Review of Methods for Assessing the Impact of WWTPs on the Natural Environment

Abstract

Environmental management in facilities such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) allows for the implementation of the Deming cycle, and thus the constant improvement of the mitigation of the environmental impact. The correct diagnosis of the current state of functioning of the WWTPs, the identification of aspects that may have a measurable impact on the environment, and their assessment are of key importance. The article discusses the possible causes of the impact of WWTPs on the natural environment. Among other problems, such issues as energy consumption, noise and the formation of bioaerosols and odor nuisances were taken into account. Different ways of assessing the impact of wastewater treatment plants on the environment were collated, taking into account the need to assess not only the technological process itself but also the buildings during their use. The results of methods for assessing the environmental impact of wastewater treatment plants in selected countries were also compared.

Shining a Light on Wastewater Treatment with Microalgae

“…The biomass of microorganisms produced as a consequence of the biodegradation of contaminants in wastewater is removed by gravity in settling tanks resulting in waste activated sludge and water of improved quality [ 19 ]. The water that has benefitted from primary and secondary treatment will still usually contain residual amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in sufficiently high concentrations to result in ecological damage when discharged to the environment, so tertiary wastewater treatment is required to produce clean water that will not cause the eutrophication of rivers, lakes and oceans [ 21 ].…”

“…A limitation of the activated sludge process is that while it removes the vast majority of organic contaminants, inorganic contaminants such as phosphorus and nitrogen are frequently present in the effluent at concentrations high enough to cause environmental damage/eutrophocation in downstream rivers, lakes and oceans [ 21 ]. Where microalgae are intentionally used to treat water today, it is almost exclusively as a polishing step to remove phosphorus and nitrogen, despite the fact that microalgae are capable of removing both organic and inorganic contaminants [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Implementation to Industry and Municipal Sector the Compact Trickle Bed Bioreactors Technology to Odor and Vocs Removal

“…The emission of odors are also extremely burdensome, including some VOCs, e.g. thiols, sulfides, disulfides, but also bioaerosols contain microorganisms present in wastewater, inorganic compounds such as ammonia and ammonium compounds, hydrogen sulfide emitted by municipal sector (wastewater treatment plants, waste management plants) food processing plants (sugar factories, breweries) agriculture and animal husbandry farms and slaughterhouses of poultry, cattle and pigs [3]. The emission of bioaerosols is dangerous due to the presence of pathogenic microorganisms present in the mentioned industries.…”

“…7-2.5 g/m3 . The reduction of NH3 in the entire concentration range of 0.6-5.5 mg/m 3 was above 99%, and the reduction of H 2 S in the concentration range of 0.1-137 mg/m 3 was also above 99%.…”

Water and Wastewater Treatment: Selected Topics

“…Review of Methods for Assessing the Impact of WWTPs on the Natural Environment B ąk et al [9] reviewed methods of assessing the impact of wastewater treatment plants on the environment. This paper discusses the possible impact of WWTPs on the environment.…”