Books published by IWA Publishing

This book covers the principles and practices of technologies for the control of pollution originating from organic wastes (e.g. human faeces and urine, wastewater, solid wastes, animal manure and agro-industrial wastes) and the recycling of these organic wastes into valuable products such as fertilizer, biofuels, algal and fish protein and irrigated crops. Each recycling technology is described with respect to: ObjectivesBenefits and limitationsEnvironmental requirementsDesign criteria of the processUse of the recycled productsPublic health aspectsOrganic Waste RecyclingIncludes case studies, examples, exercises and questionsThis book is intended as a text or reference book for third or fourth year undergraduate students interested in environmental science, engineering and management, and graduate students working in the environment-related disciplines. It also serves as a reference text for policy makers, planners and professionals working in the environment and sustainable development fields.

This book will examine and analyse the problems inherent in integrated water management in transboundary conditions. Integrated Transboundary Water Management in Theory and Practice will provide new knowledge and policy recommendations based on the experiences and results of a major 3-year interdisciplinary research project (MANTRA-East). Drawing on extensive studies of the Lake Peipsi region in Estonia and Russia, the book explores the political and social issues surrounding transboundary water management and introduces the way that qualitative-quantitative-qualitative scenarios have been used in real-life situations. The book presents conclusions and policy recommendations for integrated transboundary water management that will be invaluable to water managers, policy-makers and academic researchers working in this rapidly expanding field.

Anaerobic biological treatment systems can offer a number of advantages over their aerobic counterparts. The operational costs associated with anaerobic systems are typically lower than with aerobic systems, and anaerobic systems also generate less waste sludge. In addition, the energy associated with the biogas produced during anaerobic biological treatment can potentially be recovered. However, to date, the use of conventional anaerobic biological systems for the treatment of dilute wastewaters has been relatively limited. The present study was designed to address this current knowledge gap. The specific objectives of the present study were (1) to assess and compare the treatment performance of external and a submerged membrane AnMBRs operated at different OLRs when treating a low strength municipal wastewater at a relatively low temperature, (2) to assess and compare the membrane filtration characteristics of mixed liquors generated in external and submerged membrane AnMBRs, (3) to assess and compare the membrane filtration characteristics of a mixed liquor in AnMBRs when filtering through inorganic and organic membranes, and (4) to assess and compare the membrane filtration characteristics of the mixed liquors generated in AnMBRs to the mixed liquor generated in an aerobic MBR operated with the same influent wastewater.

Activated Sludge and Aerobic Biofilm Reactors is the fifth volume in the series Biological Wastewater Treatment. The first part of the book is devoted to the activated sludge process, covering the removal of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus.A detailed analysis of the biological reactor (aeration tank) and the final sedimentation tanks is provided. The second part of the book covers aerobic biofilm reactors, especially trickling filters, rotating biological contractors and submerged aerated biofilters. For all the systems, the book presents in a clear and informative way the main concepts, working principles, expected removal efficiencies, design criteria, design examples, construction aspects and operational guidelines. About the series: The series is based on ahighly acclaimedsetof best selling textbooks. This international version is comprised by six textbooks giving a state-of-the-art presentation of the science and technology of biological wastewater treatment. Other titles in the series are: Volume 1: Waste Stabilisation Ponds; Volume 2: Basic Principles of Wastewater Treatment; Volume 3: Waste Stabilization Ponds; Volume 4: Anaerobic Reactors; Volume 6: Sludge Treatment and Disposal

