Organic water quality and other factors in poultry plant wastewater renovation and reuse

The organic water quality throughout a poultry processing wastewater treatment and renovation system, which included several points of chlorination, was investigated. The main classes of organic compounds which were identified were substituted phthalates and adipates and (methylated) fatty acids and their amide derivatives. Chloroform concentrations were lower than 8 μg l⁻¹ throughout the renovation system. Total organic halide, total organic carbon and endotoxin concentrations in the final renovated water were slightly high when compared to typical levels occurring in finished waters from other systems. It was also determined that as treatment progressed, the contribution of compounds greater in molecular size than 400 Daltons to organic carbon content decreased. Based on these and previous results, it was concluded that there would not be an undue health risk if the renovated water would be recycled and reused for a trial period.