The problem of disposal of brine due to increased MD/RO desalination plant has recently become a big social issue. The chlor-alkali process through electrolysis of brine has been studied as a method to overcome this problem. In order to increase the electrolysis efficiency, a pretreatment process for removal of hard substances must be preceded. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of removal of hardness through chemical precipitation. As a result, Ca was greatly influenced by addition of Na2CO3, and Mg was strongly influenced by pH. Also, the addition of NaOH and Na2CO3 enabled simultaneous removal of Ca and Mg, and showed a removal efficiency of 99.9% or more. Finally, the residual concentrations of Ca and Mg in the brine after the reaction were 0.14 and 0.13 mg/L, respectively. Saturation index was calculated using Visual MINTEQ 3.1, and solid phase analysis of the precipitate was performed by FE-SEM and PXRD analysis. It was confirmed that precipitate formed by the formation of calcite and brucite.

The objective of this study is to analyze the investment adequacy of the projects implemented according to the master plan on sewerage rehabilitation at Seoul. The planned and actually implemented ratio of invested money on sewage treatment plants (STPs) to sewers were compared in two temporal periods. Though the planned ratio of investment on STPs to sewers was 50:50 (in 2009-2020) , the actual implemented ratio in 2009-2013 was 34:66. Until 2020, the greater investment ratio on STPs to sewers should be made considering the necessity of coping with stricter legal compliance on advanced treatment, stormwater treatment and so on. The priority of the planned and partially implemented projects among four STPs and at each STP was evaluated. Considering only the performance indicator of reduced load of BOD, T-N, T-P per the capacity of each STP facility, the performance among four STPs was shown as Jung-Rang>Tan-Cheon>Seo-Nam>Nan-Ji. The reverse order of the performance results in the past may be considered for future investment priority, but the efficiency of operation implemented at each STP, deteriorated status of each STP, investment in the past and so forth should also be considered. As for the priority of projects conducted within each STP, projects related to legal compliance (such as advanced tertiary treatment, stormwater treatment, etc.) have highest priority. Odor-related project and inhabitant-friendly facility related projects (such as building park on STPs, etc.) has lower priority than water quality related projects but interactivity with end-users of sewerage should also be important.

As sewerage systems have obsolete, as quality and service level standards increase, and as rain characteristics change, the sewerage utility authorities are challenged to develop cost recovery strategies that assure financial sustainability. In this study, we conducted scenario analysis to examine the effect of three alternatives of partial or full sewerage cost recovery in Seoul during 2014-30 periods. It turned out that the alternative 1 is optimal and recommended. According to alternative 1, we had better increase annually sewerage fee by 14.8% until 2020 and thereafter apply only the inflation rate in setting sewerage fee. It would gradually decrease the deficit after 2019. The accumulated deficit of 13 billion Won in 2030 was estimated.We expect that this kind of analysis may provide useful informations to help sewage utility staffs, decision makers, and regulatory authorities understand, develop and implement ultimate full cost recovery strategy for many municipalities.

As sewer flooding frequents due to localized and concentrated stormwater and increased non-permeable surface area after urbanization, building cities with sound water recycle and accordingly efficient management of rainwater is demanded. To do this, the existing sewage (including rainwater) fee imposition system should be philosophically evaluated. This study presents problematic issues of the existing domestic sewage fee imposition system considering the principle of sharing costs on the service of sewage and rainwater collection and treatment. Four methods to improve the existing sewage fee imposition system are suggested: 1) imposing stormwater fee according to Polluter Pays Principle, 2) clarification of the share of public sector, 3) reducing or exempting the sewerage fee for inhabitants reducing urban runoff by constructing their own rainwater management facilities, 4) imposing charge for discharging rainwater to sewers due to new development action. Short, mid, or long term planning for rainwater management is recommended considering the situation of each municipality.