Anaerobic Reactors is the forth volume in the series Biological Wastewater Treatment. The fundamentals of anaerobic treatment are presented in detail, including its applicability, microbiology, biochemistry and main reactor configurations. Two reactor types are analysed in more detail, namely anaerobic filters and especially UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) reactors. Particular attention is also devoted to the post-treatment of the effluents from the anaerobic reactors. The book presents in a clear and informative way the main concepts, working principles, expected removal efficiencies, design criteria, design examples, construction aspects and operational guidelines for anaerobic reactors.About the series: The seriesis based on ahighly acclaimedsetof best selling textbooks. This international version is comprised by six textbooks giving a state-of-the-art presentation of the science and technology of biological wastewater treatment. Other titles in the series are: Volume 1: Waste Stabilisation Ponds; Volume 2: Basic Principles of Wastewater Treatment; Volume 3: Waste Stabilization Ponds; Volume 5: Activated Sludge and Aerobic Biofilm Reactors; Volume 6: Sludge Treatment and Disposal

Waste Stabilisation Ponds is the third volume in the series Biological Wastewater Treatment. The major variants of pond systems are fully covered, namely: facultative ponds anaerobic ponds aerated lagoons maturation ponds The book presents in a clear and informative way the main concepts, working principles, expected removal efficiencies, design criteria, design examples, construction aspects, operational guidelines and sludge managment for pond systems. About the series: The series is based on ahighly acclaimedsetof best selling textbooks. This international version is comprised by six textbooks giving a state-of-the-art presentation of the science and technology of biological wastewater treatment. Other titles in theseries are: Volume 1: Waste Stabilisation Ponds Volume; 2: Basic Principles of Wastewater Treatment; Volume 4: Anaerobic Reactors; Volume 5: Activated Sludge and Aerobic Biofilm Reactors; Volume 6: Sludge Treatment and Disposal

The long-term viability and sustainability of biosolids land application is dependent on continuously earning stakeholder confidence, trust and support. This requires ongoing and effective engagement and communication with key stakeholders about the beneficial use of biosolids in their communities. The goal of the risk communications research was to develop processes, tools and materials to help biosolids managers conduct effective outreach and dialogue with key stakeholders in the communities where they operate, first on biosolids land application and its beneficial use, then on specific challenges such as communicating about potential health risks due to pathogens in biosolids. The researchers developed a state-of-the-science Strategic Risk Communications Process, tools and materials that can be adapted and used by biosolids program managers. The Process was applied and validated through two case studies, which involved in-depth research with landowners who receive biosolids and neighbors to biosolids land application sites and, in one case, community health officials.The research demonstrated that the key influence on these stakeholders' judgments on the acceptability of biosolids land application is the trust they have in the people who are producing the product, the people who are using the product and the people are overseeing and ensuring the safe appropriate use of biosolids. These stakeholders recognized the benefits and risks associated with biosolids land application and support its beneficial use. However, their support was not unconditional - they had questions about the long-term health and environmental impacts of such application. The process, tools and materials developed through this project will serve to address these and other key questions, while enabling biosolids managers to continually build stakeholder support for biosolids land application.

The strategic planning of urban water systems is a complex task. The Urban Water programme covered projects from various disciplines at 9 Swedish Universities, from 1999 to 2006. The projects developed a "e;toolbox"e; for strategic planning of drinking-, waste- and stormwater management, covering aspects such as the environment, health and hygiene, financing, organisation, households, and technical function. Strategic Planning of Sustainable Urban Water Management synthesises the results and presents a comprehensive approach, which includes not only the technical, economic and environmental aspects, but also the challenges of institutional capacity and public participation in the planning process. Furthermore, the experience from a number of case studies are summarised and can offer readers inspiration for their own planning situations.

