Mathematical Assessment of the Wastewater Stabilization Ponds for the Geographical Regions of Turkey

Abstract

Wastewater stabilization ponds (WSPs) are used worldwide to treat wastewater from industrial and domestic sources because they are the most economical. However, the two main disadvantages are the colossal area required for the treatment facility and limited control over the effluent quality. The study compares pond designs with various baffle wall numbers and lengths in various configurations of ponds. The number of baffle walls analyzed was increased in even numbers from 0 to 10, and their length increased from 50% to 90% with a 10% increase every time. This study also examines how temperature affects treatment efficiency in various climatic regions of Turkey. The results reveal that increasing the number and length of baffle walls reduces design area and detention time and improves the effluent quality. It was also discovered that regions with warmer climates need less area and detention time than those with colder climates to remove a similar pollution load. In all regions except the Eastern Anatolia region, two out of three configurations analyzed in this study satisfied the country’s class-B irrigation standards for eliminating fecal coliform and BOD5. Based on the analyses,  configuration 1 (Anaerobic, facultative, and maturation ponds), having six baffle walls with 70 % length, is the optimum and suitable option for all regions. Lastly, comparing this research’s outcome with experimental results is recommended.