Le colmatage des membranes reste la principale limitation pour le développement du bioréacteur à membrane (BAM). Dans cette thèse, l'objectif principal se concentre sur les effets des micropolluants pharmaceutiques qui se retrouvent dans les eaux usées domestiques sur le colmatage de la membrane du BAM. Carbamazépine (CBZ), un médicament antiépileptique, a été choisi. Les effets de la CBZ sur le colmatage du BAM ont été étudiés de deux manières: un pic de pollution pour étudier les effets des pics de CBZ à court terme sur le pouvoir colmatant et une pollution continue pour examiner les effets de CBZ à long terme sur le colmatage du BAM. Les résultats ont montré que, pendant 3 heures contact avec CBZ de 100 µg L-1, le pouvoir colmatant des boues activées a augmenté en raison de l'augmentation des protéines de 100-1000 kDa dans le surnageant, ce qui pourrait être complètement retenu par la membrane du BAM et les membranes utilisées dans les essais de filtrabilité. L'augmentation des protéines de 100-1000 kDa dans le surnageant peut probablement être causé par la décomposition bactérienne face aux médicaments. L'effet réduit a été observée pour les boues provenant du BAM fonctionné sous la charge organique plus élevée. Pendant le contact continue, la vitesse du colmatage plus élevée a été observé après l'addition en continu de CBZ dans le BAM (90 µg L-1 dans l'alimentation), qui pourrait être lié à l'augmentation importante des protéines de 10-100 kDa dans le surnageant. Des protéines de 10-100 kDa s’accumulent dans le dépôt de la membrane du BAM, modifient de la structure de dépôt et changent les caractéristiques de rétention de BAM. L'augmentation des protéines de 10-100 kDa a probablement été causée par la réaction de défense des bactéries face en permanence des médicaments. Légère inhibition de l'activité microbienne a été trouvée plusieurs jours après l'addition de la CBZ dans le BAM, puis il a été stabilisé à un certain niveau en raison de l'acclimatation des boues au stress pharmaceutique. Similaire, l'augmentation significative de la concentration en protéine a été observée au début plusieurs jours après l'addition de la CBZ dans le BAM, puis retourne à son niveau initial. Aucun changement significatif de la taille des flocs des boues et de la concentration en polysaccharides dans le surnageant n’a été constaté au cours de la période de contact continu à long terme. Cette étude pourrait contribuer à améliorer la compréhension des interactions complexes entre les micropolluants pharmaceutiques, boues activées et le colmatage du BAM / Membrane fouling still remains the main limitation for the development of membrane bioreactor (MBR). In this thesis, the main objective focuses on the effects of pharmaceutical micropollutants which are frequently found in domestic wastewater on MBR fouling. Carbamazepine (CBZ), an anti-epileptic drug, was chosen in this study due to its occurrence in domestic wastewater and persistency in MBR process. The effects of CBZ on MBR fouling were investigated in two different ways of contact, i.e. short-term peak contact and long-term continuous contact. The results showed that during only 3 hours contact with 100 µg L-1 CBZ, the fouling propensity of the sludge increased due to the increase in 100-1000 kDa protein-like substances in the supernatant, which could be completely retained by the MBR membrane and the membranes used in the filterability tests. The increase of 100-1000 kDa protein-like compounds in the supernatant may probably be caused by the bacterial decay when facing the pharmaceutical stress. Besides, the reduced effect was observed for sludge obtained from MBR operated under higher organic loading rate. During the long-term continuous contact, significantly higher MBR fouling rate was observed after the continuous addition of CBZ in the MBR via the feed (90 µg L-1 CBZ in the feed), which could be related to the significant increase of 10-100 kDa protein-like compounds in the supernatant after addition of CBZ. The 10-100 kDa protein-like compounds could accumulate in the biocake, which was formed on MBR membrane surface, modify the biocake structure and change the retention characteristics of MBR. The increase of 10-100 kDa protein-like compounds