Waste water treatment is the largest biotechnology industry in the world, handling and disposing of domestic and industrial wastes so they present no threat to the general populace or the environment at large. The activated sludge process is the cornerstone of sewage treatment systems. Although it is a biological process and has been in use for more than 80 years, we still lack detailed understanding of how it works and how its performance might be better controlled and manipulated. This book presents a comprehensive review of what is currently known about the general microbiology of activated sludge and some of the bacteria responsible for the major operational problems encountered. Current understanding and the existing literature are critically assessed and new potentially valuable areas for research suggested. Methodology particularly appropriate to the study of the bacteria that cause bulking and foaming is described, and there is an identification section consisting of photomicrographs and detailed descriptions of the filamentous and other bacteria commonly seen in activated sludge plants. The impact of molecular methods on our understanding of activated sludge microbiology is emphasized throughout the book. The book will be of immediate interest to both microbiologists and waste water engineers, and has been written so as to be relevant and understandable to both. It will also be of interest and value to postgraduate students and researchers working in the fields of environmental engineering, general microbiology and microbial ecology.

Offering a comprehensive approach, this title covers fundamentals, technologies, and management of biological processing of solid waste. It discusses kinetic modeling and synergistic impact evolution during bioprocessing of solid waste, environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emission from biological processing of solid waste, energy recovery from solid waste, and biodrying of solid waste. It also presents cases and challenges from different countries, successful business models, and economic analyses of various processing options. Aimed at researchers and industry professionals in solid and hazardous waste management, this title offers a wealth of knowledge to help readers understand this increasingly important area.

The focus of the book is on how to use mass and heat balances to simulate and design biological wastewater treatment processes. All the main processes for biological wastewater treatment are covered viz. activated sludge processes for carbon and nitrogen removal, anaerobic digestion, sequencing batch reactors, and attached growth processes.

This book introduces the 3R concept applied to wastewater treatment and resource recovery under a double perspective. Firstly, it deals with innovative technologies leading to: Reducing energy requirements, space and impacts; Reusing water and sludge of sufficient quality; and Recovering resources such as energy, nutrients, metals and chemicals, including biopolymers. Besides targeting effective C,N&P removal, other issues such as organic micropollutants, gases and odours emissions are considered. Most of the technologies analysed have been tested at pilot- or at full-scale. Tools and methods for their Economic, Environmental, Legal and Social impact assessment are described. The 3R concept is also applied to Innovative Processes design, considering different levels of innovation: Retrofitting, where novel units are included in more conventional processes; Re-Thinking, which implies a substantial flowsheet modification; and Re-Imagining, with completely new conceptions. Tools are presented for Modelling, Optimising and Selecting the most suitable plant layout for each particular scenario from a holistic technical, economic and environmental point of view.

Taking an integrated, cross-disciplinary approach to this critical process, Aeration Control System Design comprehensively addresses the concept and system design of aeration activated wastewater treatment. Author Thomas E. Jenkins, a veteran in the field, covers complete treatment of aeration system controls, processes, and instrumentation and includes a theoretical and mathematical treatment of case histories, complete with design procedures and analysis methodology. Equations, charts, figures, and diagrams are used extensively throughout, making this a vital resource for civil/environmental engineers, mechanical engineers, and electrical/instrumentation engineers.

Over the past few years on-site sanitation has been widely promoted as a solution which can be quickly implemented to address sanitation issues, and it is gaining traction. As such, treatment of the contents emptied from on-site containments has become a pressing issue. While dedicated treatment facilities for this purpose have been advocated, co-treating these wastes in sewage treatment facilities is a promising option, which many countries have implemented or are exploring. This option maximises the utilisation of city infrastructure. In cases where the existing sewage treatment facilities are underutilised, co-treatment presents a ready solution for managing fecal sludge and septage. In spite of co-treatment being a well-known practice in many countries, it remains clouded in uncertainty, especially regarding the technical advisability, and potential risks of co-treating fecal sludge or septage in sewage treatment plants. Planners and decision-makers are often very apprehensive in considering co-treatment. As a result, the opportunity to better utilise available infrastructure for co-treatment of sludge is often being missed. Meanwhile, there are also many cases where co-treatment has been tried, either successfully or otherwise, but it has not been possible to draw conclusions from these, to guide the way forward. This guide book explores some of the basic principles behind sewage treatment, and how it may be impacted by co-treatment of wastes from on-site containments, to try to throw some light on how co-treatment could be considered, in an incremental manner, recognising risks and mitigating them. It is intended to facilitate a better understanding among planners, engineers, decision makers and technical practitioners and to help them evaluate and consider the option of co-treatment