This study focuses on sustainability impacts as wastewater treatment plants implement treatment technologies to meet increasingly stringent nutrient limits. The objective is to determine if a point of "e;diminishing returns"e; is reached where the sustainability impacts of increased levels of nutrient removal outweigh the benefits of better water quality. Five different hypothetical treatment trains at a nominal 10 mgd flow were developed to meet treatment targets that ranged from cBOD mode (Level 1) to four different nutrient removal targets. The nutrient removal targets ranged from 8 mg N/L; 1 mg P/L (Level 2) to the most stringent at <2 mg N/L; <0.02 mg P/L (Level 5). Given that sustainability is a broad term, the industry-accepted three pillars of sustainability were evaluated and discussed, and particular emphasis was placed on the environmental and economic pillars. The following variables received the most attention: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a water quality surrogate that reflects potential algal growth, capital and operational costs, energy demand, and consumables such as chemicals, gas, diesel, etc. The results from the GHG emissions metric are shown below. Note that biogas cogeneration is represented by negative values as biogas production can be used to offset energy demands. The nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions values are based on the average biological nutrient removal (BNR) and non-BNR plants evaluated in the United States national survey by Ahn et al. (2010b). The error bars represent the data range of the national survey.The GHG emissions results suggest that a point of diminishing return is reached at Level 4 (3 mg N/L; 0.1 mg P/L). The GHG emissions show a steady increase from Levels 1 to 4, followed by a 65% increase when moving from Level 4 to 5. Despite a 70% increase in GHGs, the discharged nutrient load only decreases by 1% by going from Level 4 to 5. The primary contributors to GHG emissions are energy related (aeration, pumping, mixing). The GHG emissions associated with chemical use increases for the more stringent nutrient targets that required chemical treatment in addition to biological nutrient removal. In terms of cost, the total project capital cost increases approximately one-third from $9.3 million to $12.7 million for changing from Level 1 to 2, followed by a more than doubling in cost when changing from Level 1 to 5. Total project capital costs in this report are for a Greenfield plant. The operational cost increase between levels is more pronounced than total project capital cost with more than five-times increase from Level 1 to 5 ($250/MG treated to $1,370/MG treated, respectively).This report focused on in-plant (point source) options for nutrient removal and the implications for cost and sustainability. Other approaches, such as addressing non-point sources, could be added to the assessment. Rather than focusing strictly on point source dischargers and requiring Level 4 or 5 treatments, Level 3 or 4 treatments complimented with best management practices of non-point sources might be a more sustainable approach at achieving comparable water quality.

Integrated River Basin Governance - Learning from International Experience is designed to help practitioners implement integrated approaches to river basin management (IRBM). It aims to help the coming generation of senior university students learn how to design IRBM and it provides current researchers and the broader water community with a resource on river basin management. Drawing on both past and present river basin and valley scale catchment management examples from around the world, the book develops an integration framework for river basin management. Grounded in the theory and literature of natural resources management and planning, the thrust of the book is to assist policy and planning, rather than extend knowledge of hydrology, biophysical modelling or aquatic ecology. Providing a classification of river basin organizations and their use, the book also covers fundamental issues related to implementation: decision-making. institutions and organizations. information management. participation and awareness. legal and economic issues. integration and coordination processes. building human capacity. Integrated River Basin Governance focuses on the social, economic, organizational and institutional arrangements of river basin management. Methods are outlined for implementing strategic and regional approaches to river basin management, noting the importance of context and other key elements which have been shown to impede success. The book includes a range of tools for river basin governance methods, derived from real life experiences in both developed and developing countries. The successes and failures of river basin management are discussed, and lessons learned from both are presented. The ebook for this title is available to download for free on the WaterWiki.

CARE-W is a joint European initiative to develop a framework for water network rehabilitation. This book consists of software, dealing with fundamental instruments for estimating the condition of water networks, including tools to assess performance indicators (PI), to predict pipe failures (FAIL) and to calculate water supply reliability (REL).

Marking the end of the fifth phase of UNESCO's International Hydrological Programme, this book brings together scientific and professional players to address the critical issues in water management. It investigates themes such as the challenges of urban water management, infrastructure integration issues, and the paradigms in water supply.

