Watershed-based point sources permitting strategy and dynamic permit-trading analysis

Permit-trading policy in a total maximum daily load (TMDL) program may provide an additional avenue to produce environmental benefit, which closely approximates what would be achieved through a command and control approach, with relatively lower costs. One of the important considerations that might affect the effective trading mechanism is to determine the dynamic transaction prices and trading ratios in response to seasonal changes of assimilative capacity in the river. Advanced studies associated with multi-temporal spatially varied trading ratios among point sources to manage water pollution hold considerable potential for industries and policy makers alike. This paper aims to present an integrated simulation and optimization analysis for generating spatially varied trading ratios and evaluating seasonal transaction prices accordingly. It is designed to configure a permit-trading structure basin-wide and provide decision makers with a wealth of cost-effective, technology-oriented, risk-informed, and community-based management strategies. The case study, seamlessly integrating a QUAL2E simulation model with an optimal waste load allocation (WLA) scheme in a designated TMDL study area, helps understand the complexity of varying environmental resources values over space and time. The pollutants of concern in this region, which are eligible for trading, mainly include both biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N). The problem solution, as a consequence, suggests an array of waste load reduction targets in a well-defined WLA scheme and exhibits a dynamic permit-trading framework among different sub-watersheds in the study area. Research findings gained in this paper may extend to any transferable dynamic-discharge permit (TDDP) program worldwide.     

THE STRUCTURE AND PRACTICE OF WATER QUALITY TRADING MARKETS1

ABSTRACT: The use of transferable discharge permits in water pollution, what we will call water quality trading (WQT), is rapidly growing in the U.S. This paper reviews the current status of WQT nationally and discusses the structures of the markets that have been formed. Four main structures are observed in such markets: exchanges, bilateral negotiations, clearinghouses, and sole source offsets. The goals of a WQT program are environmental quality and cost effectiveness. In designing a WQT market, policy makers are constrained by legal restrictions and the physical characteristics of the pollution problem. The choices that must be made include how trading will be authorized, monitored and enforced. How these questions are answered will help determine both the extent to which these goals are achieved, and the market structures that can arise. After discussing the characteristics of different market structures, we evaluate how this framework applies in the case of California's Grassland Drainage Area Tradable Loads Program.     

COMPUTING THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH WASTELOAD) ALLOCATION MODELING1

ABSTRACT: The risks associated with a traditional wasteload allocation (WLA) analysis were quantified with data from a recent study of the Upper Trinity River (Texas). Risk is define here as the probability of failing to meet an established in-stream water quality standard. The QUAL-TX dissolved oxygen (DO) water quality model was modified to a Monte Carlo framework. Flow augmentation coding was also modified to allow an exact match to be computed between the predicted and an established DO concentration standard, thereby providing an avenue for linking input parameter uncertainty to the assignment of a wasteload permit (allowable mass loading rate). Monte Carlo simulation techniques were employed to propagate input parameter uncertainties, typically encountered during WLA analysis, to the computed effluent five-day carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand requirements for a single major wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The risk of failing to meet an established in-stream DO criterion may be as high as 96 percent. The uncertainty associated with estimation of the future total Kjeldahl nitrogen concentration for a single tributary was found to have the greatest impact on the determination of allowable WWTP loadings.     

Exploring Nontraditional Participation as an Approach to Make Water Quality Trading Markets More Effective

Water quality trading (WQT) has the potential to be a low‐cost means for achieving water quality goals. WQT allows regulated wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) facing discharge limits the flexibility to either reduce their own discharge or purchase pollution control from other WWTPs or nonpoint sources (NPSs) such as agricultural producers. Under this limited scope, programs with NPSs have been largely unsuccessful at meeting water quality goals. The decision to participate in trading depends on many factors including the pollution control costs, uncertainty in pollution control, and discharge limits. Current research that focuses on making WQT work tends to identify how to increase participation by traditional traders such as WWTPs and agricultural producers. As an alternative, but complementary approach, we consider whether augmenting WQT markets with nontraditional participants would help increase the number of trades. Determining the economic incentives for these potential participants requires the development of novel benefit functions requiring not only economic considerations but also accounting for ecological and engineering processes. Existing literature on nontraditional participants in environmental markets tends to center on air quality and only increasing citizen participation as buyers. Here, we consider the issues for broadening participation (both buyers and sellers) in WQT and outline a multidisciplinary approach to begin evaluating feasibility.     

Spatial and temporal variation in nutrient parameters in stream water in a rural-urban catchment, Shikoku, Japan: effects of land cover and human impact

Seasonal and spatial variations in major ion chemistry and isotope composition in the rural-urban catchment of the Shigenobu River were monitored to determine the influences of agricultural and urban sewage systems on water quality. Temporal patterns of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and suspended sediment (SS) were examined at four sites in the rural-urban catchment. Urban land cover, incorporating the effects of increased population, domestic water use, and industrial wastewater, was positively associated with increases in water pollution and was included as an important explanatory variable for the variations in all water quality parameters. Significant trends were found in each parameter. BOD concentrations ranged widely, and were high in urban regions, due to the presence of a waste water treatment plant. TN and SS showed various trends, but did not vary widely, unlike TP. TP concentrations varied greatly, with high concentrations in cultivated areas, due to fertilizer use. Local water quality management or geology could further explain some of the variations in water quality. Non-point-source pollution exhibited strong positive spatial autocorrelation, indicating that incorporating spatial dimensions into water quality assessment enhances our understanding of spatial patterns of water quality. Data from the Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) and Environment Ministry (EM) were used to investigate trends in land management. Stepwise regression analysis was used to test the correlation between specific management practises and substance concentrations in surface water and sediment. MLIT and EM data for 1981-2003 showed an increase in TN, TP, and SS concentrations in surface water. High levels of fertilizer in dormant sprays and domestic water use were associated with high pesticide concentrations in water and sediment. This paper presents a novel method of studying the environmental impact of various agricultural management practises and recommends a management strategy that combines the use of reduced-risk pesticides with irrigation and non-irrigation periods in paddy fields.     

ANALYSIS OF WASTE LOAD ALLOCATION PROCEDURES1

A study was made to analyze and modify procedures used for stream assimilation capacity and point source wasteload allocation calculations. This paper describes the sources and types of information collected and the analysis of alternative computation methods developed during the study. The calculation of stream assimilation capacity or Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), will depend upon assumed stream flows, quality standards, reaction rates, and modeling procedures. The “critical conditions” selected for TMDL calculations usually are low flows and warm temperatures. The complexity of water quality models used for TMDL and allocation calculations can range from simple, complete mixing to calibrated and verified mathematical models. A list of 20 wasteload allocation (WLA) methods was developed. Five of these WLA's were applied to an example stream to permit comparisons based on cost, equity, efficient use of stream assimilation capacity, and sensitivity to fundamental stream quality data. Based on insensitivity to data errors and current use by several states, the WLA method of “equal percent treatment” was preferable in the example stream.     

Source identification and characterization of the accumulating non-biodegradable organics in Korean reservoirs

An increase in the chemical oxygen demand (COD) has been noticed in most Korean reservoirs. Therefore, this research systematically investigated the causes of organic accumulation. Samples of soil affecting the quality of water of reservoirs were collected at various sources and analyzed for their organic characteristics. The COD to biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) ratio was used as the key parameter in the evaluation of non-biodegradable (NBD) organic accumulation in the reservoirs. Soil samples containing plant roots were agitated, with the supernatant showing COD/BOD ratios of less than 2.8, while those of the composted tree leaves were greater than 5.0, suggesting that humic substances produced in forest areas are a major cause of NBD organic accumulation in reservoirs. In addition, the organic fractionation of the leachate from leaching tests showed that of the various types of hydrophobic natural organic matter (NOM), the larger molecular weight humic acid makes a greater contribution than fulvic acid to the increase in the NBD COD in Korean reservoirs.     

Coliforms removal in full-scale activated sludge plants in India

This paper investigates the removal of coliforms in full-scale activated sludge plants (ASP) operating in northern regions of India. Log2.2 and log2.4 removal were observed for total coliforms (TC) and fecal coliforms (FC), respectively. However, the effluent still contained a significant number of TC and FC which was greater than the permissible limit for unrestricted irrigation as prescribed by WHO. The observations also suggest that extended aeration (EA) process operating under high mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and sludge retention time (SRT) is more efficient in the removal of coliforms. Further attempts have been made to establish the relationship between two key wastewater parameters, i.e. biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids (SS) with respect to fecal and TC. The relationships were observed to be linear with a good coefficient of correlation. The interrelationship of BOD and SS with coliforms manifest that improvement of the microbiological quality of wastewater could be linked with the removal of SS. Therefore, SS can serve as a regulatory tool in lieu of an explicit coliforms standard.     

