Lead PIs

Project Summary

The focus of this proposed research (year-long, desk study) is small-scale, Irish Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP). One important output will be the development of whole life-cycle models and a decision support toolkit for WWTP stakeholders that ultimately places the environment at the centre of decision making. Building on existing research (2012-W-MS-10), the objectives of this study are:

1. Conduct and collate detailed research into the state-of-the-art of sustainable, holistic, low energy, solutions for the wastewater treatment industry, including the specific technologies that address the challenges of indigenous, smaller wastewater treatment plants.
2. Based on the state-of-the-art and current, ongoing research, assess operational efficiency and effectiveness opportunities and solutions for existing plants.
3. Assess the solutions (novel design technologies and novel solutions for existing plants) from the Irish perspective (size and spatial distribution of plants, climate and seasonal fluctuations, influent variations etc.).
4. Based on these findings, develop life-cycle models for pilot testing and demonstration.
5. Develop toolkit for model selection, implementation, life-cycle costing and environmental impact.