Analysis and removal of emerging contaminants in wastewater and drinking water

The occurrence of trace organic contaminants in wastewaters, their behaviour during wastewater treatment and drinking water production are the key issues in relation to the reuse of water resources. Elimination of different classes of emerging contaminants, such as surfactant degradates, pharmaceuticals and polar pesticides in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) was found to be rather low and consequently sewage effluents are one of the main sources of these compounds and their recalcitrant metabolites. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in the analysis of several groups of emerging contaminants (acidic pharmaceuticals, antibacterial agents, acidic pesticides and surfactant metabolites) in wastewaters. Their elimination in WWTP applying conventional activated sludge treatment and advanced treatment processes, such as membrane bioreactors (MBR) and advanced oxidation (AOP), as well as the elimination during drinking water production are discussed.