scholarly journals A Simple Approach to Predicting the Reliability of Small Wastewater Treatment Plants

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2397
Author(s):  
Joshua T. Bunce ◽  
David W. Graham
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Classification Model ◽  
Wastewater Management ◽  
Random Forest Classification ◽  
Sampling Campaign ◽  
Analytical Approaches

The treatment performance of small wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is not well understood, and their ecological impact may be underestimated. Growing evidence suggests they play a critical role in ensuring sustainable wastewater management, meaning they can no longer be neglected. The aim of this study was to provide new data, understanding, and analytical approaches to improve the management of existing small WWTPs. A one-year sampling campaign was performed in the rural UK, and we found the effluent quality from twelve small versus three larger WWTPs was significantly poorer (p < 0.05) across a range of performance parameters. Specifically, mean removal rates at the small plants were 67.3 ± 20.4%, 80 ± 33.9%, and 55.5 ± 30.4% for soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD), total suspended solids (TSS), and NH4-N (± standard deviation), respectively, whereas equivalent rates for larger plants were 73.3 ± 17.6%, 91.7 ± 4.6%, and 92.9 ± 3.7%. A random forest classification model was found to accurately predict the likelihood of smaller WWTPs becoming unreliable. Importantly, when condensed to the three most ‘important’ predictors, the classifier retained accuracy, which may reduce the data requirements for effective WWTP management. Among the important predictors was population equivalence, suggesting the smallest WWTPs may require particularly stringent management. Growing awareness of the need for sustainable wastewater and water resources management makes this new approach both timely and widely relevant.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Bulgarian Wastewater Treatment Plants’ Impact on the Receiving Water Bodies

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 2274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yotova ◽  
Lazarova ◽  
Kudłak ◽  
Zlateva ◽  
Mihaylova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Surface Water Quality ◽  
Classification Model ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations

Deterioration of water quality is a major problem world widely according to many international non-governmental organizations (NGO). As one of the European Union (EU) countries, Bulgaria is also obliged by EU legislation to maintain best practices in assessing surface water quality and the efficiency of wastewater treatment processes. For these reasons studies were undertaken to utilize ecotoxicological (Microtox®, Phytotoxkit FTM, Daphtoxkit FTM), instrumental (to determine pH, electrical conductivity (EC), chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), chlorides, sulphates, Cr, Co, Cu, Cd, Ba, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, Se, Pb), as well as advanced chemometric methods (partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA)) in data evaluation to comprehensively assess wastewater treatment plants' (WWTPs) effluents and surface waters quality around 21 major Bulgarian cities. The PLS-DA classification model for the physicochemical parameters gave excellent discrimination between WWTP effluents and surface waters with 93.65% correct predictions (with significant contribution of EC, TSS, P, N, Cl, Fe, Zn, and Se). The classification model based on ecotoxicological data identifies the plant test endpoints as having a greater impact on the classification model efficiency than bacterial, or crustaceans’ endpoints studied.

scholarly journals Detection of untreated sewage discharges to watercourses using machine learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Hammond ◽  
Michael Suttie ◽  
Vaughan T. Lewis ◽  
Ashley P. Smith ◽  
Andrew C. Singer
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Regulatory Oversight ◽  
Untreated Wastewater ◽  
Untreated Sewage ◽  
Water Companies ◽  
Analytical Approaches ◽  
Sewage Discharges

AbstractMonitoring and regulating discharges of wastewater pollution in water bodies in England is the duty of the Environment Agency. Identification and reporting of pollution events from wastewater treatment plants is the duty of operators. Nevertheless, in 2018, over 400 sewage pollution incidents in England were reported by the public. We present novel pollution event reporting methodologies to identify likely untreated sewage spills from wastewater treatment plants. Daily effluent flow patterns at two wastewater treatment plants were supplemented by operator-reported incidents of untreated sewage discharges. Using machine learning, known spill events served as training data. The probability of correctly classifying a randomly selected pair of ‘spill’ and ‘no-spill’ effluent patterns was above 96%. Of 7160 days without operator-reported spills, 926 were classified as involving a ‘spill’. The analysis also suggests that both wastewater treatment plants made non-compliant discharges of untreated sewage between 2009 and 2020. This proof-of-principle use of machine learning to detect untreated wastewater discharges can help water companies identify malfunctioning treatment plants and inform agencies of unsatisfactory regulatory oversight. Real-time, open access flow and alarm data and analytical approaches will empower professional and citizen scientific scrutiny of the frequency and impact of untreated wastewater discharges, particularly those unreported by operators.

