Wastewater Treatment Plant Study and Reuse Assessment, Case study: Al-Khobar Treatment Plant, KSA

Abstract

Background: Water conservation activities are a measure for human being development. Wastewater reuse techniques are one of the most positive water conservation applications. Objective: The current study aimed at studying Al-Khobar wastewater treatment plant and to assess the possibilities of the reclaimed wastewater reuse, securing the safe environment and human health. Results: The study of Al-Khobar treatment plant efficiency proved the suitability of using the treated wastewater as a source of water for irrigation. The Plant recorded removal percentages for the TSS that were ranged between 86.5- 89.6%, the COD removal percentages were ranged between 74.8-78.4%, while for the BOD the records for removal percentages ranged between 94.2-97.4%. The total Coliforms, and TC showed the MPN geomean as 7.49 x 102 unit/100 ml; in the chlorinated final effluent; with 4 logs removal. Also, the fecal coliform, FC, have recorded four logs down, 4.96 x 102 unit/100 ml in the final chlorinated effluent. The coliphage, CP, have recorded a geomean of 0.64 x 102 unit/100 ml in the final treated-chlorinated effluent. Conclusion and Recommendations: The reuse of the reclaimed wastewater of Al-Khobar WWTP, according to the FAO Guidelines recorded positive enviroeconomic impacts upon the environment and human health, while the reclaimed wastewater failed microbiologically according to the Saudi’ standards. It is recommended to apply a portion of the secondary treated waste to an advanced treatment, e.g., reverse osmosis, and then to be mixed to the rest of the waste before subjected to the final chlorination.