Management and Performance Analysis of Textile Effluent Treatment Plants in Laundries of The Local Productive Arrangement of Pernambuco

Objective: The present study aimed to assess 10 laundries for compliance with Brazilian legislation Theoretical Framework: The Local Productive Arrangement (APL) of Pernambuco plays a crucial role in job creation and economic growth in the state. However, the jeans beneficiation process consumes a significant amount of water and involves the use of various chemicals, which generate effluents with high organic loads, color, and toxicity. This has caused serious environmental problems. The issue is exacerbated during prolonged drought periods and by intermittent river flows, which reduce the natural self-purification capacity of the rivers. Method: A total of 334 influent and effluent samples were collected. All the laundries studied employed physicochemical treatment processes (flocculation followed by sedimentation). Results and Discussion: The WWTPs proved to be efficient in the removal of settleable solids, demonstrating that the coagulation and flocculation processes are effective for this purpose, even in scenarios with management deficiencies. On the other hand, poor operation of the treatment plants has resulted in other parameters, such as pH, oils, and greases, being out of compliance with current legislation. The efficiency in reducing BOD was highly inconsistent, with fluctuations ranging from over 90% efficiency to negative values, indicating significant operational issues. High concentrations of organic matter can compromise oxygen levels in the receiving bodies. It is essential to intensify monitoring and improve treatment processes to mitigate negative environmental impacts.