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EFFECT OF INFLUENT PHOSPHORUS REDUCTIONS ON GREAT LAKES SEWAGE TREATMENT COSTS 1
Author(s) -
Sonzogni William C.,
Heidtke Thomas M
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1986.tb01916.x
Subject(s) - phosphorus , eutrophication , environmental science , sewage , laundry , sewage treatment , per capita , environmental engineering , limiting , wastewater , nutrient , waste management , ecology , chemistry , engineering , demography , population , organic chemistry , sociology , biology , mechanical engineering
Controlling phosphorus sources, such as laundry detergents, for eutrophication control has been the aim of water resources management in many areas. However, the advisability of limiting phosphorus in raw wastewater continues to be debated. One aspect that has received little attention is the cost savings at sewage treatment plants practing phosphorus removal. It is estimated, based on available data and observations where detergent phosphorus has been reduced, that cost savings could range from about $0.20 to $1.70 per capita per year for an influent reduction of about 1.5 mg/L of phosphorus. These savings result mostly from a decrease in the amount of chemicals needed to remove phosphorus at the plant as well as a decrease in sludge production. For the U.S. Great Lakes basin, total annual savings amounting to several million dollars are projected given a basin‐wide ban. Although estimates of cost savings are presented for the Great Lakes basin, the results are applicable to other areas where phosphorus controls are being considered.