HEAVY-METALS ENTERING SEWAGE-TREATMENT WORKS FROM DOMESTIC SOURCES

A programme was undertaken in order to quantify the heavy-metal contri bution from domestic sources with respect to total loads entering a ch osen sewage-treatment works. Input waters, household cleaning and body -care products, and wastewater from household appliances, were sampled and analysed for heavy metals. The data were combined with literature values to predict the total load of heavy metals entering the sewage- treatment works from the study catchment. This paper identifies the ma jor domestic sources of heavy metals and quantifies them based upon a catchment model.