Peracetic acid treatment for removing steroid hormones in a pilot-scale wastewater installation

The global water scarcity challenge urges sustainable solutions such as wastewater reuse, which is crucial to alleviate pressure on dwindling freshwater sources. However, this approach must address the presence of emerging pollutants (EPs), demanding specific treatment processes to ensure water safety and environmental protection. Peracetic acid (PAA) has garnered global interest due to its high oxidation potential and production of low-toxicity byproducts, making it a promising alternative for wastewater decontamination. This study aimed to assess PAA efficacy in removing three EPs: estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). Conducted in a pilot-scale wastewater treatment facility using real wastewater, the study explored six operational conditions, with varying PAA concentrations (5 mg/L to 15 mg/L) and hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 5, 10, and 15 min. Control parameters were monitored throughout the study. The condition with 15 mg/L PAA and 15 min HRT was the most efficient achieving over 85 % removal efficiency for all three compounds. The condition with 15 mg/L PAA and 10 min HRT was less efficient, achieving 70 % removal for E1 and 60 % and 44 % for E2 and EE2, respectively. A Spearman correlation matrix identified temperature and E. coli as strongly correlated with EPs removal, potentially influencing PAA decay. Overall, PAA demonstrated effective removal of target EPs under real wastewater conditions, underscoring its viability as a sustainable alternative for enhancing wastewater treatment processes, contributing to environmental protection and public health. Future studies could explore the long-term efficiency of PAA application and its scalability. [Display omitted] •Peracetic acid for removing steroid hormones in real wastewater pilot installation•Removal efficiency above 80 % for the three-target steroid hormones•15 mg/L of PAA and 15 min of contact time reached the maximum of removal.•Temperature and E.coli strongly correlated with steroid hormones removal efficiency