Reuse potential of urban wastewater treatment plant effluents in Turkey: a case study on selected plants

Abstract

The paper summarizes the current situation of urban wastewater treatment plants (UWWTP) in Turkey. Results of a detailed survey on the performance of four selected plants were given both in terms of influent and effluent quality and in comparison with the current legislation on discharge limits to receiving waters. All the selected plants were operating efficiently especially according to conventional control parameters and heavy metal content. The suitability of the effluents for irrigation purposes is then evaluated according to the existing national irrigation water quality standards. From the data inventory, it was evident that the current situation is not promising especially regarding the bacteriological parameter, i.e. fecal coliform. The main cause of this problem is either the lack of disinfection units and/or improper operation of the existing ones. Turkey, which has already established its irrigation water quality standards, however, needs to accelerate the reuse of effluents in irrigation in the most proper manner.