Waste Water Treatment Waste Water Treatment GreeceGreece

Project by:Project by:

Pantelis PaschalakisPantelis Paschalakis

Nikos DaskalakisNikos Daskalakis

Waste Water Treatment Waste Water Treatment EuropeEurope• First significant improvements in 1980’sFirst significant improvements in 1980’s• Great changes over the past twenty years.Great changes over the past twenty years.

UWWT Directive

Increased percentage of

people connected to WWT

Decreases in discharges of Eastern European

Countries ( EU – 10)

and accession countries are due to economic recession.

Decline in polluting manufacturing industries

Waste Water Treatment in Northern + Central Waste Water Treatment in Northern + Central EuropeEurope

Nordic Countries

Most of the population connected to the highest levels of

tertiary treatment( Removal of nutrients and organic matter)

Central Europe

More than half of wastewater receivestertiary treatment

Waste Water Treatment in Southern + East EuropeWaste Water Treatment in Southern + East Europe

Southern and Eastern Europe

Only half of the populationis connected to WWT.

Accession Countries

30 to 40% is connected tosecondary or tertiary treatment.

Cause for this difference:Cause for this difference:

Policies to reduce eutrophication and improve bathing water quality were implemented earlier in the northern and central

Than in the southern and eastern countries and in the accession countries

Improved surface water quality, including bathing water quality, with a decrease in the concentrations of orthophosphates , total ammonium and organic matter over the past ten years

Waste Water Treatment Waste Water Treatment directivedirective

• Member States should identify water Member States should identify water bodies as sensitive areas.bodies as sensitive areas.

Results of WWTResults of WWT

• An additional threat to the An additional threat to the environment: Disposal of sewage environment: Disposal of sewage sludge (Treatment plants)sludge (Treatment plants)

• Has to be disposed of: 1)spreading Has to be disposed of: 1)spreading on soils, landfills or 2) incineration. on soils, landfills or 2) incineration.

• Disposal routes can transfer Disposal routes can transfer pollution from water: 1)to soil or 2)air pollution from water: 1)to soil or 2)air

• Take into account in the respective Take into account in the respective policy implementation processespolicy implementation processes

Waste Water Treatment Waste Water Treatment EuropeEurope

Waste Water Treatment Waste Water Treatment GreeceGreece

Environment MinisterEnvironment Minister

H.E. Mr. George H.E. Mr. George SoufliasSouflias

Environment-International Environment-International agreementsagreementsParty to:Party to:

• Antarctic- Environmental ProtocolAntarctic- Environmental Protocol• Antarctic- Marine Living ResourcesAntarctic- Marine Living Resources• Antarctic TreatyAntarctic Treaty• BiodiversityBiodiversity• Climate changeClimate change• Climate change- Kyoto protocolClimate change- Kyoto protocol• DesertificationDesertification• Environmental ModificationEnvironmental Modification• Hazardous WastesHazardous Wastes• Law of the seaLaw of the sea• Marine DumpingMarine Dumping• Ship PollutionShip Pollution• WetlandsWetlands

WWT Research in GreeceWWT Research in Greece

I.I. Experimental and mathematical simulation of Experimental and mathematical simulation of filamentous bulking and foaming in the WWTP of filamentous bulking and foaming in the WWTP of IoanninaIoannina

II.II. Consulting for the operation of the Volos WWTPConsulting for the operation of the Volos WWTP

III.III. Wastewater reuse - Guideline development for Wastewater reuse - Guideline development for pilot artificial recharging of aquifers through pilot artificial recharging of aquifers through direct injection and irrigation, for seawater direct injection and irrigation, for seawater intrusion control within the framework of intrusion control within the framework of integrated and sustainable water managementintegrated and sustainable water management

WWT Research in GreeceWWT Research in Greece

IV.IV. Bulking sludge phenomena in wastewater Bulking sludge phenomena in wastewater treatment plantstreatment plants

V.V. Optimization of flow pattern in nutrient removal Optimization of flow pattern in nutrient removal plants to prevent bulkingplants to prevent bulking

VI.VI. Author Affiliation: Environmental Pollution Author Affiliation: Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Control Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki

GR-54124, GreeceGR-54124, Greece..

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Experimental and mathematical Experimental and mathematical simulation of filamentous bulking simulation of filamentous bulking and foaming in the WWTP of and foaming in the WWTP of IoanninaIoannina

• Laboratory and full scale experimental investigation Laboratory and full scale experimental investigation of filamentous bulking and foaming in activated of filamentous bulking and foaming in activated sludge systems. (Due to M. Pacivella)sludge systems. (Due to M. Pacivella)

• Laboratory simulation and analytical work: Laboratory simulation and analytical work: Engineering Lab of N.T.U.A.Engineering Lab of N.T.U.A.