During wet weather events, separate and combined wastewater collection systems deliver substantial amounts of storm water runoff to wastewater treatment plants. Often these flows inundate collection systems and treatment works creating bypasses of untreated or partially treated wastewater. The federal Clean Water Act (CWA), its amendments, and associated regulations have been attempting to address these concerns for nearly 30 years. These regulations, coupled with the wastewater treatment standards under the CWA, are posing immense challenges to the owner/operators of wastewater systems, who are also driven to provide the most cost-effective service to customers. This project (WERF Project 00-CTS-6, "e;Best Practices for the Treatment of Wet Weather Wastewater Flows"e;) undertook a review of currently available technologies to improve the performance and efficiency of wet weather wastewater treatment and also identified potentially beneficial technologies and methodologies that are emerging in this area. The project report includes the types and characteristics of current technologies and methodologies available to ensure treatment of wet weather wastewater flows. The following are the categories of technologies are assessed in report: vortex separation, enhanced clarification, operational enhancements, flushing systems, and disinfection.

Biological denitrification by heterotrophic bacteria is common in the wastewater industry in the U.S. and in drinking water processing in Europe. To facilitate heterotrophic denitrification, organic compounds such as methanol, ethanol and acetic acid are added to provide a carbon source for the bacteria. The resulting organic carbon residual may create problems with chlorination. The addition of these carbon compounds is expensive and results in added sludge production. This study focused on the use of autotrophic hydrogen oxidizing bacteria for denitrification. The method transfers hydrogen gas to solution via microporous hollow fiber membranes. Typically, gases are supplied to a system using conventional bubble diffusers. The conventional bubble aeration system has a low gas transfer efficiency, and, as a result, the cost of dissolving the required amount of gas is very high. In this study, microporous hollow fiber membranes were employed to supply hydrogen gas to hydrogen oxidizing autotrophic bacteria. Laboratory scale membrane modules were constructed and mass transfer studies were carried out to develop the design correlations for hydrogen gas transfer. A mixed culture was obtained and acclimated for batch denitrification studies. Both Sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide were used to deliver inorganic carbon. Bench scale continuous flow biofilm reactors containing plastic media were operated to remove nitrate from water. The required hydrogen gas was supplied at a constant rate via gas transfer modules, containing sealed end microporous hollow fiber membranes. The reactors were optimized for removal of nitrate and nitrite by varying the recycle ratios and hydraulic detention time. Experimental results indicated the presence of hydrogen oxidizing denitrifiers in wastewater sludge. Adequate pH control was possible and the pH averaged around 6.95. Gas transfer studies indicated that hydrogen transfer was primarily controlled by liquid film diffusion. Hydrogen gas was successfully delivered to the reactor via the hollow fiber membrane gas transfer module. Nitrate and hydrogen concentration measurements indicated that the system did not experience hydrogen limitations at detention times of 3.25 hours or greater. The use of hollow fiber membrane module appears to be a viable technology for transferring hydrogen gas to water. The research results in this report provide valuable information for pilot and full-scale studies for the water/wastewater community focusing on membrane processes for autotrophic denitrification.

The objectives of this project were to develop (1) a better understanding of the effects of storage on reclaimed water quality, (2) a methodology to help understand/predict water quality changes during storage, and (3) effective management tools for minimizing water quality problems. The research team reviewed approximately 120 published articles, conducted a gray literature survey to analyze the impact of surface storage on reclaimed water quality. The team also evaluated federal guidelines for reclaimed water and developed a brief update on what individual states are doing. It was determined that state and federal water quality objectives can be met at the treatment site. However, because of the seasonal nature of reclaimed water use, water often must be stored in open reservoirs, where changes occur that can affect water quality. The nature of these changes was evaluated, including physical, chemical, and biological processes. The research team evaluated several reservoir management strategies to improve water quality, and reviewed water quality models to assess their applicability for open reclaimed water storage reservoirs. It also developed procedures to evaluate and select management strategies and reservoir water, along with matrices to distill the information learned in the study into a useful format for risk assessors and water quality managers. These tools will enable users to readily equate their specific storage reservoirs to representative examples, and to identify actions most applicable to their specific reclaimed water systems.

The observed concentrations of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in raw wastewater confirm that municipal wastewater represents the main disposal pathway for the PPCPs consumed in households, hospitals and industry. This book covers various aspects of the fate and removal of PPCPs in the whole water cycle.