scholarly journals Study on layout optimization of sewage outfalls: a case study of wastewater treatment plants in Xiamen

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cui Wang ◽  
Zhouhua Guo ◽  
Qingsheng Li ◽  
Jing Fang
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Layout Optimization ◽  
Marine Environmental

AbstractIn order to protect the offshore environment and strengthen the comprehensive rectification of sewage outfalls, an evaluation method of regional sewage outfalls by combining the marine numerical simulation and comprehensive evaluation technology was constructed, considering the marine environmental capacity and the ecological impact of sewage discharge from outfalls on the marine eco-environment sensitive areas. Then the layout rationality of each outfall was evaluated and the discharge scale was optimized with a case study of existing sewage outfalls in Xiamen. The results show that, the comprehensive evaluation score of Yundang outfall was 3 points in 2025, evaluated as the outfall with irrational layout. In 2035, the comprehensive evaluation scores of Fenglin and Dalipu outfalls were 3 and 2 points respectively, evaluated as the outfall with irrational discharge scale. It is suggested to control the scale of expansion or increase the reclaimed water reuse rate in Jimei and Gaoqi Wastewater Treatment Plants. This method has enriched the evaluation system for layout optimization of sewage outfalls, providing scientific supports for comprehensive improvement of sewage outfalls and marine environmental management.

Clustering of towns and villages for centralized wastewater treatment

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 85-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassaan A. Abd El Gawad ◽  
J. H. C. Butter
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Wastewater Management ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Master Plan ◽  
Operation Costs ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Centralized Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Number Of Treatment

In 1993 the Governorate of Fayoum completed its master plan for wastewater management. The master plan presents a staged implementation schedule for the development of wastewater facilities for the Governorate, covering needs up to the year 2020. The targets are ambitious: in order to meet sanitary health standards, nearly two million people (or 60% of the total population) living in 70 towns and villages would need to be served with sewerage systems. Providing all these areas with separate wastewater treatment plants would be impractical. The centralization of treatment at a limited number of treatment plants for clusters of towns and villages has advantages in terms of manageability, cost and environmental protection. In the master plan the configuration of these clusters is presented. For that purpose a stepped approach has been developed: an approach in which aspects such as construction and operation costs of the facilities, existing infrastructure, the geography of the governorate, environmental impact, alternative treatment technologies and phasing of implementation have been considered. An important element of the stepped approach is an analytical model with which - from financial point of view - the optimum size of a cluster can be estimated. Variables of the model are sizes of towns and villages, distances and treatment technologies. The output of the model is a set of general design criteria which has been applied to the specific situation in the governorate. The model has contributed to the establishment of the Master Plan for Wastewater: a plan now used by the Fayoum Sanitation Department as a framework to initiate new projects and to direct the activities of other agencies working in the sanitation sector in the governorate.

scholarly journals Improving and upgrading an existing activated sludge with a compact MBBR – disc filters parallel line for municipal wastewater treatment in touristic alpine areas

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 515-527
Author(s):  
L. Desa ◽  
P. Kängsepp ◽  
L. Quadri ◽  
G. Bellotti ◽  
K. Sørensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Parallel Line ◽  
Ammonium Nitrogen ◽  
Biofilm Reactor ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Yearly Average

Abstract Many wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in touristic areas struggle to achieve the effluent requirements due to seasonal variations in population. In alpine areas, the climate also determines a low wastewater temperature, which implies long sludge retention time (SRT) needed for the growth of nitrifying biomass in conventional activated sludge (CAS). Moreover, combined sewers generate high flow and dilution. The present study shows how the treatment efficiency of an existing CAS plant with tertiary treatment can be upgraded by adding a compact line in parallel, consisting of a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR)-coagulation-flocculation-disc filtration. This allows the treatment of influent variations in the MBBR and a constant flow supply to the activated sludge. The performance of the new 2-step process was comparable to that of the improved existing one. Regardless significant variations in flow (10,000–25,000 m3/d) and total suspended solids (TSS) (50–300 mg/L after primary treatment) the effluent quality fulfilled the discharge requirements. Based on yearly average effluent data, TSS were 11 mg/L, chemical oxygen demand (COD) 27 mg/L and total phosphorus (TP) 0.8 mg/L. After the upgrade, ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N) dropped from 4.9 mg/L to 1.3 mg/L and the chemical consumption for phosphorus removal was reduced.

