Abstract
To limit effluent impacts on eutrophication in receiving waterbodies, a small community water resource recovery facility (WRRF) upgraded their conventional activated sludge treatment process for biological nutrient removal, and considered enhanced primary settling and anaerobic digestion (AD) with co-digestion of high strength organic waste (HSOW). The community initiated the resource recovery hub concept with the intention of converting an energy-consuming wastewater treatment plant into a facility that generates energy and nutrients and reuses water. We applied life cycle assessment and life cycle cost assessment to evaluate the net impact of the potential conversion. The upgraded WRRF reduced eutrophication impacts by 40 percent compared to the legacy system. Other environmental impacts such as global climate change potential (GCCP) and cumulative energy demand (CED) were strongly affected by AD and composting assumptions. The scenario analysis showed that HSOW co-digestion with energy recovery can lead to reductions in GCCP and CED of 7 and 108 percent, respectively, for the upgraded WRRF (high feedstock-base AD performance scenarios) relative to the legacy system. The cost analysis showed that using the full digester capacity and achieving high digester performance can reduce the life cycle cost of WRRF upgrades by 15 percent over a 30-year period.
Highlights
IntroductionCities in the U.S and around the world have implemented municipality-run water management approaches to resolve sanitary and freshwater supply issues [1]
Urban water systems have been evolving as the industrial market economy grows
Results demonstrate that capacity utilization and performance of the anaerobic digestion (AD) system are determining factors in whether a relative decrease or increase in environmental impact is associated with the water resource recovery facility (WRRF) upgrade
Summary
Cities in the U.S and around the world have implemented municipality-run water management approaches to resolve sanitary and freshwater supply issues [1]. Many municipalities are facing deteriorating water quality in water bodies due to eutrophication and pollution from point-sources such as effluents from wastewater treatment facilities. With a growing population facing increased regulatory requirements, resource constraints, and financial challenges, communities are seeking more comprehensive and sustainable solutions to address multiple environmental challenges and maximize the recovery of water, energy, nutrients, and materials [1,4,5]. Municipal wastewater and other high strength organic wastes (HSOW) generated in cities are regarded as a resource for water, energy, and nutrients [6,7,8,9,10]
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