• Full scale investigation: WWTP, Ioannina city Full scale investigation: WWTP, Ioannina city ( Population : 130,000)( Population : 130,000)

WWTP in Greece facing operational problems due to WWTP in Greece facing operational problems due to excessive bulking and foaming of activated sludgeexcessive bulking and foaming of activated sludge

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Consulting for the operation of the Consulting for the operation of the

Volos WWTPVolos WWTP Scope: Operation optimization of Volos WWTPScope: Operation optimization of Volos WWTP

Objectives:Objectives:

1.1.Determination of the quality characteristics of the Determination of the quality characteristics of the municipal and industrial wastewatermunicipal and industrial wastewater

2.2.Wastewater and sludge characterization for toxicity Wastewater and sludge characterization for toxicity determinations determinations

3.3.Mathematical modeling of the biological treatment Mathematical modeling of the biological treatment for the optimization of the operation of plantfor the optimization of the operation of plant

4.4.Calibration of analytical apparatus Calibration of analytical apparatus 5.5.Intercalibration of analytical methods Intercalibration of analytical methods 6.6.Training of laboratory staff. Training of laboratory staff.

Volos WWTPVolos WWTP

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Wastewater reuse - Guideline Wastewater reuse - Guideline development for pilot artificial development for pilot artificial recharging of aquifers through recharging of aquifers through direct injection and irrigation, for direct injection and irrigation, for seawater intrusion control within seawater intrusion control within the framework of integrated and the framework of integrated and sustainable water managementsustainable water management

• Project aim: Promotion and dissemination Project aim: Promotion and dissemination of wastewater reuse techniquesof wastewater reuse techniques

This project includesThis project includes::1.1. Development of reuse guidelines in Greece and their Development of reuse guidelines in Greece and their

evaluation in a pilot scale unit for the artificial recharge of evaluation in a pilot scale unit for the artificial recharge of groundwater aquifer by direct injection and irrigation of groundwater aquifer by direct injection and irrigation of treated wastewater.treated wastewater.

2.2. Control of salt water intrusion and groundwater level Control of salt water intrusion and groundwater level decrease contributing to the principles of sustainable decrease contributing to the principles of sustainable management of water resources.management of water resources.

3.3. Dissemination and the application of the results in Greece Dissemination and the application of the results in Greece and the Mediterranean countries.and the Mediterranean countries.

Main responsibilities of N.T.U.A. studyMain responsibilities of N.T.U.A. study::1.1. Survey of implemented wastewater reuse methods and Survey of implemented wastewater reuse methods and

critical evolution of worldwide regulations and legislation critical evolution of worldwide regulations and legislation governing wastewater reclamation.governing wastewater reclamation.

2.2. Definition of wastewater quality criteria for the alternative Definition of wastewater quality criteria for the alternative reuse methods, suitable for the Mediterranean region and reuse methods, suitable for the Mediterranean region and specifically Greece.specifically Greece.

3.3. Analysis of wastewater effluent quality from several Analysis of wastewater effluent quality from several WWTP in Greece and assessment of their reclamation and WWTP in Greece and assessment of their reclamation and reuse possibilities.reuse possibilities.

4.4. Laboratory scale studies to investigate various treatment Laboratory scale studies to investigate various treatment and disinfection methods aiming to the development of and disinfection methods aiming to the development of the most appropriate technology for wastewater the most appropriate technology for wastewater reclamation in Greecereclamation in Greece. .

Monte Carlo simulation for the determination of cumulative Monte Carlo simulation for the determination of cumulative distribution of fecal coliformsdistribution of fecal coliforms

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Bulking sludge phenomena in Bulking sludge phenomena in wastewater treatment plantswastewater treatment plants• Aim: The research project investigated the consequences of Aim: The research project investigated the consequences of

sludge bulking in approximately 25 large wastewater sludge bulking in approximately 25 large wastewater treatment plants, selected to cover the greater part of treatment plants, selected to cover the greater part of Greece Greece

• Procedure: Sludge and sewage samples were analyzed for Procedure: Sludge and sewage samples were analyzed for filamentous identification and sewage characteristicsfilamentous identification and sewage characteristics

• several bench scale units were operated in order to several bench scale units were operated in order to investigate the effect of critical parameters such as investigate the effect of critical parameters such as wastewater characteristics and plant configurationwastewater characteristics and plant configuration

• A population dynamics mathematical model and verified with A population dynamics mathematical model and verified with the aid of experimental datathe aid of experimental data

• According to the findings of the project useful practical According to the findings of the project useful practical suggestions for the improvement of the operation of suggestions for the improvement of the operation of treatment plants in Greece were formulatedtreatment plants in Greece were formulated

Dominant filamentous bacteria in Greek WWTPsDominant filamentous bacteria in Greek WWTPs

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Optimization of flow pattern in Optimization of flow pattern in nutrient removal plants to prevent nutrient removal plants to prevent bulkingbulking

Main objective:Main objective:

• Development of control strategies to prevent Development of control strategies to prevent filamentous bulking in nutrient removal plantsfilamentous bulking in nutrient removal plants

