Characterization of Reverse Osmosis Reject Wastewater Generated from Sulaibiya Wastewater Treatment Plant

Abstract

Sulaibiya Wastewater Treatment Plant (Kuwait) is considered as one of the largest wastewater treatment plants that use Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes in their processes to reclaim water from municipal wastewaters for indirect potable water reuse. This result in considerable wastewater treatment brine which needs to be further investigated before discharge. Samples were collected on daily basis from the RO reject wastewater (brine wastewater) for one month and analyzed in situ and in the laboratory. The results obtained showed that the brine wastewater met the requirements of the Kuwait Environment Public Authority with the exception of biochemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, and total phosphate. In Kuwait, the brine wastewater is either used for deep-well injection or is discharged to the seawater. Based on the monitoring results, potential reuse options of wastewater brine include surface water discharge, sewer disposal, deep-well injection, and land application. Treatment options via evaporation ponds using membrane filters will further enhance the quality of the brine wastewater.