was probably caused by the defensive response of bacteria when continuously facing the pharmaceutical stress. Slight inhibition of microbial activity was found several days after addition of CBZ in MBR, and then it was stabilized to some constant level due to the acclimation of sludge to the pharmaceutical stress. Similar, significant increase of protein concentration was observed at the beginning several days after addition of CBZ in MBR, then returned to the initial level. No significant change in sludge floc size and polysaccharide concentration in supernatant was found during the long-term continuous contact period. This study could help to enhance the understanding of complex interactions among pharmaceutical micropollutants, activated sludge and MBR fouling

This thesis investigates innovative effluent point-source permitting approaches from an integrated urban wastewater system (UWWS) perspective, and demonstrates that three proposed permitting approaches based on optimal operational or control strategies of the wastewater system are effective in delivering multiple and balanced environmental benefits (water quality, GHG emissions) in a cost-efficient manner. Traditional permitting policy and current flexible permitting practices are first reviewed, and opportunities for permitting from an integrated UWWS perspective are identified. An operational strategy-based permitting approach is first developed by a four-step permitting framework. Based on integrated UWWS modelling, operational strategies are optimised with objectives including minimisation of operational cost, variability of treatment efficiency and environmental risk, subject to compliance of environmental water quality standards. As trade-offs exist between the three objectives, the optimal solutions are screened according to the decision-makers’ preference and permits are derived based on the selected solutions. The advantages of this permitting approach over the traditional regulatory method are: a) cost-effectiveness is considered in decision-making, and b) permitting based on operational strategies is more reliable in delivering desirable environmental outcomes. In the studied case, the selected operational strategies achieve over 78% lower environmental risk with at least 7% lower operational cost than the baseline scenario; in comparison, the traditional end-of-pipe limits can lead to expensive solutions with no better environmental water quality. The developed permitting framework facilitates the derivation of sustainable solutions as: a) stakeholders are involved at all points of the decision-making process, so that various impacts of the operation of the UWWS can be considered, and b) multi-objective optimisation algorithm and visual analytics tool are employed to efficiently optimise and select high performance operational solutions. The second proposed permitting approach is based on optimal integrated real time control (RTC) strategies. Permits are developed by a three-step decision-making analysis framework similar to the first approach. An off-line model-based predictive aeration control strategy is investigated for the case study, and further benefits (9% lower environmental risk and 0.6% less cost) are achieved by an optimal RTC strategy exploiting the dynamic assimilation capacity of the environment. A similar permitting approach, but simpler than the first two methods, is developed to derive operational/control strategy-based permits by an integrated cost-risk analysis framework. Less comprehensive modelling and optimisation skills are needed as it couples a dynamic wastewater system model and a stochastic permitting model and uses sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis to optimise operational/control strategies, hence this approach can be a good option to develop risk-based cost-effective permits without intensive resources. Finally, roadmaps for the implementation of the three innovative permitting approaches are discussed. Current performance-based regulations and self-monitoring schemes are used as examples to visualise the new way of permitting. The viability of the proposed methods as alternative regulation approaches are evaluated against the core competencies of modern policy-making.

