Relationship between physico-chemical structure and UV disinfection of biological flocs in wastewater

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Proper disinfection is vital for reducing the microbial contamination present in wastewater, which if discharged untreated could pose a risk to public health. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is fast becoming a popular alternative to chlorine disinfection for the wastewater disinfection. However, the presence of suspended particles in wastewater adversely affects the efficiency of UV disinfection by harboring microbes and shielding them from UV light. This is particularly problematic for applications where stringent disinfection requirements have to be met; such as wastewater discharge to recreational waters and water reuse. Earlier studies in our lab have shown that UV disinfectability of suspended particles exhibited an inverse relationship with the particle size. However, in comparing particles from activated sludge and trickling filter processes, it was observed that trickling filter particles exhibited a higher resistance to UV disinfection across all size fractions. These observations suggest that the spatial distribution of coliform bacteria in a suspended particle as well as the composition of the matrix that surrounds these bacteria likely affect the UV response of the wastewater particle. The objective of this project is to develop a fundamental understanding of the effect of physical, chemical and microbial structure of suspended particles on the UV disinfection of municipal wastewaters. The outcome of this project will provide the basis to develop better treatment processes to meet disinfection criteria particularly for applications with stringent discharge standards. This project will result in a competitive advantage for Canada's environmental industry in general and Trojan Technology in particular. This proposal secures Canada's leadership in UV industry by allowing the development of better systems for stringent water qualities. The outcome of this project will help with protecting public health, improving the quality of life, and conserving water resources in Canada. HQP trained in this project will acquire cutting-edge skills in multi-disciplinary fields and will be ideal candidates for employment by the Canada's environmental industry, research institutions, and government organizations.