The use of an on-line respirometer for the screening of toxicity in the antwerp WWTP catchment area

• Published in: Water science and technology Vol. 37; no. 12; pp. 213 - 218
• Main Authors: Geenens, D., Thoeye, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-06-1998
• ISSN: 0273-1223; 1996-9732
• DOI: 10.2166/wst.1998.0544

Following the new European and Flemish environmental legislation most of the existing Flemish wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) have to be adapted to achieve nutrient removal. The Antwerp WWTP Deurne-Schijnpoort (230,000 PE) is to be renovated to achieve a 10 mg/l total nitrogen and a 1 mg/l total phosphorous effluent consent. Six months of intensive pilot work at this plant has shown total nitrification inhibition of one- stage activated sludge processes. A mobile on-line respirometer was installed to monitor the activated sludge inhibition at the WWTP. Toxicity resulting in a substantial deterioration of the WWTP effluent was observed. Industrial discharges and main junctions in the sewer system were sampled for specific monitoring. An industrial source of inhibition could be pinpointed. Full-scale operating experiences with the respirometer during the measurements are reported.