A technological and economic exploration of phosphate recovery from centralised sewage treatment in a transitioning economy context

Abstract

Phosphate is one of the substances which wastewater treatment works (WWTW) have to lower in order to meet the South African regulatory discharge standard of 1 mg/L. Wastewater is increasingly viewed as a ‘water-carried waste’ , presenting opportunities for resource recovery. South Africa has commenced its transition to a low-carbon and resourceefficient economy, all whilst it struggles to provide universal access to basic needs and is faced with massive infrastructure maintenance as well as upgrading backlogs in the sanitation sector in particular. Although phosphate recovery methods exist, there is little evidence to indicate that these techniques would be economically viable or socially accepted in South Africa. This paper explores the potential for centralized recovery of nutrients, through the conceptual design and technoeconomic pre-feasibility assessment of two phosphate recovery options, at the largest WWTW in the Western Cape, South Africa.

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