will be possible to further cut the nutrient load in the Ruhr River, that has been declining consistently since the 1970s: by about 25% for Ntotal and about 10% for Ptotal. The anticipated decrease in ammonia-nitrogen in winter is particularly important for drinking water production from the river water (bank filtration). Whether and to what an extent the expected decline in phosphorus concentrations will curb eutrophication in the Ruhr with its several impounded stretches remains to be seen. Further nutrient load reductions cannot be achieved by sewage treatment-related measures. Load balances underline the adverse impact of diffuse or non-point sources, in particular, for nitrogen. Some potential to further improve the situation is seen in minimizing the nutrient releases from agricultural practices.

scholarly journals Origin, Fate and Control of Pharmaceuticals in the Urban Water Cycle: A Case Study

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Hofman-Caris ◽  
Thomas ter Laak ◽  
Hans Huiting ◽  
Harry Tolkamp ◽  
Ad de Man ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Transformation Products ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Water Production ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Drinking Water Production

The aquatic environment and drinking water production are under increasing pressure from the presence of pharmaceuticals and their transformation products in surface waters. Demographic developments and climate change result in increasing environmental concentrations, deeming abatement measures necessary. Here, we report on an extensive case study around the river Meuse and its tributaries in the south of The Netherlands. For the first time, concentrations in the tributaries were measured and their apportionment to a drinking water intake downstream were calculated and measured. Large variations, depending on the river discharge were observed. At low discharge, total concentrations up to 40 μg/L were detected, with individual pharmaceuticals exceeding thresholds of toxicological concern and ecological water-quality standards. Several abatement options, like reorganization of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and additional treatment of wastewater or drinking water were evaluated. Abatement at all WWTPs would result in a good chemical and ecological status in the rivers as required by the European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive. Considering long implementation periods and high investment costs, we recommend prioritizing additional treatment at the WWTPs with a high contribution to the environment. If drinking water quality is at risk, temporary treatment solutions in drinking water production can be considered. Pilot plant research proved that ultraviolet (UV) oxidation is a suitable solution for drinking water and wastewater treatment, the latter preferably in combination with effluent organic matter removal. In this way >95% of removal of pharmaceuticals and their transformation products can be achieved, both in drinking water and in wastewater. Application of UV/H2O2, preceded by humic acid removal by ion exchange, will cost about €0.23/m3 treated water.

Sewage-treatment under substantial load variations in winter tourism areas – a full case study

2004 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 147-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Winkler ◽  
N. Natsché ◽  
T. Gamperer ◽  
M. Dum
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge Process ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Winter Tourism ◽  
Load Variations ◽  
Sudden Load

The sewage-load variations in winter tourism areas are characterized by sudden increases - in the ange of a factor two to three - within only a few days at the start and the end of the tourist season, especially at Christmas. The sudden load increases occur during periods of low wastewater temperatures, which is an additional demanding factor with respect to nitrogen removal. A full case study was carried out at WWTP Saalfelden, which is located near one of Austria's largest skiing resorts. The plant is designed for 80,000 PE and built according to the HYBRID®-concept, which is a special two stage activated sludge process for extensive nutrient removal.

Enhanced particle removal in drinking water treatment plants – case studies

2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 135-142
Author(s):  
P. Lipp ◽  
G. Baldauf
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Particle Removal ◽  
Water Production ◽  
Water Treatment Plants ◽  
Drinking Water Production

Measurements of parasites in surface waters in Germany showed that their presence is widely spread. Concentrations may reach values up to a maximum of 50 cysts per 100 l. Normally raw waters used for drinking water production show much lower values. In order to ensure sufficient parasite removal in drinking water treatment plants an enhancement of particle removal is required. For filtration processes parameters influencing particle removal are filter media, filtration velocity, flocculant dosage, preozonationand filter back wash. Moderate filtration conditions show best results. Three case studies show that preozonation, optimized energy input and use of flocculants improve particle removal. One case study shows results of the first ultrafiltration plant in Germany treating reservoir and spring water for drinking water production.

Ultrafiltration membranes for drinking-water production from low-quality surface water: A case study in Spain

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Rojas-Serrano ◽  
Rocio Alvarez-Arroyo ◽  
Jorge I. Perez ◽  
Fidel Plaza ◽  
Gloria Garralon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Production ◽  
Ultrafiltration Membranes ◽  
Drinking Water Production ◽  
Quality Surface

Coagulation/flocculation/ultrafiltration for natural organic matter removal in drinking water production

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 215-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.R. Costa ◽  
M.N. de Pinho
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Natural Organic Matter ◽  
Membrane Fouling ◽  
Membrane Filtration ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Water Production ◽  
Cellulose Acetate Membranes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Drinking Water Production

Membrane fouling by natural organic matter (NOM), namely by humic substances (HS), is a major problem in water treatment for drinking water production using membrane processes. Membrane fouling is dependent on membrane morphology like pore size and on water characteristics namely NOM nature. This work addresses the evaluation of the efficiency of ultrafiltration (UF) and Coagulation/Flocculation/UF performance in terms of permeation fluxes and HS removal, of the water from Tagus River (Valada). The operation of coagulation with chitosan was evaluated as a pretreatment for minimization of membrane fouling. UF experiments were carried out in flat cells of 13.2×10−4 m2 of membrane surface area and at transmembrane pressures from 1 to 4 bar. Five cellulose acetate membranes were laboratory made to cover a wide range of molecular weight cut-off (MWCO): 2,300, 11,000, 28,000, 60,000 and 75,000 Da. Severe fouling is observed for the membranes with the highest cut-off. In the permeation experiments of raw water, coagulation prior to membrane filtration led to a significant improvement of the permeation performance of the membranes with the highest MWCO due to the particles and colloidal matter removal.

Examples for the Upgrading of Existing Activated Sludge Plants for Nutrient Removal

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 113-121
Author(s):  
W. Maier
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
West Germany ◽  
Sewage Treatment Plants ◽  
Effluent Standards ◽  
Near Future

In view of the new effluent standards in West Germany, including nitrification and phosphorus elimination, many of the existing sewage treatment plants will have to be rebuilt or expanded. Another demand which will have to be dealt with in the near future is denitrification. Under consideration of the large BOD5-loads which were taken into account when designing the plants, many of them nitrify during the summer or can be easily converted to operate with nitrification. Principles for planning the upgrading of such plants have been laid down in order to achieve the required effluent concentrations. The application of these principles is demonstrated with examples of upgraded plants.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document