Biofouling is the undesired biofilm formation on surfaces at a liquid interface that interferes with the affected substrate’s function. It is a ubiquitous problem in many engineered systems in industry. Biofouling causes contamination, essential damage to materials, and impedances to crucial industrial processes. These adverse effects lead to health hazards, gross increase in energy consumption, and significant decrease in overall productivity, all of which result in higher operational costs and environmentally destructive consequences. Interest in discovering effective alternatives to conventional antimicrobial agents has gained momentum. Current anti-biofouling strategies have significant disadvantages, such as the generation of toxic by-products, indiscriminate corrosion of surrounding materials and the environment, and promotion of resistance development. Alternative methods of controlling biofouling are in high demand because present-day solutions are far from sustainable. Plant secondary metabolites are promising candidates as novel biocides because they are (i) highly effective in killing microbes while being non-toxic to humans at antimicrobially active concentrations, and (ii) safer and non-damaging to the natural environment. Herein, antimicrobial efficacies of five plant-derived compounds were assessed against various species of planktonic bacteria as well as biofilms at various maturity stages. Allyl isothiocyanate (AIT) and cinnamaldehyde (CNAD) displayed the greatest inhibitory effects against all planktonic species tested. The minimum inhibitory concentration is defined as the lowest concentration of a substance that inhibits visible microbial growth, and the MBC is defined as the lowest concentration at which 99.9% of the population is killed. AIT yielded MICs of 156.25 mg/L and MBCs of 156.25 to 312.5 mg/L, and CNAD yielded MICs of 78.125 to 156.25 mg/L and MBCs of 78.125 to 312.5 mg/L. Furthermore, 312.5 mg/L AIT and 625 mg/L CNAD successfully reduced > 80% of biofilm adhesion as compared to negative controls. AIT and CNAD were therefore further evaluated extensively. Hindered by their volatile nature and immiscibility, plant secondary metabolites typically do not reach their maximum antimicrobial capacity due to low bioavailability. Thus, they would benefit from being protected and delivered in nano-sized carriers. In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were evaluated as carriers for AIT and CNAD delivery. In one, employment of MSNs as carriers doubled the antibacterial efficacy of free form AIT and increased kill rate of free form CNAD by six times. Furthermore, free form AIT caused ~70% of 60 day-old biofilm to detach, whereas AIT-loaded MSNs essentially removed all of the biofilm. As for CNAD, its free form had no significant effect, whereas CNAD-loaded MSNs caused ~80% reduction in biofilm biomass. MSNs were further engineered to incorporate lactose pore caps to achieve specific, on-command delivery. These MSNs were designed to respond to external stimuli intelligently, with gatekeepers that degrade only in the vicinity of certain target bacteria that are able to metabolise lactose. Capped AIT-loaded MSNs reduced bacterial viability by ~85% as compared to the negative control, while capped CNAD-loaded versions reduced viability by ~40%. This stimuli-triggered MSN delivery technology would be more sustainable than current methods because resistance development would be lowered, and the delivery vehicles could be recycled and reused. Herein, the complete AIT- or CNAD-loaded, lactose-capped MSNs delivery complex proved to be an effective and environmentally conscientious system for killing unwanted bacteria.

Hydrodynamic vortex separators (HDVSs) are used in wastewater treatment to separate solids from wastewater. The aim of this research is to devise a CFD-based methodology that optimises their performance through modification of their design. A validation study is performed to assess whether OpenFOAM can be used to reliably model the flow of water in an HDVS. The results of the simulations are compared with experimental readings, showing a good fit when the appropriate boundary layer height and turbulence model are used. The continuous adjoint method is employed to derive the adjoint equations, associated with the drift flux equations used to model the flow of wastewater. They are specialised to the typical boundary conditions of ducted flows and are coded using OpenFOAM. An optimal design is found for boundary conditions, corresponding to typical values used in practice, and is shown to improve the performance of a simplified initial design by 40%. This optimal design is subsequently subjected to a different hydraulic loading rate and dispersed-phase volume fraction at the inlet, to assess the performance variation in these circumstances. Though the optimal design removes all the solids when the dispersed-phase fraction is reduced at the inlet, initial results suggest that the design is sensitive to hydraulic loading rate and further tests are recommended before drawing more explicit conclusions. This is the first time the adjoint drift flux equations have been derived. It is also the first time they have been coded and applied to an HDVS to optimise its performance. The methodology developed in this thesis could be applied to any device that separates solids from liquid or two immiscible liquids, in order to optimise its performance.

