Evaluation of Treatment Efficiency for PoultrySlaughterhouse Wastewater

The poultry industry represents one of the most important sectors of the food industry; however, the technological processes involved generate considerable quantities of wastewater with a high pollution potential. Wastewater originating from poultry slaughterhouses contains high concentrations of organic matter, suspended solids, fats, proteins, and nutrients, which may have a significant impact on the environment if discharged without proper treatment. The aim of this study is to characterize wastewater generated in poultry slaughterhouses and to evaluate the efficiency of treatment methods commonly used in the food industry. The study is based on a realistic simulation model developed using data reported in the international scientific literature. The main physicochemical parameters of the wastewater were analyzed, including chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), total suspended solids (TSS), and fat content. The results indicate high levels of organic loading, which are characteristic of wastewater generated by the poultry processing industry. The application of a treatment system consisting of mechanical and biological stages resulted in a significant reduction of pollutant concentrations, with removal efficiencies exceeding 90% for most of the analyzed parameters. The results of the study confirm the necessity of implementing efficient wastewater treatment technologies in order to reduce environmental impact and to comply with regulations regarding wastewater discharge.