Reducing the Discharge of Micropollutants in the Aquatic Environment: The Benefits of Upgrading Wastewater Treatment Plants

TLDR

Micropollutants from diverse sources enter water bodies, and conventional wastewater treatment plants are a major source of these contaminants, making their removal essential for protecting water quality. The article explains how upgrading wastewater treatment plants can reduce micropollutant discharges and serves as a model for other countries. The authors discuss upgrading WWTPs using the Swiss strategy, illustrating how additional treatment steps lower MP loads and toxicities. Case studies of ozonation and activated‑carbon treatment demonstrate significant MP reductions, and the Swiss authorities have adopted these measures after confirming technical feasibility, cost‑effectiveness, and public support.

Abstract

Micropollutants (MPs) as individual compounds or in complex mixtures are relevant for water quality and may trigger unwanted ecological effects. MPs originate from different point and diffuse sources and enter water bodies via different flow paths. Effluents from conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), in which various MPs are not or not completely removed, is one major source. To improve the water quality and avoid potential negative ecological effects by micropollutants, various measures to reduce the discharge should be taken. In this feature we discuss one of these measures; the benefits of upgrading WWTPs toward reduced MP loads and toxicities from wastewater effluents, using the recently decided Swiss strategy as an example. Based on (i) full-scale case studies using ozonation or powder activated carbon treatment, showing substantial reduction of MP discharges and concomitant reduced toxicities, (ii) social and political acceptance, (iii) technical feasibility and sufficient cost-effectiveness, the Swiss authorities recently decided to implement additional wastewater treatment steps as mitigation strategy to improve water quality. Since MPs are of growing global concern, the concepts and considerations behind the Swiss strategy are explained in this feature, which could be of use for other countries as well. It should be realized that upgrading WWTPs is not the only solution to reduce the discharge of MPs entering the environment, but is part of a broader, multipronged mitigation strategy.