Les performances des bassins de stations d'épuration sont directement liées au transfert d'oxygène de bulles d'air généralement insufflées par des aérateurs vers des micro-organismes capables de détériorer certains polluants des eaux usées. Une prédiction précise du transfert de matière de l'oxygène dans ces bassins reste toutefois encore délicate. L'objectif de cette thèse est de développer des outils d'analyse aux interfaces afin de mieux appréhender localement les différents mécanismes régissant le transfert de matière gaz/liquide. Cette simplification se base sur l'étude du transfert d'oxygène : (i) pour une bulle millimétrique isolée, (ii) dans un liquide au repos, (iii) sans particules solides (système diphasique). À l'aide de techniques de visualisation, il est possible d'évaluer l'influence de la composition de la phase liquide sur le coefficient de transfert côté́ liquide par PLIF (Fluorescence Induite par un Plan Laser) et sur le comportement hydrodynamique de la bulle (diamètre, vitesse, forme) par caméra rapide. L'influence du diamètre de la bulle sur le transfert de matière visualisé est également évaluée. Le coefficient de transfert côté liquide n'étant pas le seul paramètre représentatif du transfert de matière, des techniques expérimentales spécifiques sont développées afin d'estimer avec précision le coefficient de diffusion de l'oxygène dans la phase liquide d'intérêt ainsi que sa concentration à saturation au travers d'une interface gaz/liquide plane en cellule de Hele-Shaw. Via ces différentes techniques expérimentales développées durant la thèse, une cartographie précise de l'influence de la phase liquide sur le transfert d'oxygène est établie en évaluant dans un premier temps l'influence de certains composants isolés (sel, glucose, alcool, tensio-actifs, médicaments, etc.). Ainsi, il sera observé que certains composants, comme les tensio-actifs, peuvent fortement diminuer le transfert de matière. Les corrélations généralement utilisées afin de caractériser ce transfert de matière ne parvenant pas toujours à représenter de telles diminutions, ces résultats seront par la suite comparés à ceux obtenus dans des eaux de stations d'épuration afin d'approfondir la compréhension des différents mécanismes limitant ce transfert d'oxygène / The performance of tanks in sewage treatment plants is highly related to the oxygen transfer from air bubbles, usually injected through di��users, to microorganisms able to degrade pollutants contained in wastewaters. However, characterizing accurately the oxygen mass transfer in such processes is still a challenging issue mainly because of the liquid phase complexity. The aim of this PhD manuscript is to develop specific techniques to better understand the various mechanisms that locally govern the gas/liquid mass transfer process. This study focuses on the oxygen mass transfer, (i) from a single bubble, (ii) rising in a stagnant liquid, (iii) free from solid particles (biphasic system). Efficient visualization techniques allow the impact of the liquid phase composition on the liquid- side mass transfer coefficient (using PLIF (Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence)) and on the bubble hydrodynamic behavior (bubble diameter, shape, velocity) using high-speed cameras to be evaluated. Moreover, the impact of the bubble diameter on the mass transfer visualized is considered. Since the liquid-side mass transfer coefficient is often not sufficient to fully characterize mass transfer, specific experimental techniques, based on planar gas/liquid interfaces in Hele-Shaw cells, are proposed to estimate the diffusion coefficient of oxygen and the oxygen saturation concentration in several liquids of interest. Using the visualization techniques developed during this PhD thesis, the impact of the liquid phase on the oxygen mass transfer is evaluated by introducing different compounds in the liquid phase (salts, glucose, alcohol, surfactants, drugs, etc.). It is interesting to note that some compounds, such as surfactants, can drastically bother the oxygen mass transfer. Since the correlations classically used to characterize mass transfer cannot explain such performance degradation, the results obtained (with liquids whose composition is known) are finally compared to those obtained with wastewater from sewage treatment plants to better understand the factors that can alter the oxygen mass transfer

