Improved wastewater pond systems and subsequent disinfection by UV irradiation


Project A5 within the frame of the BMBF sponsored Joint Research Programme "Adaptation of wastewater treatment and water reuse technologies to specific technical, institutional and financial conditions"


Project title: Joint Research Programme "Adaptation of wastewater treatment and water reuse technologies to specific technical, institutional and financial conditions"; Main Project A "Wastewater treatment";
Sub Project A 5 "Design and operational parameters of waste stabilisation ponds and effluent disinfection systems in consideration to regional influences"
Project leader: Prof. Dr. Dr. Karl-Ulrich Rudolph
Co-operation partner: WEDECO, ITT Water & Wastewater
Sponsor: BMBF (German Fed. Min. of Education and Research) - PTKA-WTE
Reference number: 02WA0543
Project term: January 2005 - December 2009


Within the BMBF-sponsored Joint Research Programme about the adaptation of wastewater treatment technologies to specific technical, institutional and financial conditions in different regions, this project deals with the particular aspects of wastewater treatment in ponds and lagoons. One focus is on hygienic aspects and the possibilities of effluent disinfection by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation.

Evaluation of design and operational parameters of wastewater pond systems

All over the world wastewater pond systems represent a significant share of wastewater treatment facilities, especially in developing and newly industrialising countries. With relatively low operation requirements, wastewater pond systems are often a reasonable choice for sustainable wastewater treatment in remote areas with unreliable electricity supply but enough space resources. But also in the industrialized countries pond systems might be important options within decentralized concepts for wastewater treatment. High-brain approaches like combinations with other treatment methods offer solutions for rising purification requirements and efficient operation.

By international surveys within the research project relevant design parameters and operational experiences of pond systems are evaluated with respect to specific conditions (climate, wastewater standards, water reuse etc.) in different regions world wide. Beside technical aspects also issues regarding economics, plant operation etc. will be discussed. The condensed results will be part of a guideline about abroad wastewater treatment.

Subsequent wastewater disinfection by UV irradiation

Wastewater treatment for reuse is especially dominated by the question of pathogenic contaminations. Because of their long retention times, properly designed pond systems have a high performance in terms of pathogen reduction, in particular regarding helminth eggs.

Based on general investigations about wastewater disinfection technologies within the project the specific effects of natural and solar disinfection in pond systems has been described.

Additionally, practical tests with UV irradiation of pond effluents have been conducted together with the industrial project partner WEDECO, ITT Water & Wastewater. Objective of these tests has been the investigation on the performance of subsequent disinfection by UV irradiation for different qualities of pond effluents.

Poster H2O 2005 Vienam
[Poster for fair H2O Vietnam 2005]


Joint Research Programme

Information about the BMBF-sponsored Joint Research Programme on adaptation of wastewater treatment and water reuse technologies to specific technical, institutional and financial conditions in different countries is available on the Joint Programme's website at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (German-language website).

Downloads

Project Abstract (142 KB)
Fuhrmann, Rudolph - Advanced disinfection of ponds effluent by UV irradiation - 2009
    (70 KB)
Rudolph et al. - Economic criteria and parameters to evaluate pond systems - 2009
    (160 KB)
Fuhrmann, Rudolph - Wastewater Ponds and UV Disinfection - 2007 (115 KB)
Fuhrmann, Rudolph - Future Potentials of Wastewater Pond Systems - 2006 (274 KB)

Links

•  IWA Specialist Group on Waste Stabilisation Ponds
•  8th IWA Specialist Group Conference on Waste Stabilization Ponds, 2009, Brazil
•  9th IWA Specialist Group Conference on Waste Stabilization Ponds, 2011, Australia