{The Sanitary Engineering Laboratory of NTUA, worked in {The Sanitary Engineering Laboratory of NTUA, worked in collaboration with the other partners in all the aspects of the collaboration with the other partners in all the aspects of the project} project}

Topics:Topics:

1.1. Survey of existing nutrient removal WWTPs in GreeceSurvey of existing nutrient removal WWTPs in Greece

2.2. Wastewater characterization studiesWastewater characterization studies

3.3. Pilot and laboratory scale studies on the effect of different Pilot and laboratory scale studies on the effect of different modes of operation on the growth of filamentous bacteria modes of operation on the growth of filamentous bacteria ( Microthrix parvicella)( Microthrix parvicella)

The main conclusions :The main conclusions :1.1. Upgrading of wastewater treatment plants to nutrient Upgrading of wastewater treatment plants to nutrient

removal in many cases resulted in poorer settling removal in many cases resulted in poorer settling properties of activated sludge compared to conventional properties of activated sludge compared to conventional treatment plants without nutrient removaltreatment plants without nutrient removal

2.2. Poor settling properties( Poor settling properties( bulkingbulking):): Normally caused: Normally caused: 1)1)by an excessive growth of filamentous bacteriaby an excessive growth of filamentous bacteria and in and in some cases 2)some cases 2)by the surface chemistry of the activated by the surface chemistry of the activated sludgesludge. Filamentous bacteria hinder the agglomeration . Filamentous bacteria hinder the agglomeration and settling of sludge physically whereas the effect of and settling of sludge physically whereas the effect of

surface chemistry is electrostatic in naturesurface chemistry is electrostatic in nature 3.3. 3030 identified bacteria may cause bulking. identified bacteria may cause bulking. 4-54-5 were the were the

ones most commonly found in nutrient removal activated ones most commonly found in nutrient removal activated sludge systems sludge systems

Microscopic identification of filamentous bacteriaMicroscopic identification of filamentous bacteria

4.4. Growth of filamentous bacteria: Depend on actual Growth of filamentous bacteria: Depend on actual wastewater composition and configuration and wastewater composition and configuration and operational parameters of process tanks operational parameters of process tanks

5.5. Use of selector systems: Successful in controlling Use of selector systems: Successful in controlling bulking in conventional treatment plants without bulking in conventional treatment plants without nutrient removal. Positive effect of selectors appeared nutrient removal. Positive effect of selectors appeared to be reduced in nutrient removal plants. to be reduced in nutrient removal plants.

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Author Affiliation: Environmental Author Affiliation: Environmental Pollution Control Laboratory, Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-

54124, Greece54124, Greece • Summary:Summary: OccurrenceOccurrence and the and the fate fate of heavy metals (of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cd, Pb,

Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe andand Ni Ni) during the ) during the wastewaterwastewater treatmenttreatment process were investigated in the process were investigated in the wastewaterwastewater treatmenttreatment plant (WTP) of the city plant (WTP) of the city of Thessaloniki, northern of Thessaloniki, northern GreeceGreece, operating in , operating in the activated sludge mode.the activated sludge mode.

Sampling Procedure:Sampling Procedure:

Wastewater and sludge samples

Influent (raw

wastewater, RW)

Effluent (primary

sedimentation effluent,

PSE)

Effluent (secondary

sedimentation effluent,

SSE)

Sludge (primary sludge,

PS)

Activated sludge

from Recirculation

stream (activated sludge,

AS)

Digested/dewatered

sludge (final sludge,

FS)

Research:Research:

The distribution of metals between the aqueous The distribution of metals between the aqueous and the solid phase of and the solid phase of wastewaterwastewater was was investigated investigated

Results:Results:

• Good exponential correlation was found between the metal Good exponential correlation was found between the metal partition coefficient, partition coefficient, loglogKKpp, and the suspended solids , and the suspended solids concentrationconcentration

• Mass balance of heavy metals in the primary, secondary Mass balance of heavy metals in the primary, secondary and the whole and the whole treatmenttreatment process showed good closures process showed good closures for all metal speciesfor all metal species

• Relative distribution of individual heavy metals in treated Relative distribution of individual heavy metals in treated effluent and sludge streams indicated that effluent and sludge streams indicated that MnMn and and CuCu are are primarily primarily (>70%)(>70%) accumulated in the sludge, while accumulated in the sludge, while 47-63%47-63%

of of Cd, Cr, Pb, Fe, Ni and ZnCd, Cr, Pb, Fe, Ni and Zn remain in the treated effluent. remain in the treated effluent.

Flow chart of the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Flow chart of the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki (QQRW: 150 000 m3/d, RW: 150 000 m3/d, QQPS: 4500 m3/d, PS: 4500 m3/d,

QQAS: 150 000 m3/d, AS: 150 000 m3/d, QQAS2: 3000 m3/d)AS2: 3000 m3/d)