Effects of olive mill wastewater discharge on Alteereh membrane bioreactor (MBR) facility : challenges and solutions

Abstract

Unused reclaimed water is a wasted water resource. Currently, Palestine can show no single successful large-scale effluent reuse schemes in due to impaired effluent quality and socio-political issues. The membrane bioreactor (MBR), a novel modified activated sludge system (ASS) is a reliable and efficient technology that has become a feasible alternative to ASS for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment and reuse in Palestine. However, illicit industrial discharges of mineral and natural oils can initiate membrane fouling with consequent high operating costs. In this study, the performance of a full-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR), serving 20000 capita in Alteereh suburb of Ramallah city, was studied. During emergency operation, the MBR treatment efficacy for the removal of biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), and total nitrogen (Tot-N) from municipal wastewater was monitored and evaluated. Obtained results demonstrate a high quality of reclaimed water pertinent to COD, TSS, and tot-N concentration (10/10/10 mg/l, respectively) under variable operation conditions. Despite irregular and sudden industrial discharges, the MBR facility in Alteereh is a reliable and efficient technology for wastewater treatment and beneficial uses of reclaimed water in Palestine.