scholarly journals Fate and Removal of Pharmaceuticals and Illegal Drugs Present in Drinking Water and Wastewater

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Szymonik ◽  
Joanna Lach ◽  
Krystyna Malińska
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Diclofenac Sodium ◽  
Clofibric Acid ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Illegal Drugs

Abstract Rapid development of pharmaceutical industry, and thus widespread availability of different types of therapeutical and increased intake of pharmaceuticals, results in elevated concentrations of pharmaceuticals in municipal wastewater subjected to treatment in wastewater treatment plants. Pharmaceuticals present in raw wastewater discharged from hospitals, households, veterinary and health care clinics eventually end up in wastewater treatment plants. Commonly applied methods for treating wastewater do not allow complete removal of these contaminants. As a consequence, pharmaceuticals still present in treated wastewater are introduced to water environment. The most frequently identified pharmaceuticals in surface water belong to the following groups: non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, beta-blockers, estrogens and lipid regulators. The most difficult is removal of diclofenac, clofibric acid and carbamazepine as these substances show low biodegradability. Diclofenac can be removed in the process of wastewater treatment by 40%, carbamazepine by 10%, and clofibric acid from 26 to 50%. The presence of diclofenac sodium in the rivers in Poland was confirmed and the concentrations were following: 380 ng/dm3 (the Warta river), 470 ng/dm3 (the Odra river), 140 ng/dm3 (the Vistula river). Naproxene was found in the Warta river at the concentration of 100 ng/dm3. The presence of pharmaceuticals in surface water can be toxic to aqueous microorganisms and fish. Recent studies confirmed also the presence of pharmaceuticals in drinking water. This is considered as a problem especially in urban agglomerations such as Berlin or large cities in Spain and China. The studies showed that pharmaceuticals were also identified in the samples taken from the Polish rivers and drinking water. The presence of naproxene and diclofenac at the concentrations of 13 and 4 ng/dm3 was identified in drinking water sampled from water intakes in Poznan. Surface water and drinking water showed also the presence of illegal drugs.

scholarly journals The role of wastewater treatment plants in surface water contamination by plastic pollutants

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 00054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bozena Mrowiec
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Contamination ◽  
Membrane Filtration ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Municipal Sewage ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Surface Water Contamination

The aim of this paper was to review the literature data regarding the physico-chemical characteristic of plastic pollutants discharged with municipal sewage, the practical possibility of removing microplastic particles from wastewater during different treatment steps in WWTPs and the problem of surface water contamination within them. Microplastics (the size range of 1 nm to < 5 mm), have been recognized as an emerging threat, as well as an ecotoxicological and ecological risk for water ecosystems. Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are mentioned as the main point sources of microplastics in an aquatic environment. Microplastic particles can be effectively removed in the primary treatment zones via solids skimming and sludge settling processes. Different tertiary treatment processes such as: gravity sand filtration, discfilter, air flotation and membrane filtration provide substantial additional removal of microplastics, and the efficiency of wastewater treatment process can be at a removal level of 99.9%. Nevertheless, given the large volumes of effluent constantly discharged to receivers, even tertiary level WWTPs may constitute a considerable source of microplastics in the surface water.

scholarly journals Bio-Methanol Production Using Treated Domestic Wastewater with Mixed Methanotroph Species and Anaerobic Digester Biogas

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1414 ◽  
Author(s):  
I-Tae Kim ◽  
Young-Seok Yoo ◽  
Young-Han Yoon ◽  
Ye-Eun Lee ◽  
Jun-Ho Jo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Culture Solution ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Mineral Salts ◽  
Methanol Production ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants

The development of cost-effective methods, which generate minimal chemical wastewater, for methanol production is an important research goal. In this study, treated wastewater (TWW) was utilized as a culture solution for methanol production by mixed methanotroph species as an alternative to media prepared from commercial or chemical agents, e.g., nitrate mineral salts medium. Furthermore, a realistic alternative for producing methanol in wastewater treatment plants using biogas from anaerobic digestion was proposed. By culturing mixed methanotroph species with nitrate and phosphate-supplemented TWW in municipal wastewater treatment plants, this study demonstrates, for the first time, the application of biogas generated from the sludge digester of municipal wastewater treatment plants. NaCl alone inhibited methanol dehydrogenase and the addition of 40 mM formate as an electron donor increased methanol production to 6.35 mM. These results confirmed that this practical energy production method could enable cost-effective methanol production. As such, methanol produced in wastewater treatment plants can be used as an eco-friendly energy and carbon source for biological denitrification, which can be an alternative to reducing the expenses required for the waste water treatment process.

Occurrence and fate of relevant substances in wastewater treatment plants regarding Water Framework Directive and future legislations

2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 1179-1189 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Martin Ruel ◽  
J.-M. Choubert ◽  
H. Budzinski ◽  
C. Miège ◽  
M. Esperanza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Conventional Activated Sludge ◽  
Treatment Processes

The next challenge of wastewater treatment is to reliably remove micropollutants at the microgram per litre range. During the present work more than 100 substances were analysed through on-site mass balances over 19 municipal wastewater treatment lines. The most relevant substances according to their occurrence in raw wastewater, in treated wastewater and in sludge were identified, and their fate in wastewater treatment processes was assessed. About half of priority substances of WFD were found at concentrations higher than 0.1 μg/L in wastewater. For 26 substances, potential non-compliance with Environmental Quality Standard of Water Framework Directive has been identified in treated wastewater, depending on river flow. Main concerns are for Cd, DEHP, diuron, alkylphenols, and chloroform. Emerging substances of particular concern are by-products, organic chemicals (e.g. triclosan, benzothiazole) and pharmaceuticals (e.g. ketoprofen, diclofenac, sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine). About 80% of the load of micropollutants was removed by conventional activated sludge plants, but about two-thirds of removed substances were mainly transferred to sludge.

Phycoremediation of tertiary municipal wastewater: a new insight of filamentous algae coculture in Nordic country

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Li ◽  
Ethan Wood ◽  
Gergely Kosa ◽  
Bushra Muzamil ◽  
Christian Vogelsang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Nordic Country ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Ph Control ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Filamentous Algae ◽  
Algae Biomass ◽  
Pilot Tests

Abstract This study demonstrated that the application of filamentous co-culture could be a promising supplementary approach to further purify municipal tertiary wastewater in Nordic country. Initial screening of 25 algae strains across multiple genera revealed that Spirogyra sp. and Klebsormidium sp. were suitable for use as a coculture for phycoremediation of the tertiary effluent from a wastewater treatment plant, and this result was validated in three consecutive outdoor pilot tests at 10–15 oC. In the first two batches of pilot tests, the total prosperous and ammonium were depleted close to zero in 24 hours, while the pH in the wastewater increased from 7 to 9. In the 3rd batch, CO2 was thereby added for pH control. Macronutrients (N and P) were successfully removed from the treated wastewater. The total algae biomass increased 2 to 3 times over 7 days with average algae productivity of 1.68 g m2 d− 1. Meanwhile, the produced algae biomass accumulated notable mineral elements (Ca, Mg, K, Fe and Al) and some heavy metals at levels of g kg− 1 and mg kg− 1, respectively. In light of circular economy concept, the produced biomass could be used for different valorizations based on the analytical analysis. This study provides a new insight of phycoremediation for further purification of municipal treated wastewater, by effectively using filamentous algae coculture. Given a great potential for further optimization and improvement, this proof of concept will benefit to the green transition of wastewater treatment plants in Nordic country.

scholarly journals Analysis of the investment costs in municipal wastewater treatment plants in Cundinamarca

DYNA ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 82 (192) ◽  
pp. 230-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Pablo Rodríguez Miranda ◽  
César Augusto García-Ubaque ◽  
Juan Carlos Penagos Londoño
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Treatment Level ◽  
Municipal Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Process Data ◽  
Scale Elasticity

