Process Overview

Conventional mechanical-biological wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove a broad spectrum of micropollutants. As a result, micropollutants—including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, household chemicals, and many other substances—occur in wastewater at concentrations ranging from a few nanograms to several micrograms per litre and are discharged into receiving waters, where they may pose risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. One of the main reasons for the limited removal efficiency is the persistent nature of some of these compounds. Consequently, dedicated treatment technologies are required to effectively remove a broad range of micropollutants during the wastewater treatment process.

Various treatment technologies are available for the removal of micropollutants from wastewater. The most suitable process and its mode of application for upgrading a wastewater treatment plant must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. In addition to removal performance, the selection of an appropriate technology should consider technical feasibility as well as economic and environmental aspects. Guidance on technology selection can be found in the guideline "Machbarkeitsstudien zur Spurenstoffelimination auf kommunalen Kläranlagen" (translates to: "Feasibility Studies for Micropollutant Removal at Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants").