Organic Micropollutant Treatment: Processes and Legislation

This lecture covers the treatment processes for organic micropollutants (OMPs) in wastewater engineering, focusing on the removal efficiency and financing of OMP treatment installations. The instructor discusses the Swiss legislation defining maximal concentrations for medicines and pesticides in surface waters, as well as the choice of substances monitored for OMP removal. Various treatment methods, such as biological OMP removal and sorption to sludge, are explained in detail, emphasizing the impact of sludge age on removal efficiency. Additionally, the lecture addresses the challenges of applying certain treatment processes to communal wastewater due to cost, specificity, toxicity, and footprint considerations.