Some of the most significant aspects in the selection of wastewater treatment plants are the investment costs, since they cross-linkthe treatment level, the quality of the raw wastewater, the design flow and the purpose of the treated wastewater. Through a multivariable exponential regression analysis, data from 51 projects of new treatment plants was analyzed, and from that process, data of cost scale elasticity was obtained, in slow growth, in comparison to the design flow for each of the treatment technologies analyzed.

scholarly journals Non-Steroid Anti-Infflamatory Drugs in Municipal Wastewater and Surface Waters/ Niesteroidowe Leki Przeciwzaplane W Ściekach Mieskich I Wodach Powierzchniowych

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 63-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewelina Płuciennik-Koropczuk
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Drinking Waters ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Prescription Medicines

Abstract Increased production and consumption of drugs influences the pollution pharmaceuticals. Recent years have seen a significant increase in the consumption of non-prescription medicines, among which, are a large group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Research conducted in Poland and abroad showed the presence of NSAIDs, both in treated wastewater in surface waters and drinking waters. One of the most frequently detected drugs in the environment is diclofenac, belongs to NSAID. Its concentration in surface waters range from 9 to 3363 ng/L. Traditional wastewater treatment plants are not specialized enough in removing the pharmaceuticals and their metabolites, and with purified wastewater are introduced into surface waters. Diclofenac concentrations in treated wastewater range from 0.29 to 2.5 μg/L, the average removal efficiency is about 40%.

scholarly journals Impact of informal settlements and wastewater treatment plants on helminth egg contamination of urban rivers and risks associated with exposure

2020 ◽  
Vol 192 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Dennis Amoah ◽  
Sheena Kumari ◽  
Poovendhree Reddy ◽  
Thor Axel Stenström ◽  
Faizal Bux
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
World Health ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Urban Rivers ◽  
Helminth Eggs ◽  
Natural Factors ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe quality of surface water could be influenced by both anthropogenic and natural factors. This study was designed to determine the impact of informal settlement and wastewater treatment plants on helminth egg contamination of urban rivers and the risks associated with everyday use. We also ascertained the accumulation of these eggs in the river sediments. The study was carried out in two rivers in the eThekwini Municipality of South Africa. Grab samples were taken at different points over a 10-month period. Ascaris spp., hookworm, Toxocara spp., Trichuris spp. and Taenia spp. were the helminth eggs detected in both the water column and sediments, with mean Ascaris spp. eggs of 0–6.3 (± 5.1)/L in the water and 0–6.8 (± 5.2)/kg in sediment samples. The helminth egg concentrations showed seasonal variation, probably due to changes in infection levels of the populations or natural factors, such as rainfall. The informal settlements had a greater impact than treated wastewater. For every 10,000 recreational users of the rivers 19 to 58 may be infected under undisturbed conditions, increasing to 29–88 individuals when the riverbed is disturbed. The risk from agricultural use of the rivers was above the tolerable risk values applicable for wastewater reuse, recommended by the World Health Organization. This calls for a re-evaluation of the policies governing surface water quality assessment, where the inclusion of helminth eggs and sediment monitoring will be critical.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Fluoroquinolones and Sulfonamides Resistance Genes in Wastewater and Sludge at Different Stages of Wastewater Treatment: A Preliminary Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 5816
Author(s):  
Damian Rolbiecki ◽  
Monika Harnisz ◽  
Ewa Korzeniewska ◽  
Łukasz Jałowiecki ◽  
Grażyna Płaza
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Standard Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Wastewater Samples

This study identified differences in the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) between wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) processing different proportions of hospital and municipal wastewater as well as various types of industrial wastewater. The influence of treated effluents discharged from WWTPs on the receiving water bodies (rivers) was examined. Genomic DNA was isolated from environmental samples (river water, wastewater and sewage sludge). The presence of genes encoding resistance to sulfonamides (sul1, sul2) and fluoroquinolones (qepA, aac(6′)-Ib-cr) was determined by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The effect of the sampling season (summer – June, fall – November) was analyzed. Treated wastewater and sewage sludge were significant reservoirs of antibiotic resistance and contained all of the examined ARGs. All wastewater samples contained sul1 and aac(6′)-lb-cr genes, while the qepA and sul2 genes occurred less frequently. These observations suggest that the prevalence of ARGs is determined by the type of processed wastewater. The Warmia and Mazury WWTP was characterized by higher levels of the sul2 gene, which could be attributed to the fact that this WWTP processes agricultural sewage containing animal waste. However, hospital wastewater appears to be the main source of the sul1 gene. The results of this study indicate that WWTPs are significant sources of ARGs, contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance in rivers receiving processed wastewater.

scholarly journals Analysis of eutrophication potential of municipal wastewater

2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (9) ◽  
pp. 1994-2003
Author(s):  
M. Preisner ◽  
E. Neverova-Dziopak ◽  
Z. Kowalewski
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
The United States ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Nutrient Loads ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Eutrophication Potential ◽  
Wastewater Quality ◽  
Treatment Technologies

Abstract One of the main factors of the increased eutrophication level of surface waters is the high anthropogenic loads of biogenic substances discharged into water bodies. Municipal wastewaters, containing large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus play one of the key roles in the acceleration of eutrophication intensity. The main direction in the prevention of eutrophication caused by wastewater discharge has become the reduction of nutrient loads introduced to wastewater receivers in accordance with strict legal requirements achievable only in advanced technologies. The treated wastewater quality standards are actually developed for total nitrogen and total phosphorus content, disregarding the fact that eutrophication potential of treated wastewater is determined by the content of non-organic nutrient forms directly bioavailable for water vegetation. That is why the currently used energy-consuming and expensive technologies do not always guarantee effective protection against eutrophication and its consequences. The goal of the study was to analyze the most widely used wastewater treatment technologies for enhanced biological nutrients removal in treated wastewater eutrophication potential. For this purpose, an analysis of the operation of 18 wastewater treatment plants based on different technologies in Finland, Canada, Poland, Russia and the United States was realized. The analysis concluded that the eutrophication potential of treated wastewater to a large extent is conditioned by the applied technology. The results of the research concluded that the eutrophication potential can serve an important criterion for decision-making regarding the proper selection of wastewater treatment technologies aimed at eutrophication mitigation.

scholarly journals Performance of retention soil filters for the reduction of hygienically-relevant microorganisms in combined sewage overflow and treated wastewater

2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Zacharias ◽  
S. M. Essert ◽  
A. F. Brunsch ◽  
E. Christoffels ◽  
T. Kistemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Surface Water Bodies

Abstract Environmental quality standards for surface waters have been significantly expanded through recent amendments to German regulations. Limit values are only established for applicable regulations if the water is indicated for certain uses, e.g. abstraction of irrigation water. Nevertheless, surface water bodies are often used for hygiene-sensitive purposes. In the course of climate change, stronger precipitation events will occur, which may lead to more frequent loading and discharge of combined sewer overflow (CSO) into surface water bodies. Retention soil filters (RSFs) are attracting attention as an extensive treatment technology for CSO and additional wastewater treatment. This study examined large-scale RSFs for CSO treatment, as well as the effectiveness of RSFs as a fourth purification stage. An RSF test facility was established at a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), consisting three semi-technical RSFs that were fed exclusively with treated water from the WWTP. The reduction of microorganisms mostly occurred within the first centimeters of the RSFs. For most hygienic-microbiological parameters, a 1–2 log unit reduction could be detected in addition to the reduction within the WWTP. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were reduced to the same extent. Investigation of the large-scale RSFs showed that a flow rate reduced by half corresponded to better reduction performances.

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