Guide Extensive wastewater treatment process

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An exception is made for lagooning. Indeed, analyses concerning discharges from this type of installation shall be carried
out on filtered samples. However, the concentration of total suspended solids in unfiltered water samples must
not exceed 150 mg/l.
Table 2: Regulations concerning discharges from urban waste water treatment plants carried out in
sensitive areas which are subject to eutrophication (see glossary) (1)
Parameters Concentration Minimum percentage of reduction (2)
Total phosphorus 2 mg/l (p.e. between 10,000 and 100,000) (4) 80 %
Total nitrogen (3) 15 mg/l (p.e. between 10,000 and 100,000) (4)
70-80 %
(1) Depending on the local situation, one or both parameters may be applied. Furthermore, it is possible to apply the value of concentration
or the percentage of reduction.
(2) Reduction in relation to influent values.
(3) Total nitrogen measured according to the Kjeldahl method (see glossary), plus the nitrogen contained in nitrates and nitrites.
(4) These values of concentration are annual averages. However, for nitrogen, daily averages may be used when it can be proved that
the same level of protection is obtained. In this case, the daily average cannot exceed 20 mg/l of total nitrogen for all samples, when
the temperature of the discharge to the biological reactor is greater than or equal to 12°C. As a substitute for the condition concerning
the temperature, it is possible to apply a limited time of operation, which takes into account the regional climatic conditions.
TECHNIQUES THAT CAN
BE USED TO MEET THE REGULATIONS
OF THE DIRECTIVE
�Traditional intensive techniques
The most developed techniques at the level of the urban treatment plants are intensive biological processes. The
principle with these processes is to operate on a reduced surface area and to intensify the phenomena of the transformation
and destruction of organic matter that can be observed naturally.
Three main types of processes are used:
� biological filters and rotating biological contactors;
activated sludge;
enhanced biological filtering or biofiltering techniques.
▲ Biological Filters
The operating principle of a biological filter [ also called biofilter, trickling filter or bacteria bed]consists in running
waste water that has been previously settled through a bed of porous stone or open plastic material that serves
as a support for purifying micro-organisms (bacteria) (see the drawing below).
Pretreatments
Discharge
Recirculation
Biofilter
Drainage tiles
Distributor
Secondary settler
EXTENSIVE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROCESSES
Filter media
Ventilation holes
Aeration is carried out either by natural aspiration
or by forced ventilation. It is a question of
supplying the oxygen that is necessary for maintaining
aerobic bacteria in proper working order.
The polluting matter contained in the water and
the oxygen in the air are diffused, through the
biological film, and assimilated by micro-organisms.The
biological film has aerobic bacteria on
the surface and anaerobic bacteria near the support
media. By-products and carbon dioxide produced
by purification are disposed of in gaseous
and liquid fluids (Satin M., Belmi S, 1999).
Figure 1: Synoptic of a treatment plant with a biological filter
(according to a Cartel internet site - http://www.oieau.fr/ service guide section)