Comparison Study of Urban Wastewater Treatment Using Conventional Biologic Treatment and Submerged Membrane Bioreactor Processes

Today, the demand for clean water resources causes the rapid consumption of water and the finding of alternative water resources. The recovery and reuse of wastewater after treatment is important for water sustainability, and in recent years, the use of wastewater by completely or partially treating it has gained importance due to the water shortage that has emerged as a result of global climate change. It can be used in agricultural areas where water is frequently used, especially if the water content is suitable after treatment. In this study, the use of water from the treatment plant as irrigation water in agricultural areas was investigated. The effluent of the Mezitli and Kızkalesi Wastewater Treatment Plants in Mersin was used for this purpose. In the investigation of the usability of the treated water in agricultural irrigation, analyses were made for many pollutants. In order to examine the usability of wastewater after treatment in irrigation water, parameters such as total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and heavy metals were examined in order to meet the nutrient needs of plants. The analysis results were evaluated according to the agricultural irrigation water criteria specified in the Wastewater Treatment Plant Technical Procedures Communiqué. As a result, the analysis results of the treated water were compared with the limit values in the regulations, and it was evaluated that the treated water in the Mezitli Wastewater Treatment Plant did not meet the limit values of irrigation water usage criteria. However, it has been evaluated that the effluent from the Kızkalesi Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was treated with the MBR process, meets the limit values and therefore can be used for agricultural irrigation purposes. As a result, when the analysis results performed on treated water were compared with the Wastewater Treatment Plant Technical Procedures Communiqué irrigation water limit values, it was evaluated that the treated water of the Mezitli Wastewater Treatment Plant did not meet irrigation water limit values, but the treated water of the Kızkalesi Wastewater Treatment Plant with the MBR process met the irrigation water limit values and therefore could be used for agricultural irrigation purposes. The study results showed that the treated water in the Mezitli Wastewater Treatment Plant could not be used for agricultural irrigation, but the treated water in the Kızkalesi Wastewater Treatment Plant could be used for agricultural irrigation.