scholarly journals Combined Application of UV Photolysis and Ozonation with Biological Aerating Filter in Tertiary Wastewater Treatment

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaoqian Jing ◽  
Shiwei Cao
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Organic Pollutants ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Removal Rate ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Cod Removal ◽  
Secondary Effluent ◽  
Uv Photolysis ◽  
Combined Application

To enhance the biodegradability of residual organic pollutants in secondary effluent of wastewater treatment plants, UV photolysis and ozonation were used in combination as pretreatment before a biological aerating filter (BAF). The results indicated that UV photolysis could not remove much COD (chemical oxygen demand), and the performance of ozonation was better than the former. With UV photolysis combined with ozonation (UV/O3), COD removal was much higher than the sum of that with UV photolysis and ozonation alone, which indicated that UV photolysis could efficiently promote COD removal during ozonation. This pretreatment also improved molecular weight distribution (MWD) and biodegradability greatly. Proportion of organic compounds with molecular weight (MW) <3 kDalton was increased from 51.9% to 85.9%. COD removal rates with BAF and O3/BAF were only about 25% and 38%, respectively. When UV/O3oxidation was combined with BAF, the average COD removal rate reached above 61%, which was about 2.5 times of that with BAF alone. With influent COD ranging from 65 to 84 mg/L, the effluent COD was stably in the scope of 23–31 mg/L. The combination of UV/O3oxidation with BAF was quite efficient in organic pollutants removal for tertiary wastewater treatment.

Characterization of screenings from three municipal wastewater treatment plants in the Region Rhône-Alpes

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 525-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Le Hyaric ◽  
J.-P. Canler ◽  
B. Barillon ◽  
P. Naquin ◽  
R. Gourdon
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Production Rates ◽  
Sampling Campaign ◽  
Average Production ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

The objective of this study was to analyze the composition of the screenings sampled from three municipal wastewater treatment plants (wwtp) located in the Region Rhône-Alpes, France. The plants were equipped with multi screening stages with gap sizes ranging from 60 to 3 mm. Waste production flows from each plant were monitored over at least 48 hours in each sampling campaign in order to calculate average production rates. Waste samples of at least 7 kg were collected from each screening stage in each plant at different seasons to evaluate the influence of different parameters on the composition of the waste. An overall 30 samples were thereby collected between May 2007 and February 2008, dried at 80°C for a week, and subsequently hand sorted into 10 fractions of waste materials. Results showed that the average production varied between 0.53 and 3.49 kg (wet mass) per capita per year. The highest production rates were observed during or immediately after rainy weather conditions. The dry matter content ranged between 14.4 and 29.2% of wet mass, and the volatile matter content was between 70.0 and 90.5% of dry mass. The predominant materials in the screenings were found to be sanitary textiles which accounted for 65.2% to 73.6% of dry weight and fines (&lt;20 mm) which accounted for 15.2% to 18.2% of dry weight. These proportions were relatively similar in each plant and each sampling campaign.

scholarly journals Cost of Urban Wastewater Treatment and Ecotaxes: Evidence from Municipalities in Southern Europe

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Encarnación Moral Pajares ◽  
Leticia Gallego Valero ◽  
Isabel Román Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Wastewater Management ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Southern Europe ◽  
Urban Wastewater ◽  
Urban Wastewater Treatment

The principle of cost recovery established by the Water Framework Directive underlines the need for tax rates, which can raise enough revenue to finance the cost of treatments applied to wastewater. The objective of this research is to gain an understanding the different types of charges related to urban wastewater treatment that can be levied by the authorities responsible for this service. This paper also aims to determine whether these taxes contribute to guaranteeing the economic feasibility of the wastewater treatment plants. The proposed methodological approach is applied to 18 municipalities of a province in southern Europe in 2017. The results confirm that in most of these cases, the taxes levied do not guarantee adequate tax revenues to cover the running, maintenance and investment costs of municipal wastewater treatment plants. This situation leads to a lack of financial self-sufficiency in the wastewater management service, meaning that the imbalance between income and expenditure has to be covered by government subsidies. The results of this study will help guide authorities around the world that are in charge of managing urban wastewater treatment services.

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