Policy Utopias for Nutrient Credit Trading Programs with Nonpoint Sources

A promising program to address water contamination from nutrients is water quality trading (WQT), whereby entities with high abatement costs purchase credits from entities with lower abatement costs. The concept has found some success with point source water pollution, but very few trades have occurred in over 50 programs in the United States (U.S.) that have focused on nonpoint sources (NPSs). To understand why success has been slow, we identified three environments needed for programs to succeed: physical, economic, and institutional. We estimate that only 5% of watersheds in the U.S. currently listed as nutrient impaired provide a viable physical environment for trading nitrogen; 13% are suitable for phosphorus. Economic and institutional challenges would shrink that domain even further. Therefore, we find places with the ideal physical, economic, and institutional environments necessary for feasible WQT programs are virtual policy utopias — rare places with ideal environments. Fortunately, a growing literature provides the tools necessary to identify where these policy utopias are and to expand that domain through a better understanding about how to manage WQT programs more effectively.     

农村生活污水土地处理技术

本文陈述了我国农村生活污水的特点和污水土地处理技术的研究及应用现状,认为污水土屯处理技术处理农村生活污水是可行的,对BOD,COD,氨氮,总氮和总磷有着较高的去除率,并且投资省、运行费用低、管理简单、维护方便、出水可回用,有净化污水、美化绿化环境和节约水资源的综合效果。     

利用生态池净化玉泉景点富营养化水的研究

在人工湿地的基础上建立生态池，来净化杭州植物园玉泉观鱼景点观鱼池富营养化水质。结果表明该生态池在每年的不同季度内对总氮（TN）、氨氮（NH3-N）、总磷（TP）、化学需氧量（CODMn）、五日生化需氧量（BOD5）、溶解氧（DO）、浊度（TURB）、电导率（COND）均有较好的改善和净化效果，对硝态氮（NO3-N）的净化能力稍弱；总氮和氨氮的去除率在夏季最高，分别达到26．6％和87．7％，总磷在春季的去除率最高，为56．3％，硝态氮、CODMn和BOD5在秋季去除率最高，分别为8．05％、65．9％和73．9％。生态池的净化出水水质略低于地下水，但可以替代地下水来给养鱼池换水，为解决景区富营养化水质提供了一个好的途径。     

An imprecise fuzzy risk approach for water quality management of a river system

Uncertainty plays an important role in water quality management problems. The major sources of uncertainty in a water quality management problem are the random nature of hydrologic variables and imprecision (fuzziness) associated with goals of the dischargers and pollution control agencies (PCA). Many Waste Load Allocation (WLA) problems are solved by considering these two sources of uncertainty. Apart from randomness and fuzziness, missing data in the time series of a hydrologic variable may result in additional uncertainty due to partial ignorance. These uncertainties render the input parameters as imprecise parameters in water quality decision making. In this paper an Imprecise Fuzzy Waste Load Allocation Model (IFWLAM) is developed for water quality management of a river system subject to uncertainty arising from partial ignorance. In a WLA problem, both randomness and imprecision can be addressed simultaneously by fuzzy risk of low water quality. A methodology is developed for the computation of imprecise fuzzy risk of low water quality, when the parameters are characterized by uncertainty due to partial ignorance. A Monte-Carlo simulation is performed to evaluate the imprecise fuzzy risk of low water quality by considering the input variables as imprecise. Fuzzy multiobjective optimization is used to formulate the multiobjective model. The model developed is based on a fuzzy multiobjective optimization problem with max–min as the operator. This usually does not result in a unique solution but gives multiple solutions. Two optimization models are developed to capture all the decision alternatives or multiple solutions. The objective of the two optimization models is to obtain a range of fractional removal levels for the dischargers, such that the resultant fuzzy risk will be within acceptable limits. Specification of a range for fractional removal levels enhances flexibility in decision making. The methodology is demonstrated with a case study of the Tunga–Bhadra river system in India.     

Assessment of spatial-temporal patterns of surface and ground water qualities and factors influencing management strategy of groundwater system in an urban river corridor of Nepal

This study examined the spatial-temporal variations and factors influencing the management of groundwater along a section of the Bagmati river corridor in the Kathmandu valley (Nepal). The results showed that rural areas were less polluted than urban areas. In urban areas, the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations ranged from 8.41 to 29.74 mg/L, 6.7 to 128.96 mg/L and 0.06 to 1.5 mg/L, respectively. In rural areas, the BOD, TN and TP concentrations ranged from 0.78 to 18.25 mg/L, 4.8 to 11.56 mg/L and 0.07 to 0.65 mg/L, respectively. The level of organics was higher in the pre-monsoon season, while the level of nutrients was higher in post-monsoon season. A comparison of the groundwater and surface water in the upstream rural areas revealed that the TP concentration was higher in the groundwater than in the surface water, which was attributed to the sorption of phosphorus on iron, aluminum or calcium compounds contained in the surface water, which depends upon the temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen. In urban areas, a few wells were found at groundwater levels lower than the corresponding surface water levels and were subjected to a high risk of pollution. Overall, these findings reinforce the notion that the management of surface and ground waters in an integrated approach is essential for attaining sustainable development of groundwater systems.     

