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Description
The aim of our project is to install the pilot unit of the tertiary degree of wastewater treatment in WWTP Moravský Beroun. The realization of the project is located on the territory of the protective waterband in which springs of mineral water, which are collected for commercial purposes. For this reason, it is necessary to limit the entry of foreign substances and their metabolites into surface and subsequently into groundwater. As part of the project, we will install a new three-stage system that will allow us to reduce water pollution with drug residues. If this system proves successful in practice, it will be implemented for the entire capacity of the treatment plant.
Summary of project results
Our project was focused on reducing the pollution of surface waters with drug residues by their effective removal in the Moravsky Beroun wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The implementation of the project was important due to the fact that the recipient of this WWTP is located in the territory of the water management protection zone, where the Ondrasovka mineral water springs occur. These springs are harvested for commercial purposes. For this reason, it was necessary to limit the entry of foreign substances and their metabolites into surface and subsequently into groundwater. Two drugs were selected (i. e. gabapentin and ibuprofen) according to analyzes of purified wastewater at the Moravsky Beroun WWTP. Gabapentin belongs to the group of anti-inflammatory drugs and ibuprofen is one of the most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The values of these substances showed that the current wastewater treatment process at the Moravsky Beroun WWTP is not sufficient for these drugs, taking into account the location of the outlet in the protective water management zone. The City of Moravský Beroun selected technology supplier (FORTEX-AGS, a.s.) based on the project documentation for the technology prepared by an authorized designer selected by Agrovyzkum Rapotin, Ltd. according to the proposal and then the installation of the semi-operational unit of the tertiary wastewater treatment took place. After the installation of the semi-operational unit, a test operation was carried out in order to optimize the conditions of the equipment. The goal of the project was to achieve 90% efficiency in the removal of selected substances that are difficult to remove with the usual technological process of wastewater treatment.
As part of the project, the semi-operational technology was implemented according to the proposed scheme. In addition, a sail filter was included in the disc filter area. The sail filter has approximately 80% less consumption, and at the same time, it does not require maintenance every 6 hours as part of cleaning, which is necessary to operation with a disc filter. The technology was stored in an easily moveable shipping container. The technology was pilot tested at flow rates and the involvement of various combinations of the 0. to 4. recirculation cycle of waste water. The decrease in the concentration of gabapentin and ibuprofen in the wastewater was primarily monitored. At the same time, accompanying analyzes were carried out that could be affected by the technological process, such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), chemical oxygen demand (CODCr), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved inorganic salts (TDIS), concentrations of anions (chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, nitrites, bicarbonates, carbonates, fluorides) and cations (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, ammonium ions, iron, manganese, chromium, nickel, lead, zinc, cadmium), conductivity. Monitoring the flow rate in relation to the decline in drug concentration led to finding the optimal flow range for the operating conditions. The use of the technology proposed by us made it possible to prevent the entry of residual drugs from the Moravsky Beroun WWTP into the surface flow of Bystrice and thereby prevent the entry of these substances into the captured springs of Ondrasovka mineral water. Advanced oxidation processes (UV/O3 method) and secondary UV radiation enabled a reduction in gabapentin and ibuprofen concentration and subsequent passage of wastewater through GAC achieved >99% removal of both drugs. The goal of the project (90% removal of monitored substances) was therefore exceeded. Even though the removal of only two specific drugs with a high residual concentration was monitored after the standard technological procedure of wastewater treatment at the Moravsky Beroun WWTP, it is quite likely that this technological procedure also removed residual concentrations of other undesirable organic substances in the wastewater.
The primary goal of the project was to prevent residual pharmaceuticals from entering surface water streams, a task of considerable importance on several levels.
Locally, the project was particularly significant for the town of Moravský Beroun and the Důlní brook, a tributary of the Bystřice River. This stream receives treated wastewater from the local wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The project aimed to safeguard these waters from contamination.
Regionally, it was crucial to protect the underground mineral springs of Ondrášovka, located near Sedm Dvorů and Domašov nad Bystřicí. The risk of pharmaceuticals seeping into these groundwater reserves was a key motivation for addressing the issue, as these springs provide drinking water for the nearby municipalities.
Moreover, the project helped prevent pollution of the Bystřice River, which is an important source of drinking water for Domašov nad Bystřicí. Maintaining the river''s water quality was also essential for the local Bělá trout hatchery, which relies on pristine surface water for breeding.
Finally, on a societal level, the project contributed to the spread of new knowledge and techniques in managing pharmaceutical pollution, ensuring a broader impact beyond the immediate region.
In summary, the successful execution of the project not only protected local water systems but also had a wider regional and societal significance by preventing the entry of hazardous substances into critical water sources.