La photocatalyse est un procédé d’oxydation avancée et son utilisation est répandue dans le traitement de l’eau. Cette thèse traite de la dépollution d’eau au sein d’un réacteur original mettant en oeuvre un textile lumineux photocatalytique. Le textile est composé de fibres optiques parallèles situées sur une face d’un tissu fibreux. L’unité d’un tel système est assurée par des points de liage répartis périodiquement fixant les fibres optiques au tissu. Un traitement de microtexturation des fibres optiques permet la création d’une multitude de trous sur leur surface latérale. Une émission de lumière macroscopiquement homogène est provoquée lors de la connexion des fibres optiques à une lampe UV. Un dépôt de catalyseur, tel que le dioxyde de titane, sur l’intégralité du textile, conjuguée au rayonnement UV induit une activité photocatalytique. Cette thèse consiste à l’étude des phénomènes agissant dans un dispositif intégrant le textile lumineux photocatalytique. Dans ce réacteur plan modèle, le textile est confiné entre deux plaques et un écoulement unidirectionnel parallèle aux fibres optiques est mis en oeuvre. La dépollution d’un fluide par photocatalyse résulte du couplage de plusieurs mécanismes : écoulement, transport et réaction. Des modèles numériques sont ainsi développéssur un volume élémentaire représentatif du textile (appelé RVE) pour simuler la dépollution d’une eau comportant une molécule test, à l’échelle microscopique. Cette géométrie est choisie en tenant compte des caractéristiques structurelles du textile photocatalytique. La première étape est l’analyse de l’hydrodynamique au sein du textile, qui couple des écoulements fluide et en milieu poreux. Une étude expérimentale préliminaire a permis l’acquisition de données nécessaires à une représentation réaliste de l’écoulement en milieu poreux. Dans un second temps, le transport est caractérisé par une étude de la distribution des temps de séjour (DTS) au sein du réacteur. Des simulations successives utilisant des conditions aux limites pseudo-périodiques sont réalisées pour calculer numériquement la DTS. Elles sont validées par des mesures expérimentales de traçage de colorant. Enfin, la dégradation d’une molécule test est analysée expérimentalement et numériquement. L’étude numérique présente des approches macroscopique et microscopique. L’étude à l’échelle macroscopique permet de quantifier globalement les performances du réacteur et de fournir des valeurs de constantes cinétiques nécessaires aux simulations àl’échelle microscopique. Une analyse fine et précise de la dépollution est ainsi réalisée au sein du RVE. Elle montre les atouts et limitations du réacteur modèle en termes d’efficacité de dépollution et d’homogénéité de fonctionnement. Des propositions d’améliorations sont finalement émises, notamment une configuration de réacteur comportant un empilement de textiles photocatalytiques. / The photocatalysis is known as an advanced oxidation process and its use is common for the water treatment. This thesis deals with the water depollution within an original reactor integrating the UV-light photocatalytic textile. The textile is composed of parallel optical fibres located on a side of a fibrous fabric. The unity of the system is ensured by bonding points periodically distributed fixing the optical fibres to the fabric. A microtexturization treatment is applied to the optical fibres and a multitude of punctual light sources are thus created on their lateral surface. A light emission macroscopically homogeneous is provided by the connection of optical fibres to an UV lamp. The coating of catalyst, such as titanium dioxide, associated with UV irradiation generates photocatalytic activity. This thesis consists in studying phenomena which occurs within a setup containing the UV-light photocatalytic textile. In this model plane reactor, the textile is confined between two plates and a unidirectional flow parallel to optical fibres is applied. The fluid depollution results of the coupling between several mechanisms : fluid flow, transport and reaction. Numerical models are thus developed on a representative volume element of the textile (called RVE) to simulate at the microscopic scale the depollution of water containing a test molecule. This geometry is designed by taking account the structural characteristics of the photocatalytic textile. The first stage is the analysis of the hydrodynamic within the textile that combines free flow regions and porous medium flows. A preliminary experimental study allows the acquisition of data necessary to a realistic representation of the porous medium flow. Secondly, the transport is characterized by a study of the residence time distribution (RTD) within the reactor. Successive simulations using pseudo-periodic boundary conditions are performed to numerically calculate the RTD. They are validated by experimental measurements using dye tracing. Finally, the degradation of a test molecule is analysed experimentally and numerically. The numerical study presents both approaches macroscopic and microscopic. The study at the macroscopic scale allows to globally quantify the reactor performances. On the other hand, kinetic constants necessary to simulations at the microscopic scale are determined by fitting of the macroscopic model with experimental measurements. An accurate analysis is thus realized within the RVE. It points the advantages and limitations of the model reactor in terms of depollution efficiency and functioning homogeneity. Suggestions of structural improvement are proposed and especially a reactor integrating a stack of photocatalytic textiles.

