The Journal of
the Korean Society on Water Environment

The Journal of
the Korean Society on Water Environment

Bimonthly
  • ISSN : 2289-0971 (Print)
  • ISSN : 2289-098X (Online)
  • KCI Accredited Journal

Editorial Office

Title Survey of the Secondary Effluents from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants in Korea
Authors 김영철 ( Young Chul Kim ) ; 안익성 ( Ik Sung An ) ; 강민기 ( Min Gi Kang )
Page pp.158-168
ISSN 2289-0971
Keywords Municipal wastewater treatment plant; Treatment performance; Secondary effluent; Stability
Abstract In this study, the discharging effluents from have been 9 municipal wastewater treatment plants surveyed for 1 year-period. Statistics including probability distribution, cumulative occurrence concentration and other statistical parameters were presented. In addition, treatment performance and its stability were also discussed. Most of the plants, have an operational problem of high soluble organic content in the secondary effluent which may be associated with the integrated treatment of human and livestock manures. Nitrogen concentration in the effluents were usually higher during the period of summer and winter. It was found that this is mainly due to lack of the proper C/N ratio during the summer, or/and the effects of low temperature and less dilution by dry weather during the winter. Phosphorus concentration is sharply increased in June. Discussion with plant operators told that it is due to the dissolution of phosphate from the sludge accumulated in the primary settling tanks from the early spring to june. During this period, usually, sludge treatment line is highly overloaded with flush-outs of the sediments also stored in the bottom of combined sewer due to the low flow during winter season. Most of the plants can meet new effluent discharge limits of the nitrogen and phosphorus, and total coliform without further treatment.