Application of Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes for treatment of urban sewage in Israel

The effectiveness of sewage purification by aquatic plants, such as water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), was tested on laboratory and pilot scales. Cascade and semi-continuous pilot experiments verified that the plants are capable of decreasing all tested indicators of water quality to levels that permit the use of the purified water for irrigation of tree crops. This applies to biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and turbidity. The laboratory-scale tests confirm the capacity of the plants to reach and hold reasonably low levels of BOD (5-7 mg L(-1)) and COD (40-50 mg L(-1)) and very low levels of TSS (3-5 mg L(-1)) and turbidity (1-2 NTU). In the experimental pilot setup, with circulation, COD decreased from 460 to 100 mg L(-1) after 2.5-4 days of treatment, while 6-7 days were required to this end without circulation. This doubled the active pond area and provided a two-level hydraulic loading (8 and 12 L min(-1)) with circulation that proved to be effective during the summer as well as the winter season. The outflow concentrations were 50-85 mg L(-1) of COD and 4-6 mg L(-1) of BOD. The results show that the use of this free water surface flow system (FWS) and its low maintenance system for treatment of urban and agricultural sewage is a viable option.     

辽西北丘陵地区农村生活污水产污系数测算研究

通过对辽西北丘陵地区农村进行现场调研,测算了农村生活污水产污系数。结果表明,监测农户总生活污水中人均日产污水量为16.42 L,COD、BOD5、NH3-N、TN、TP、动植物油浓度的平均水平分别为696.9,341.83,4.34,36.79,4.32,2.28 mg/L;用水来源对农户生活污水中人均日产污水量和动植物油产污系数无显著影响,可取监测农户的平均值作为统一值;锦州北镇市农户生活污水人均日产量为19.12 L,COD、BOD5、TN、动植物油产污系数分别为0.05,0.11,0.09,0.87 g/(人·d),NH3-N和TP产污系数分别在7.29~7.35 g/(人·d)和14.69~14.83 g/(人·d),朝阳北票市农户生活污水人均日产量为19.12 L,COD、BOD5、NH3-N、TN、TP、动植物油产污系数分别为13.59,6.49,0.09,0.43,0.02,0.87 g/(人·d)。     

AVGWLF‐Based Estimation of Nonpoint Source Nitrogen Loads Generated Within Long Island Sound Subwatersheds1

Abstract: The Generalized Watershed Loading Functions (GWLF) model and its ArcView interface (AVGWLF) were used to estimate and examine the components of the total nitrogen (TN) nonpoint source (NPS) load generated within New York and Connecticut (CT) watersheds surrounding Long Island Sound (LIS, the Sound). The majority of data used as model inputs were generally available from online sources, and the work involved an overall calibration to streamflow and TN data in accordance with generic guidelines recommended in the GWLF manual. The GWLF model performance for three calibration and two validation watersheds in CT was compared with results of a detailed model, Hydrological Simulation Program in Fortran, developed in a previous study. The results of the application illustrate the usefulness of the relatively simpler, less parameter‐intensive GWLF model in performing exploratory loading analysis in preparation for adaptive nutrient management in the LIS watersheds. The presented methodology is valuable for identification of priority watersheds for NPS pollution reduction and also for planning‐level evaluation of best management practices to achieve the desired reductions. It is estimated that ground‐water base flow may be the largest pathway for NPS TN to the Sound, contributing about 54% of the total NPS TN load, a finding with significant implications for LIS total maximum daily load reduction scenarios. In addition to ground water, septic systems are estimated to contribute about 17% of the total load, with the remaining TN load being mostly runoff from urban (17%), agricultural (5%), and low impact (e.g., forest) areas (6%).     

