THE FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF RECEIVING RIVERS UNDER THE REVISED URBAN WASTEWATER TREATMENT DIRECTIVE
Zsófia Kovács, Mónika Meiczinger, Tatjana Yuzsakova, Gvendolin Kulcsár, Piroska Tóth, Igor Cretescu
Pages: 54-62
Published: 18 Nov 2024
DOI: 10.62991/ES1996527016
Views: 1,095
Downloads: 104
Captures: 1 (Elsevier PlumX)
Abstract: The updated Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) represents a significant change in the European Union's strategy for better surface water quality management. Addressing the increasing pressures from urbanization, climate change, and industrial activities, the directive introduces stricter regulations and innovative approaches to enhance the treatment and achieve integrated wastewater management. The major goal is to pursue synergies with other EU legislation and to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), Drinking Water Directive. Key measures include enhanced nutrient removal processes, stricter monitoring of micropollutants, and promoting circular economy principles in water management. The main objective of this research is to examine the impact of the urban wastewater treatment plant on the receiving rivers, in the light of the abovementioned new regulations. Therefore, the effect of seasonality at different water levels in Veszprem city area (Hungary) was investigated for one year. The monitored water quality indicators were nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients, some specific pollutants containing heavy metal ions (such as Cd(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II)), and residual traces of pharmaceuticals, which were detected mainly in the spring and autumn seasons respectively, in the form of analgesics (e.g. painkillers).
Keywords: water quality, receiving waterbody, discharged treated wastewater, nitrogen and phosphorus-based nutrients, micropollutants
Cite this article: Zsófia Kovács, Mónika Meiczinger, Tatjana Yuzsakova, Gvendolin Kulcsár, Piroska Tóth, Igor Cretescu. THE FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF RECEIVING RIVERS UNDER THE REVISED URBAN WASTEWATER TREATMENT DIRECTIVE. Journal of International Scientific Publications: Ecology & Safety 18, 54-62 (2024). https://doi.org/10.62991/ES1996527016
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