ABSTRACT
Eutrophication is a key driver causing a number of pressing environmental problems including reductions in light penetration and increases in harmful algal blooms. It is known as that wastewater is an important point source for N and P loading in many aquatic environments [1]. In nutrient-sensitive estuaries, municipal and industrial WWTPs are required to implement more advanced treatment methods in order to meet increasingly stringent effluent guidelines for nutrients. According to literature, biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes that incorporate coupled ni-
trification/denitrification have the potential to remove TN down to about 5-12 mg/L, in selected cases, down to 3 mg/L. The TN concentration in effluent is known as less than 10 mg/L at most inland municipal WWTPs [2]. However, it is thought difficult to remove bacteria effectively from the effluent of WWTPs using the conventional activated sludge (CAS) process without a disinfection facility.
