INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT TODAY AND TOMORROW

The way we treat our wastewater nowadays is not always favourable for improving the quality of our environment. Indeed, the quality of the surface waters has increased by the high investments we have made in our treatment facilities, but it cannot be denied that these same facilities have a major impact on other environmental issues. From this point of view the question is raised as to which treatment techniques are favourable not only for the water phase, but also from the viewpoint of energy, waste production and renewal of resources. Over thirty techniques, all of them chemical/physical treatment techniques, have been reviewed, especially for the treatment of industrial wastewaters. More importantly, these techniques have been analysed thoroughly in a multi-criteria-analysis, not only for their environmental impacts, but also on criteria influencing the implementation of these techniques. From this multi-criteria-analysis the most favourable treatment technique to be developed and implemented may be chosen.