Over 90% of bacterial biomass exists in the form of biofilms. The ability of bacteria to attach to surfaces and to form biofilms often is an important competitive advantage for them over bacteria growing in suspension. Some biofilms are "e;good"e; in natural and engineered systems; they are responsible for nutrient cycling in nature and are used to purify waters in engineering processes. Other biofilms are "e;bad"e; when they cause fouling and infections of humans and plants. Whether we want to promote good biofilms or eliminate bad biofilms, we need to understand how they work and what works to control them. Mathematical Modeling of Biofilms provides guidelines for the selection and use of mathematical models of biofilms. The whole range of existing models - from simple analytical expressions to complex numerical models - is covered. The application of the models for the solution of typical problems is demonstrated, and the performance of the models is tested in comparative studies. With the dramatic evolution of the computational capacity still going on, modeling tools for research and practice will become more and more significant in the next few years. This report provides the foundation to understand the models and to select the most appropriate one for a given use. Mathematical Modeling of Biofilms gives a state-of-the-art overview that is especially valuable for educating students, new biofilm researchers, and design engineers. Through a series of three benchmark problems, the report demonstrates how to use the different models and indicates when simple or highly complex models are most appropriate. This is the first report to give a quantitative comparison of existing biofilm models. The report supports model-based design of biofilm reactors. The report can be used as basis for teaching biofilm-system modeling. The report provides the foundation for researchers seeking to use biofilm modeling or to develop new biofilm models. Scientific and Technical Report No.18

This book provides concise, up-to-date and easy-to-follow information on an increasingly important area of hydro-environmental analysis and management. It covers important aspects of both surface and subsurface water quality management, as they are inseparable components of aquifers and the flow in physical domains occur in combination with the other. However, the main emphasis of the book is on the practical development and application of computer based algorithms, via appropriate schemes, to realistic problems. Mathematical theories are not discussed as they can be found in many expert books. All sections of the book include detailed descriptions of practical examples. It also, uniquely, gives explanations regarding the formulation of practical management schedules and tools for hydro-environmental systems. There is a lack of books dealing with the practical aspects of the application of computer modelling techniques to complex hydrodynamical phenomena, and this book has been written for professionals and researchers, especially those who are not trained mathematicians who, nevertheless, need to make managerial decisions.Computational Methods in the Management of Hydro-Environmental Systemswill be an invaluable source of information for post-graduate level researchers and decision-makers who need to apply numerical modelling techniques to investigate hydrodynamic phenomena andpollutants dispersion in natural aquatic systems. Professionals and engineers, who now need to gain insights about the working of computer techniques for choosing appropriate schemes and applying them to realistic problems, will also value this work. Masters' level and final-year graduate students are also expected to benefit from the book.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) microarrays are widely used for differential expression studies and for detection of virulence genes in pure bacterial cultures. Their use in complex microbial samples, such as soil and wastewater, has been relatively less studied. This report presents the results of a systematic effort to apply DNA microarrays to pathogen detection and to bacterial source tracking (BST) in wastewater. Parameters such as the method of DNA extraction from the samples, the type of immobilized probe (whether polymerase chain reaction [PCR] amplicons or oligonucleotides), the length and method of immobilization of oligonucleotides, the method of DNA labelling, the combination of PCR amplification with microarray hybridization and the choice of PCR targets have been optimized. Results indicate that the combination of PCR followed by microarray hybridization can detect pathogens in wastewater samples down to a 0.1% detection limit. The use of microarrays for bacterial source tracking gave promising results on human samples, however the probes used in this study only provided signals for general indicators of fecal contamination when used on samples of animal origin. The overall conclusion is that microarray technology has not yet reached the stage of routine use for microbiological analysis of wastewater. This report demonstrates: That the hybridization of total genomic DNA on microarrays has a high detection limit, of the order of 10^7 genomes; That the use of long oligonucleotides or PCR amplicons from 16S rDNA, or cpn60 probes has insufficient specificity to differentiate several important pathogens, especially within the Enterobacteriaceae family; That the use of short oligonucleotide immobilized probes coupled with PCR amplification of conserved genes, such as 16S rDNA, cpn60, or wecE, can detect pathogens in wastewater down to a 0.1% (DNA weight/weight) concentration; and The potential of DNA microarrays in BST, even if further research work remains necessary to achieve this goal.

