Enteroviruses, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and other enteric viruses can survive wastewater treatment processes, even after chlorination, and are found in the final effluents. These viruses can be detected by cell culture techniques with observations for cytopathic effect (CPE). Recently molecular detection of viral nucleic acids has been used. Most viruses found in wastewater are RNA viruses and RT-PCR is a rapid and sensitive method to detect these single-strand RNA enteric viruses. This methodology does not distinguish between infectious and non-infectious viruses. Viruses inactivated in the...

The main objective of this project is to demonstrate that the technology of on line monitoring of waterborne metals by X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) at part per billion (ppb) and sub-ppb levels, which has been successfully applied in the power industry for several years, can be applied to water and wastewater treatment plants. A specially designed on line XRF monitor was assembled, tested in the laboratory, and used at the City of Alliance, Ohio Wastewater and Water Treatment Plants from July 2002 until March 2004. At various times through this project, the metals monitored included iron, copper,...

Polymer demand varies considerably for different digestion processes as well as the same digestion processes at different locations and the reasons for these differences are not known. The objectives of this research were to develop a mechanistic understanding for these differences. The differences were hypothesized to depend on both the amount of charge in a sludge sample and the characteristics of the polymer. The first phase of the research was aimed at establishing the component of the sludge that creates the polymer demand and the second phase was aimed at understanding the interactions...

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) microarrays are widely used for differential expression studies and for detection of virulence genes in pure bacterial cultures. Their use in complex microbial samples, such as soil and wastewater, has been relatively less studied. This report presents the results of a systematic effort to apply DNA microarrays to pathogen detection and to bacterial source tracking (BST) in wastewater. Parameters such as the method of DNA extraction from the samples, the type of immobilized probe (whether polymerase chain reaction [PCR] amplicons or oligonucleotides), the length...

The expanding use of decentralized wastewater management has resulted in an increased interest in small-scale wetland treatment systems. However, there is limited information available on the use, distribution of and performance of these small-scale systems. The purpose of this study was to address this knowledge gap by developing criteria for the feasibility, design, operation, and maintenance of small-scale wetland treatment systems. Monitoring data from the assembled small-scale wetland database was used to develop sizing criteria for FWS and VSB wetlands. Loading rates and corresponding...

In wastewater reclamation systems, microbiological monitoring is conducted to ensure that the users of reclaimed water are exposed to minimal risks from exposure to pathogens. Typically, utilities rely on the use of process controls to remove or inactivate pathogens. Routine monitoring of indicator organisms is conducted to evaluate overall process performance and for regulatory compliance. However, the effectiveness of individual treatment processes for removal of pathogens is dependent on process variables. This project was conducted to compare the effectiveness of biological treatment,...

The primary purpose of this research was to provide methods and tools that enable a water/ wastewater utility to develop and implement a performance measurement system based on a demonstrated proven approach. To achieve the purpose, the research was conducted in three phases: Core research on existing and applicable frameworks for performance measurement with experience from utilities and other government organizations, as well as outside business and industry, on leading practices in performance measurement. Steps to develop and implement performance measurement that uniquely fit...

The purpose of this study was to assess the economic feasibility of using large-scale, restored wetlands to assist publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) in meeting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) recommended criteria for nutrients, specifically, total nitrogen (2.18 mg/l) and total phosphorous (0.076 mg/l). The assessment compares the cost of nutrient control by advanced wastewater treatment technology to that of wetland treatment technology. The comparison was based on several economic factors: annual operating costs, average costs, marginal costs, and present value. To...

Microbial quality of water is a prime public health concern in today's world. To protect public health, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have established microbial pollution indicator standards and recommended routine monitoring of water for both total and fecal coliforms. However, the adequacy of current water quality standards to indicate the presence or absence of human pathogens is still questionable. For example, human viruses are more resistant to sewage treatment processes and environmental conditions than bacterial indicators and therefore may...

Numerous pharmaceutical substances and their metabolites have been identified in the aquatic environment. Due to their unique environmental fate and lack of appropriate biomonitoring techniques, the potential risk of these compounds to public and environmental health has largely been undetermined. Recent interest in quantifying pharmaceuticals in waste effluents and aquatic environments has identified the need to develop bioanalytical assays that will accurately reflect presence of these compounds.
The goal of this research was to investigate the use of DNA microarrays as a bioanalytical...