Wolf, these are laudable aims and of course waste minimisation at source is always sensible. However, it is simply nonsense to suggest that "the maximal possible is your target" and to recommend "cutting edge technologies". The appropriate approach used to be called BATNEEC - that is "best available technology not entailing excessive cost". Adriana, Talk to the sewerage operator about your discharge and establish from them what they can accept and treat to an appropriate standard. Many pharmaceutical effluents are highly biodegradable and they will willingly accept the discharge without treatment (but charge you for doing so!) They can often treat more efficiency and effectively than a private industrial effluent treatment plant. Alternatively it may be economical for you to install a roughing treatment on your site. If there are toxic or non-biodegradable elements in the effluent, they can discuss and agree appropriate pre-treatment.

Published by

Wolf, these are laudable aims and of course waste minimisation at source is always sensible. However, it is simply nonsense to suggest that "the maximal possible is your target" and to recommend "cutting edge technologies". The appropriate approach used to be called BATNEEC - that is "best available technology not entailing excessive cost".

Adriana, Talk to the sewerage operator about your discharge and establish from them what they can accept and treat to an appropriate standard. Many pharmaceutical effluents are highly biodegradable and they will willingly accept the discharge without treatment (but charge you for doing so!) They can often treat more efficiency and effectively than a private industrial effluent treatment plant. Alternatively it may be economical for you to install a roughing treatment on your site. If there are toxic or non-biodegradable elements in the effluent, they can discuss and agree appropriate pre-treatment.