Disinfecting with Ultraviolet Radiation

by David Kirkwold, Environmental Engr. and Assoc.; Toltz, King, Duvall, Anderson and Associates, Inc., St. Paul, Minn.,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1984, Vol. 54, Issue 12, Pg. 62-64


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

The benefits of disinfecting treated effluent to meet discharge permits with ultraviolet radiation instead of ozone or chlorine are that it does not produce toxic chemical residuals like chlorine, which could harm aquatic life in receiving waters; is safer than chemical disinfecting agents because there are no chemicals to spill or gas to release; and water cannot be overtreated regardless of the ultraviolet does transmitted to it. Equally important, the cost of disinfecting with ultraviolet radiation is cheaper than ozonation or chlorination at this wastewater plant in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Operating costs are $.02 per 1,000 gallons treated as opposed to an estimated $.04 to .08 per 1,000 gallons for chlorination/dechlorination and $.10 to .15 per 1,000 gallons for ozonation. And, since June 1983, when data first became available, the effluent BOD, TSS, NH₃-N and fecal coliform levels have been below its NPDES permits maximums of 5 mg/1 BOD, 5 mg/1 TSS, 1 mg/1 NH₃-N and 200 MPN/100 ml fecal coliform.

Subject Headings: Water treatment | Chlorine | Chemical treatment | Water discharge | Ultraviolet radiation | Pollutants | Permits

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