PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The environmental problem targeted by LIFE AMIA is water scarcity and the low rate of wastewater reuse, along with the intensive energy consumption of conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and the pollution caused by micropollutants and pathogens that are not currently removed by conventional WWTPs.
OBJECTIVES
LIFE AMIA aimed to reuse wastewater in agricultural irrigation and aquifer recharge to protect the aquatic environment against pollution caused by pathogens and micropollutants not removed by conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), at significantly reduced energy requirements. To this end, a novel process consisting of an anaerobic-aerobic compact treatment, a microalgae raceway and a combination of adsorption and advanced oxidation process (AOP) was validated. The new concept of WWTP recovered nutrients (algae) and reduced the net energy consumption. Consequently, this reduced the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) by means of:
- anaerobic treatment that produces biogas and consumes less energy;
- microalgae treatment with low energy requirements; and
- adsorption & electro-oxidation technology supplied by renewable energy.
RESULTS
The treatment approach validated through LIFE AMIA project demonstrates the environmental benefits of a novel wastewater treatment technology that complies with the upcoming environmental policies in terms of water quality and energy efficiency. The employment of an anaerobic-aerobic treatment (A2C) is an effective way to remove a high load of COD while obtaining an energy source with the biogas stream. The addition of a microalgae treatment (HRAP) achieves a high nutrient removal from the water and the obtention of a new biomass stream with optimal qualities for its use as a biofertiliser. Finally, the advanced oxidation process (AOP) is effective for both priority substances and pathogens removal, achieving a clear effluent in a treatment powered by solar energy with very low waste production.
The project has validated the suitability of the treated water and of the resulting biomass (sludge and microalgae) in agriculture: the treated water was used in a greenhouse cultivation and in extended fields using different crops for irrigation, while sludge and algae were used as fertilisers with very good results, as they have micronutrients that enhance the soil and help carbon sequestration.