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of semi-volatile organic compounds that are formed during the incomplete burning of gas, coal, oil, wood, garbage, or other organic substances. PAHs are a concern because a number of them have been identified as genotoxic and/or carcinogenic. They pose a threat to ecological systems and can cause health problems. A significant source of PAHs is the effluent of wastewater treatment plants. This book explores the occurrence and the treatability of PAHs in wastewater treatment.

A practical guide to wastewater bacteria and the roles they perform in wastewater treatment
Communicating material in a practical manner for operators and technicians who regulate and troubleshoot their wastewater treatment processes, Wastewater Bacteria discusses the effective control and proper operation of aerobic (activated sludge) and anaerobic (anaerobic digesters) biological treatment units to ensure that an adequate, active, and appropriate population of bacteria is present in each treatment unit. It is a hands-on guide to understanding the biology and biological conditions that occur at each treatment unit.
Avoiding unnecessary technical jargon and chemical equations, Wastewater Bacteria, the fifth book in the Wastewater Microbiology Series, explores and explains:
* Bacteria and the wastewater environment
* Enzymes and sludge production
* Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur bacteria
* Floc formation and filamentous organisms
* Nitrification and denitrification
* Sulfate reduction, fermentation, and methane production
* Toxicity
* Foam and malodor production
The goal of Wastewater Bacteria is to enable plant operators to achieve the twofold basic objectives of wastewater treatment-to degrade organic wastes to a level where a significant, dissolved oxygen demand is not exerted upon receiving waters and to remove nutrients to levels where photosynthetic organisms in receiving waters are limited in their growth. This straightforward manual equips plant technicians to meet these objectives with essential information to understand the biological processes and organisms involved in wastewater treatment.

Reap the benefits of sludge
The processing of wastewater sludge for use or disposal has been a continuing challenge for municipal agencies. Yet, whensludge is properly processed, the resulting nutrient-rich product--biosolids--can be a valuable resource for agriculture and other uses. Wastewater Sludge Processing brings together a wide body of knowledge from the field to examine how to effectively process sludge to reap its benefits, yet protect public health.
Presented in a format useful as both a reference for practicing environmental engineers and a textbook for graduatestudents, this book discusses unit operations used for processing sludge and the available methods for final disposition of the processed product. Topics discussed include sludge quantities and characteristics, thickening and dewatering, aerobicand anaerobic digestion, alkaline stabilization, composting, thermal drying and incineration, energy consumption, and the beneficial use of biosolids.
COMPREHENSIVE IN ITS COVERAGE, THE TEXT:
* Describes new and emerging technologies as well as international methods
* Compares different types of sludge processing methods
* Explains both municipal and industrial treatment technologies
Written by authors with decades of experience in the field, Wastewater Sludge Processing is an invaluable tool for anyone planning, designing, and implementing municipal wastewater sludge management projects.

Structural Resilience in Sewer Reconstruction: From Theory to Practice provides engineers with a balanced mixture of theory and practice. Divided into three parts, structural resilience is introduced, along with different methods and theories that are needed to assess sewerage networks. The authors begin with a general overview of resilience and lessons learned, then present a comprehensive review of resilience theories in key fields of study. The book also introduces major analysis techniques and computational methods for resilience assessment, also highlighting sewer reconstruction projects carried out in Tokyo, including the reconstruction and development process for construction methods, renovation materials and technical inventions. The structural resilience considerations incorporated in various stages of development are discussed in detail. Computational examples for assessing structural resilience in the renovated sewer system in Tokyo are also shown, with final chapters summarizing structural resilience theories and areas for future study.

