In this study, we propose a standardized design method using dimensionless design factors (specific catchment area, specific storage capacity) for the catchment area and storage tank capacity for the installation of rainwater facilities under rainfall conditions in Korea. As a result of simulating the water-saving efficiency of rainwater facilities that supply toilet flushing water in 17 office buildings in the metropolitan area, it was confirmed that the specific catchment area is a major design factor affecting the water-saving efficiency. In order to achieve the annual water-saving efficiency of 30%, it was evaluated that the specific catchment area and the specific rainwater storage capacity required 0.2 or more, respectively. In addition, when looking at the monthly water-saving efficiency, it is estimated that 100% of the required water demand can be supplied for up to three months from July to September under optimal conditions. Due to the annual rainfall variation, there is a limit to using all of the collected rainwater as toilet flushing water. Consideration of temporary use for other purposes should be reflected in the design stage of the building considering the characteristics of the target building and local conditions. In the future, follow-up studies are needed for field verification of dimensionless design and efficiency evaluation based on water supply and demand.
With the current trend of the fourth industrial revolution, machine learning technique is increasingly adopted in various water industry fields. In this review paper, recent studies using machine learning to predict flood, water consumption, water quality, and water treatment processes are summarized. In the typical water purification processes such as flocculation, disinfection, and filtration, machine learning was able to present high-accuracy prediction results for complex non-linear mechanisms. Hybrid machine learning methods, combining multiple algorithms, generally outperformed machine learning results using only one algorithm. A more microscopic machine learning approach can provide valuable information to the operators in the water industry.
N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a potent carcinogen that is frequently detected nitrosamine from water chloramination. This study investigated the occurrence of NDMA and its potential precursor, ranitidine (RNT), in four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Additionally, the effects of chloramination methods and oxidative pretreatment on the NDMA formation potential (FP) were assessed. Concentration levels of NDMA in the WWTPs waters ranged from 2.5 (detection limit) to 72.6 ng/L, while RNT values ranged from 1.32 to 186.9 ng/L. Further study indicated that the NDMA-FPs from chloraminated wastewaters varied between 36.2 and 227.8 ng/L. Nonetheless, chloramination methods and oxidative pretreatment significantly impacted the NDMA-FP levels. For example, breakpoint chlorination and stepwise chloramination promoted NDMA-FP when compared to preformed chloramination, which could be attributed to the formation of dichloramine and chlorine species. In contrast, prechlorination was found to effectively mitigate NDMA-FP, based on integrated ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Notably, UV irradiation with free chlorine (UV/Cl2) or permanganate (UV/MnO4 -) reduced NDMA-FP by up to 70%. This study suggests that UV/MnO4 - and UV/Cl2 may be used as alternative mitigation strategies for reducing nitrosamine-FP in the water treatment process.
Application of the membrane process to wastewater treatment and reuse has been increasing due to water shortage, water pollution and an increase in water demand. Membrane fouling including biofouling should be controlled to extend its application. In this study, modulation of diffusible signal factor (DSF) system, the quorum sensing (QS) system that regulates EPS formation by microorganisms, was considered as a promising option to manage biofouling. Among many DSF compounds, cis -2-Decenoic acids (CDA) was selected. The experimental results showed that, as the CDA concentration increased, the density and number of stained cells decreased. The lowest density was observed when the CDA concentration of 300 nM was applied. The EPS on membrane surface decreased with increasing concentration of CDA. The CDA dosing also affected the EPS composition. At the 300 nM CDA dose, the total EPS reduced by up to 57% and the protein fraction by 35%. This study revealed the biofilm reduction effect of CDA under various conditions for MBR sludge. The application of CDA can be adapted to control biofouling in the MBR process.