Investigation of Operating Costs at an Urban Wastewater Treatment Plant
Süreyya Altın, Ahmet Altın, Sevcan DOĞRU
Abstract
Objective: In recent years, thanks to improving technology and economic conditions urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) constructions have accelerated. Wastewater characteristics and treatment requirements usually are taken into account for the planning of wastewater treatment plants. But, operation costs also are important as the least investment costs for the sustainability of the treatment plant. The performance of equipment used in the treatment units during the operation is important as well as the wastewater characteristics for the accomplishment and sustainability of wastewater treatment plants designed. In this study, it has been aimed investigation as detailed of operation costs of an urban wastewater treatment plant that is designed as an advanced biological treatment for a settlement of 108.000 populations, and determination of real operation data. Methods: Electricity consumption, the chemical agent used, staff number, maintenance-repair, and other expenses at each unit of the plant have been considered at the operation cost analysis of the aforementioned plant. Firstly, the individual operating costs of each treatment unit were calculated according to its running conditions and equipment properties.