Increasing freshwater scarcity across the world means that wastewater reclamation is being considered as a key method in which to meet the growing demand. Evolution of water reuse schemes where high quality product is required such as for indirect potable reuse has led to the adoption in recent years of the integrated membrane scheme using a combination of microfiltration or ultrafiltration with reverse osmosis membrane. However, despite technological advancements, these membranes are still prone to fouling resulting in increased costs through cleaning or replacement. This thesis aims to look at pretreatment to reduce the fouling propensity of the microfiltration membranes via a 600m3 /d pilot plant which was commissioned to investigate indirect potable reuse. A range of pretreatments including pre-screening, pre-coagulation, powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon were assessed based on fouling amelioration, water quality improvement and cost analysis. Results showed that ferric sulphate dosing was the most effective in terms of reducing the reversible fouling rate especially at high turbidity loads enabling higher flux to be realised leading to a small cost benefit. Activated carbon proved the most effective pretreatment in terms of organic removal and a significant reduction in the irreversible fouling rate. However, the cost involved in using this as a pretreatment is significant compared to possible cost savings through reduced requirement for chemical cleaning. This pretreatment is only viable if it obviates the need for a separate organic removal process.

Ce travail a permis d'acquérir de nouvelles connaissances sur la micropollution issue de l'activité domestique. Un état des lieux a été réalisé sur la présence de certains micropolluants dans les eaux usées (dans les phases liquide et solide) de deux zones urbaines, résidentielle et mixte (habitats, hôpital, administrations), et dans deux stations d'épuration (STEP) biologiques. Les micropolluants étudiés ont été choisis selon leurs usages et en fonction de leurs propriétés physico-chimiques afin de mieux appréhender leur répartition entre les phases liquides et solides. Dans un premier temps, les méthodes d'extraction et d'analyse des micropolluants dans les matrices liquides (eau usée et eau traitée) et solides (matières en suspension et boue) ont été développées et validées. Les prélèvements d'eaux usées dans les égouts des deux zones urbaines ont mis en évidence différents usages de certains composés en fonction de la zone urbaine et de la saison (été ou hiver). Les mesures des concentrations en micropolluants en entrée et en sortie de STEP dans les eaux et les boues ont permis d'évaluer leurs rendements d'élimination et ont révélé une différence d'efficacité entre les deux STEP biologiques. Une étude statistique a montré qu'il existe des corrélations entre les concentrations en micropolluants et en macropolluants (DCO, ammonium, et turbidité) en entrée et en sortie de chacune des STEP étudiées. L'effet des micropolluants sur l'activité bactérienne a été examiné en conditions de laboratoire par des tests de toxicité sur Escherichia coli et par des expériences sur la biomasse de STEP en réacteur batch / This work allowed to acquire new knowledge on micropollution issued from household activities. The occurrence of some micropollutants in urban wastewater (liquid and solid phases) of two urban areas, residential and mixed (houses, hospital, administrations), and in two biological wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) was assessed. The studied micropollutants were chosen according to use and as function of their physical and chemical properties in order to consider their partitioning between liquid and solid phases. Firstly, the methods for the extraction and the analysis of micropollutants in liquid and solid matrices (wastewater and treated water, suspended matter and sludge) were developed and validated. Wastewater sampling in the sewers of the two urban catchments showed some differences of the use of certain compounds according to the catchment and to the season (summer or winter). Measurements of micropollutant concentrations at the inlet and outlet of the plants, on water and sludge, allowed to assess their removal yields and revealed a difference of efficiency of the two biological WWTPs. A statistical treatment showed that there are some correlations between concentrations of micro and macropollutants (COD, ammonium and turbidity) at the inlet and at the outlet of each studied WWTPs. The effect of the target micropollutants on bacterial activity was evaluated under laboratory conditions, by toxicity tests on Escherichia coli, and by experiments on biological sludge in batch reactors