On a global scale, sewage represents the main point-source of water pollution and is also the predominant source of nitrogen contamination in urban regions. The present research is focused on the study of the main challenges that need to be addressed in order to achieve a successful inorganic nitrogen post-treatment of anaerobic effluents in the mainstream. The post-treatment is based on autotrophic nitrogen removal. The challenges are classified in terms of operational features and system configuration, namely: (i) the short-term effects of organic carbon source, the COD/N ratio and the temperature on the autotrophic nitrogen removal; the results from this study confirms that the Anammox activity is strongly influenced by temperature, in spite of the COD source and COD/N ratios applied. (ii) The long-term performance of the Anammox process under low nitrogen sludge loading rate (NSLR) and moderate to low temperatures; it demonstrates that NSLR affects nitrogen removal efficiency, granular size and biomass concentration of the bioreactor. (iii) The Anammox cultivation in a closed sponge-bed trickling filter (CSTF) and (iv) the autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite in a sponge-bed trickling filter (STF). Both types of Anammox sponge-bed trickling filters offer a plane technology with good nitrogen removal efficiency.

Vertical flow constructed wetlands for wastewater and sludge treatment represent a relatively new and still growing technology. "Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands" is the first book to present the state-of-the-art knowledge regarding vertical flow constructed wetlands theory and applications. In this book, you will learn about vertical flow systems with information about application and performance. "Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands" also includes information on how different countries are applying the technology, with design guidelines to illustrate best practices worldwide. A focus on water conservation through reuse of treated water showcases the benefit of vertical flow construction, which has greatly increased the attractiveness of the technology in recent years.
All state-of-the-art knowledge regarding vertical flow constructed wetlands gathered in one bookA review of various constructed wetland approaches, including information about applications and performance, helps clarify what is currently known about constructed wetland principles and designDiscussion of how to manage the treated wastewater leaving the vertical flow for increasing biodiversity, providing food and habitat for birds, and producing harvestable biomass or cropsIncludes case studies of constructed wetlands in developing countries

Volume II of the definitive series on the microbiology of wastewater treatment

The activated sludge process is the most versatile, commonly used wastewater treatment system in North America; however, many activated sludge processes frequently experience operational problems related to poor compaction or settleability of secondary solids and loss of secondary solids from the clarifier. Eschewing the technical jargon and copious chemical equations found in the majority of wastewater studies, Settleability Problems and Loss of Solids in the Activated Sludge Process speaks directly to plant operators, showing them how to identify and solve common problems and achieve maximum efficiency.

Michael H. Gerardi’s hands-on guide addresses the most common plant operational problems, such as increased costs, loss of treatment efficiency, and permit violations. Using numerous tables and illustrations, Settleability Problems provides microscopic and analytical techniques for troubleshooting and identifying the conditions responsible for settleability problems and loss of solids. It includes pictures of wet mounts and smears of acceptable and unacceptable microscopic conditions of the activated sludge and presents corrective measures for operational problems. Chapters include:

• Undesired Filamentous Growth
• Nutrient-Deficient Floc Particles
• Denitrification
• Slug Discharge of Soluble cBOD
• Viscous Bulking or Zoogloeal Growth
• Production and Accumulation of Foam and Scum

The Wastewater Microbiology Series tackles the critical topics of cost-effective operation, permit compliance, process control, and troubleshooting through a microbiological perspective. Volume II in the series, Settleability Problems will prove to be of unparalleled value to wastewater treatment plant operators as well as students of wastewater microbiology.

A comprehensive guide to sludge management, reuse, and disposal

When wastewater is treated, reducing organic material to carbon dioxide, water, and bacterial cells--the cells are disposed of, producing a semisolid and nutrient-rich byproduct called sludge. The expansion in global population and industrial activity has turned the production of excess sludge into an international environmental challenge, with the ultimate disposal of excess sludge now one of the most expensive problems faced by wastewater facilities.

