ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FOR MEETING STRINGENT EFFLUENT GUIDELINES

Stringent effluent guidelines relating to volatile organic carbon (VOC ), effluent toxicity and priority pollutants require a reappraisal of design criteria for wastewater treatment plants in the chemical and pe trochemical industry. In the case of volatiles, the biodegradability o f the VOC as well as the type of aeration equipment needs to be consid ered. High temperatures in covered aeration basins can create serious sludge settling problems, Priority pollutant removal requires careful consideration of adequate sludge age. Temperature is particularly sign ificant in reducing priority pollutants to acceptable levels. The gene ration of non-degradable by-products, SMP, can create effluent toxicit y problems. This may require tertiary treatment with activated carbon.