Bulking control by low-dose ozonation of returned activated sludge in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant

Sludge bulking is still a problem in the operation of state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The ozonation of returned activated sludge (RAS) is an innovative option as a non-specific measure for the control of filament growth. The applicability of sludge ozonation for bulking control of a large wastewater treatment plant was investigated. At a full-scale WWTP one lane was equipped with a sludge ozonation plant for RAS. The implemented sludge ozonation of RAS was tested against the two identical references lanes of the same WWTP. The positive effect on settleability could be clearly proven. Low-dose sludge ozonation could be a technical alternative in comparison with the established chemical measures for bulking control.