La présente thèse porte sur des travaux expérimentaux et de modélisation visant à étudier les processus bactériens et algaux au sein d’une lagune a haut rendement algal (HRAP). Un système pilote HRAP a été construit et les impacts des différentes conditions opérationnelles sur l’hydrodynamique et le transfert gaz/liquide du pilote ont été étudiés. De plus, le rapport d'inoculation optimal entre les algues et les bactéries (Al-Bac) a également été étudié. La biomasse Al-Bac a ensuite été inoculée dans le système HRAP pour une évaluation à long terme du traitement des eaux usées et de la récupération des nutriments. Le HRAP dans cette étude peut être appliqué en traitement secondaire de eaux usées ou comme étape primaire éliminant rapidement les charges élevées de DCO et de TKN des retour en tête de digesteurs anaérobies (centrats). Les résultats expérimentaux obtenus ont également été utilisés pour calibrer et valider des modèles de type « boîte noire » et mécanistes. Les deux modèles peuvent décrire le fonctionnement à long terme du système. Le premier permet ainsi d'évaluer rapidement les performances du système ainsi que de le dimensionner, tandis que le second simule avec succès les résultats à long (général) et à court (détaillé) terme. L'étape suivante devrait être l'application du système à grande échelle. / The thesis focused on both experimental and modeling works aiming to investigate the algal bacterial processes in High-Rate Algal Pond (HRAP) system. A pilot HRAP system was built and the impacts of different operational conditions on hydraulic and gas transfer rate of the pilot were investigated. Moreover, optimal inoculation ratio between algae and bacteria (Al-Bac) was also studied. The Al-Bac biomass was theninoculated in the HRAP system for long term assessment of wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery. The HRAP in this study can be applied for secondary treatment application or as a primary step removing rapidly high loads of COD and TKN from centrate wastewater. Experimental results obtained were also employed in calibrating and validating black box and comprehensive algal bacterial models. Both models coulddescribe the system in long term. The former was adequate for giving quick assessment of the system performance as well as sizing application while the latter successfully simulated the results both in long (general) and short (detailed) time scale. A next step should be applying the system in large scale.

Sewage misconnections currently pose severe threats to water quality especially in urban areas in the UK. These misconnections lead to the discharge of untreated wastewater into receiving watercourses via surface water outfalls. Regular discharges from this source could lead to these watercourses failing to meet standards set by the Water Framework Directives. Despite the impacts resulting from this urban diffuse pollutant source, research into this area is limited. The study area is the River Lee, which is known to experience issues with water quality especially within the heavily urbanized lower Lee section. Misconnections are one of the major contributors to the poor water quality status of the River. In this study, the Lee was investigated using several parameters. The approach involved the monitoring of coliform bacteria to detect outfalls where misconnections were likely, then biofilm samples below selected outfalls were used for both clean and polluted sites to look for community types. Results showed severe pollution within some sections of the River particularly within the lower Lee. Pymmes Brook was used as a case study, both coliform bacteria and biofilm communities below outfalls were further investigated for clean and polluted sites. Results from the Pymmes Brook study also showed that this watercourse was experiencing severe issues with water quality, with elevated levels of coliform bacteria identified below polluted outfalls. Biofilm community data obtained during the pilot and experimental phases of study were analyzed using a range of multivariate techniques. Results of the analysis showed consistent x patterns in community structure within sites with similar water quality, with indicator species identified. Communities below polluted outfalls were composed mainly of species tolerant of organic pollution thus indicating a response of communities to misconnection discharges. Currently, the identification of misconnections are carried out through trackbacks, a process which is expensive and time consuming. During this study an inexpensive and rapid approach is proposed for assessing misconnections within a catchment. Using this method, misconnection hotspots are mapped out using coliform bacteria and biofilm communities. Using catchment data and predicted coliform bacteria from enumerated counts, misconnections within these hotspots are assessed. Having tested this approach on Pymmes Brook, a tributary of the River Lee, the results obtained were promising. Pending further verification, this system provides an economical and rapid tool for the assessment of misconnections within a catchment.