Defining Nutrient and Biochemical Oxygen Demand Baselines for Tropical Rivers and Streams in São Paulo State (Brazil): A Comparison Between Reference and Impacted Sites

Determining reference concentrations in rivers and streams is an important tool for environmental management. Reference conditions for eutrophication-related water variables are unavailable for Brazilian freshwaters. We aimed to establish reference baselines for São Paulo State tropical rivers and streams for total phosphorus (TP) and nitrogen (TN), nitrogen-ammonia (NH₄ ⁺) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) through the best professional judgment and the trisection methods. Data from 319 sites monitored by the São Paulo State Environmental Company (2005 to 2009) and from the 22 Water Resources Management Units in São Paulo State were assessed (N = 27,131). We verified that data from different management units dominated by similar land cover could be analyzed together (Analysis of Variance, P = 0.504). Cumulative frequency diagrams showed that industrialized management units were characterized by the worst water quality (e.g. average TP of 0.51 mg/L), followed by agricultural watersheds. TN and NH₄ ⁺ were associated with urban percentages and population density (Spearman Rank Correlation Test, P < 0.05). Best professional judgment and trisection (median of lower third of all sites) methods for determining reference concentrations showed agreement: 0.03 &; 0.04 mg/L (TP), 0.31 &; 0.34 mg/L (TN), 0.06 &; 0.10 mg-N/L (NH₄ ⁺) and 2 &; 2 mg/L (BOD), respectively. Our reference concentrations were similar to TP and TN reference values proposed for temperate water bodies. These baselines can help with water management in São Paulo State, as well as providing some of the first such information for tropical ecosystems.     

Dissolved oxygen sag analysis for a settling fields overlapping type multi-wastewater-outfall

The classical Streeter–Phelps models for Dissolved oxygen (DO) sag do not account for a significantly settleable portion (about 10% in treated to about 60% in the untreated wastewater discharged) of the total biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) inputs into rivers through wastewater outfalls, and therefore, they can not be used to predict the DO sag to any accuracy and rationality. The author’s rationally composited model for an accurate prediction of stream BOD, accounting for near linear removal of settleable BOD as well as simultaneous exponential decay of the non-settleable BOD, is used to predict the DO sag resulting from a multi-wastewater-outfall system, wherein the settling fields of some of the outfalls interfere and overlap. An illustrative case example has been presented to demonstrate use of the models evolved under varying locations of the multi-wastewater-outfalls. A universal and integrated PC based computer program can also be evolved for the computation of the overall resultant DO sag to confirm the manually computed DO sag.     

Application of a new type of moving bio-film in aerobic sequencing batch reactor (aerobic-SBR)

A moving bio-film (MB), made from the inner tube of used tyres was applied in a conventional-aerobic-SBR for increasing the system efficiency and quality of bio-sludge due to good sedimentation (the density of 1.925+/-0.21 g/cm(3)), non-biodegradability and re-usability of the media without any regeneration. The total bio-sludge mass of the MB-aerobic-SBR was about 30% higher than that of the conventional-aerobic-SBR resulting in a reduction of the F/M value of the system and amount of suspended bio-sludge waste. The amount of suspended bio-sludge waste, SVI and SRT of the MB-aerobic-SBR under a low organic loading of 80+/-9.3g BOD(5)/m(3)-d were 1,485+/-146 mg/d, 51+/-3.7 ml/g and 10.1+/-5.1 days, respectively while they were 1,800+/-152 mg/d, 69+/-4.0 ml/g and 8.3+/-5.3 days, respectively in the conventional-aerobic-SBR. The BOD(5), TKN and TP removal efficiencies of the MB-aerobic-SBR were about 1-2, 2-3 and 10-12% higher, respectively, than that of the conventional-aerobic-SBR. Also, the BOD(5) and COD removal efficiencies of the MB-aerobic-SBR were higher than 95% even when the system was operated with synthetic wastewater containing 800 mg/l BOD(5) under a very low HRT of 1.5 days (organic loading of 528+/-50.8 g BOD(5)/m(3)-d). The effluent BOD(5), COD, total kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus and suspended solids of the MB-aerobic-SBR under a high organic loading of 528+/-50.8 g BOD(5)/m(3)-d were 45+/-5.1, 37+/-3.6, 4.1+/-1.0, 1.5+/-0.80 and 41+/-2mg/l, respectively.     

沱江富顺段水质分析及污染状况研究

为了解沱江富顺段水质情况,采用相应的国家标准方法对沱江水体的氮、磷、化学需氧量、生化需氧量等指标进行监测。3个监测断面TN、TP的平均浓度分别为3．31mg／L、0．247mg／L,其中TN含量超标3倍以上,TP含量超过标准的1．2倍,建议相关部门应在河流平水期和枯水期严格控制氮、磷的排放,可通过调高工业废水、污水处理厂氮、磷排放标准,缓解沱江氮、磷污染程度。