Written by two leading environmental engineers, "Biological Sludge Minimization and Biomaterials/Bioenergy Recovery Technologies "offers a comprehensive look at cutting-edge techniques for reducing sludge production, converting sludge into a value-added material, recovering useful resources from sludge, and sludge incineration. Reflecting the impact of new stringent environmental legislation, this book offers a frank appraisal of how sludge can be realistically managed, covering key concerns and the latest tools: Fundamentals of biological processes for wastewater treatment, wastewater microbiology, and microbial metabolism, essential to understanding how sludge is producedPrediction of primary sludge and waste-activated sludge production, among the chief design and operational challenges of a wastewater treatment plantTechnologies for sludge reduction, with a focus on reducing microbial growth yield as well as enhancing sludge disintegrationThe use of anerobic digestion of sewage sludge for biogas recovery, in terms of process fundamentals, design, and operationThe use of the microbial fuel cell (MFC) system for the sustainable treatment of organic wastes and electrical energy recovery

A practical, hands-on guide to using the microscope to analyze activated sludge in wastewater treatment
The microscope provides the wastewater treatment plant operator with a special tool for process control and troubleshooting of the activated sludge process. The operator can "read" the organisms and use them as "bioindicators" to determine if operational conditions are acceptable or not acceptable. Written for plant operators and technicians and avoiding unnecessary technical jargon, "Microscopic Examination of the Activated Sludge Process explores" and explains:

• Microscopy, including microscopic measurements and techniques
  
• Directions for preparing and applying microbiological stains and immobilizing agents and techniques for preparing wet mounts and smears
  
• How to identify various types of organisms, including: floc particles and foam; protozoa; rotifers; worms and worm-like organisms; crustaceans; filamentous organisms; and algae and fungi
  
• The collection, evaluation, and presentation of observations
  This straightforward guide includes figures, tables, worksheets, photomicrographs, and black-and-white drawings of many living, microscopic components of the activated sludge process. It equips plant operators and technicians to monitor, regulate, and troubleshoot the treatment processes and also serves as a valuable resource for research professionals and sanitary engineers in wastewater treatment.

Waste Stabilisation Ponds is the third volume in the Biological Wastewater Treatment series. The major variants of pond systems are fully covered, namely .facultative ponds .anaerobic ponds .aerated lagoons .maturation ponds. The book presents in a clear and didactic way the main concepts, working principles, expected removal efficiencies, design criteria, design examples, construction aspects, operational guidelines and sludge management for pond systems. The Biological Wastewater Treatment series is based on the book Biological Wastewater Treatment in Warm Climate Regions and on a highly acclaimed set of best selling textbooks. This international version is comprised by six textbooks giving a state-of-the-art presentation of the science and technology of biological wastewater treatment. Other books in the Biological Wastewater Treatment series: Volume 1: Wastewater characteristics, treatment and disposal Volume 2: Basic principles of wastewater treatment Volume 4: Anaerobic reactors Volume 5: Activated sludge and aerobic biofilm reactors Volume 6: Sludge treatment and disposal

Anaerobic biotechnology is a cost-effective and sustainable means of treating waste and wastewaters that couples treatment processes with the reclamation of useful by-products and renewable biofuels. This means of treating municipal, agricultural, and industrial wastes allows waste products to be converted to value-added products such as biofuels, biofertilizers, and other chemicals. "Anaerobic Biotechnology for Bioenergy Production: Principles and Applications "provides the reader with basic principles of anaerobic processes alongside practical uses of anaerobic biotechnology options. This book will be a valuable reference to any professional currently considering or working with anaerobic biotechnology options.

Low-cost sewerage provides practical solutions to the sanitation needs of low-income areas. As a result of the currently very rapid urban population growth, the demand for sewerage exceeds the resources of most high density urban areas in developing countries. Low-cost alternatives to conventional sewerage, such as settled sewerage and simplified sewerage, therefore need to be developed. This book is the result of contributions by both academics and practitioners who attended the International Conference on Low-cost Sewerage which was held at the University of Leeds, England, in July 1995. Low-cost sewerage technologies are described and their applications in both developed and developing countries are detailed.

Legislation is now in place that demands high standards of effluent treatment and waste disposal, both industrial and domestic.

This book provides plant managers, operators and consultants with a practical guide to the equipment and techniques available for improving the standard of effluent discharges from factories and treatment plants, to comply with the tougher discharge limits that the regulatory bodies now require.

The book reviews both established and new techniques and shows how to maximise their potential by providing a wide range of options. Success the first time around is emphasized.

The text concentrates on minimising waste and maximising savings, including recycling. Practicality and simplicity of approach are stressed, with a range of case studies to demonstrate their approach.

