Evaluation of Pilot Scale Domestic Wastewater Reuse System in Terms of Irrigation and Industrial Process Waters in Turkey

Abstract

It is now inevitable to reuse the wastewater in urban areas in terms of climate change and circular economy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reuse of secondary treatment as irrigation water and/or industrial process water by pilot-scale ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) units. The conductivity, pH, organic matter, heavy metals, micropollutants, coliform bacteria and sodium hazard assessments were analysedduring operation. An average flux of 60.02 ± 16 l/m².h was obtained in UF system and 12.30 ± 2.93 l/m².h was obtained in RO system. Both UF and RO permeates were compared with the national and the global irrigational water quality standards. It has been determined that UF effluent is suitable for irrigation, while RO permeate water can be used for industrial processes with UF pre-treatment. The total operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of two pilot plants were calculated at 0.252 US $/m³.