Evaluation of operation parameters of an advanced biological wastewater treatment plant

Water is one of the most important natural resources. In recent years, the increase in the need for drinking and utility water due to rapid population growth and industrialization causes rapid depletion of water resources. The amount of wastewater generated due to the increase in water consumption also increases, and the discharge of wastewater to receiving environments after treatment is not sufficient for the protection of water resources. Biological processes are widely used in domestic wastewater treatment. In the past years, the main purpose of domestic wastewater treatment was the removal of carbonaceous organic substances. However, domestic wastewater contains nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in addition to carbonaceous substances. Since these nutrients cause eutrophication problems in receiving environments, it has gained great importance to design and operate domestic wastewater treatment plants in a way that also removes nitrogen and phosphorus. In this thesis, the operating parameters of the Mustafakemalpaşa Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant were evaluated. Mustafakemalpaşa Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant operates under Bursa Metropolitan Municipality. In the thesis study, input and output samples were taken and analysed. For this purpose, COD, BOD, SS, TN, TP, and heavy metal analyses were performed on the samples taken at the time interval determined for each parameter during a year. From the results obtained from the study, it was determined that the COD, BOD, SS, TN, and TP removal efficiencies of the wastewater treatment plant were 87%, 95%, 93%, 51%, and 34%, respectively. Heavy metal presence was observed at trace levels throughout the year. The changes in the removal efficiency during the operation of the plant were determined and their reasons were explained.