The book has been updated to include a review of developments since the first edition was published and features a new chapter on cesspools, septic tanks and small treatment plants.

Water, energy, and food are basic requirements for life, and this book presents solutions for obtaining these from sewage wastewater treatment plants. It describes the optimal recovery of value-added products from municipal sewage plants in developing countries, and explains how the plants' operations can become both economical and sustainable. Further, it shows how the clean effluent that is obtained is then suitable for agricultural use in the production of bio-fertilizers, and graywater for irrigation, and how the recovered biogas could be used for energy and heating needs. Practical case studies from three separate sewage plants are presented to illustrate the processes involved.

Activated Sludge Separation Problems: Theory, Control Measures, Practical Experiences, Second Edition, describes the most common activated sludge separation problems and explains the main reasons for the growth of the different filamentous microorganisms in activated sludge. The book summarizes the identification techniques for important groups of activated sludge microorganisms both based on conventional microscopic analysis and using the biological molecular tools available today (FISH and PCR). This new edition, with 70% new and updated material, also provides explanation of basic activated sludge process principles and of parameters necessary for process control and operation. The theory of secondary clarifies is described to the extent necessary for understanding the construction and operation of secondary clarifiers. The activated sludge reactor and secondary clarifies are treated as one system and the interactions are explained. The wide range of experiences around the world is documented and the methods to avoid the proliferation of these organisms are presented and critically reviewed. Activated Sludge Separation Problems consists of six chapters, presenting up-to-date technical and scientific aspects of these processes. The new edition also features an extended list of literature references for further reading. The book will be a valuable help for students of environmental engineering, wastewater specialists, plant operators and designers of activated sludge plants. It is also useful for specialists in wastewater operation laboratories, especially for those studying activated sludge separation properties.

Pollution Control and Resource Recovery: Municipal Solid Wastes Incineration: Bottom Ash and Fly Ash explains the tools and technologies needed to characterize, stabilize, treat, recycle, or properly dispose bottom and fly ash. The public concern for the environmental impact of MSW incineration has increased significantly over the last 20 years, forcing manufacturers to develop, and plants to install and operate, high-cost advanced technology for pollution control. This book explores the latest information on this important topic.

Pollution Control and Resource Recovery: Sewage Sludge discusses several traditional and new environmentally friendly technologies for sewage sludge treatment and disposal. In addition, the book covers a range of new initiatives that are underway to promote and accelerate the development of related sciences and techniques. The book's authors builds a framework for developing various sustainable technologies for sewage sludge treatment and disposal, including advanced dewatering through chemical conditioning, solidification/stabilization, reuse for the development of construction and building materials, anaerobic bioenergy recovery, sanitary landfill, and odor control.

"In the rainy season it is really bad. Water mixes with the shit and when we carry it on our heads, it drips from the basket onto our clothes, our bodies, our faces. When I return home, I find it difficult to eat food sometimes. The smell never gets out of my clothes, my hair. But then in summer there is often no water to wash your hands before eating. It is difficult to say which is worse." This is a telling investigation and indictment of India's lack of resolve over the past 100 years to get rid of manual scavenging and transportation of human excrement. Since Gandhi raised the question of untouchability in 1901 there have been reports, recommendations, a National Commission in 1994 and allocation of funds for rehabilitation of the Bhangis, but so far little has changed. Almost every state government denies the existence of the problem. The author suggests that there is a silent and shameful opposition in India to the eradication of untouchability. The Bhangis are trapped in a system ordained by the caste structure which impedes rehabilitation and movement into alternative work. Can attitudes change, or will the dignity, justice and equality enshrined in the Constitution remain no nearer for the Bhangis than it was in 1947?

It is generally accepted that excreta disposal is given less priority in emergencies than other humanitarian interventions such as health care, food and water supply. This is despite the fact that many of the most common diseases occuring in emergency situations are caused by inadequate sanitation facilities and poor hygeine practice. Many aid agencies are aware of these facts and wish to give greater emphasis to excreta disposal. In the past, however, they have often been hampered by a lack of experience and resources to support their field staff. This manual is designed for use by field-based technicians, engineers and non-technical staff responsible for sanitation planning, management and intervention in emergencies. This may include international personnel sent to an emergency, local, national and regional staff.