Evaluation of potential reduction of pharmaceutical residues in a biological system for wastewater treatment
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Alnarp Cleanwater Technology AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 350 000 |
| Project duration | May 2013 - May 2014 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
The project aim was to verify the potential for reduction of pharmaceutical residues in ACT Natural. The main treatment steps in ACT showed a general trend of high reduction rates for the majority of the studied pharmaceuticals compared to reductions rates found at four wastewater treatment plants and sandfilter beds previously studied. However, due to technical obstacles, the capacity of the first treatment step in ACT could not be quatified. This, it can be assumed that the pharmaceutical reduction capacity of ACT could have been underestimated.
Expected long term effects
The project showed that factors such as high residence time, oxigenation, and plant enzymes, which other studies have shown are important för high reduction of pharmaceuticals, also were important in ACT Natural. More specifially, the presence of residence time, oxigenation, and plant enzymes in ACT Naturals made this system superior to other conventional systems with regards to reduction of pharmaceuticals in domestic wastewater. (See Övrig Bilaga).
Approach and implementation
The project has been conducted in cooperation with IVL - Swedish Environmental Research Institute. The study may be divided in two following parts: Part 1. Hydraulic tracer study. Part 2. ACT NaturalTM reduction capacity of pharmaceuticals. For details see´Övrig Bilaga´.