The main objective of this project is to demonstrate that the technology of on line monitoring of waterborne metals by X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) at part per billion (ppb) and sub-ppb levels, which has been successfully applied in the power industry for several years, can be applied to water and wastewater treatment plants. A specially designed on line XRF monitor was assembled, tested in the laboratory, and used at the City of Alliance, Ohio Wastewater and Water Treatment Plants from July 2002 until March 2004. At various times through this project, the metals monitored included iron, copper, chromium, nickel, zinc, manganese, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead. The results indicate that XRF on line monitoring of waterborne metals at trace levels is feasible for the influent and effluent of water treatment plants, and the effluent of wastewater treatment plants.

Enteroviruses, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and other enteric viruses can survive wastewater treatment processes, even after chlorination, and are found in the final effluents. These viruses can be detected by cell culture techniques with observations for cytopathic effect (CPE). Recently molecular detection of viral nucleic acids has been used. Most viruses found in wastewater are RNA viruses and RT-PCR is a rapid and sensitive method to detect these single-strand RNA enteric viruses. This methodology does not distinguish between infectious and non-infectious viruses. Viruses inactivated in the treatment process can be detected but do not pose a public health threat. Methods are needed to quickly distinguish the infectious viruses from inactivated viruses, both of which may be present in effluents. In this project we investigated the use of a method that combines cell culture and molecular detection. If a sample contains viruses that replicate in cell culture even without CPE, the proof of replication can be demonstrated by the detection of a replicative form (RF) in cell culture that is only present during replication of infectious RNA viruses.

The main objective of this research was to investigate the capabilities of three chemical oxidation processes as pretreatment technologies with the goal of making wastewaters containing persistent organic compounds amenable to biotreatment. The processes investigated are ozonation, ultraviolet radiation/ hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) and Fenton reaction. The studies were focused on two organic compounds: Dichloro diethyl ether (DCDE) and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE). Synthetic solutions, and a real groundwater and an industrial wastewater were used for experimentation. The experimental method involved oxidation of solutions of the target organic compounds at various percentages by the three oxidation processes. The pre-oxidized solutions of the organic compounds were subjected to biodegradation and toxicity studies. Four different respirometric tests (two Short-term, one Mid-term, and one Long-term) and a bench scale Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) test were used for full assessment of the effectiveness of the chemical oxidation processes. Activated sludge, as acclimated and non-acclimated to the organic compounds, was used as the test culture.

Thermal enrichment of coldwater streams by heated stormwater in summer months is often overlooked and even exacerbated by traditional management practices that typically account for flow moderation and pollutant removal only. Initiated in 1999, this study evaluated and identified innovative and traditional approaches to moderate this temperature impact by monitoring and analyzing the hydrologic and thermal regimes of an urban stormwater treatment system consisting of two traditional wet detention ponds and an enhanced natural wetland. Data analysis clearly shows temperature increases in the open detention ponds and the ability of the wetland to mitigate this thermal enrichment. Event-based thermal loading and temperature regime analysis indicated flow reduction via infiltration and effective vegetative cover in the wetland were the primary mechanisms for mitigating stormwater thermal enrichment. Using the concept of temperature equivalent, we also established the locations and strength of thermal enrichment areas. A heat transfer model was developed to simulate runoff temperature. Results indicated that rainfall characteristics, temperature difference between rainfall and the ground surface, and the runoff flow depth were the most important factors affecting runoff temperature.