effectiveness of selected onsite wastewater-treatment systems...

Effectiveness of Selected Onsite Effectiveness of Selected Onsite WastewaterWastewater--Treatment Systems Treatment Systems

in Removing Pharmaceutical in Removing Pharmaceutical and Personaland Personal--Care Products Care Products

Marc ZimmermanMarc ZimmermanUSGS MAUSGS MA--RI Water Science CenterRI Water Science Center

andandGeorge HeufelderGeorge Heufelder

Barnstable County Department of Health and Barnstable County Department of Health and EnvironmentEnvironment

This project was funded in part by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection with funds from the United States Environmental Protection Agency under a Section 319 competitive grant. The contents of this presentation do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the departments mentioned.

Test Center MissionTest Center Mission

Provide independent data on alternative septic Provide independent data on alternative septic systemssystems

Provide a location where products can be Provide a location where products can be improvedimproved

Provide a location where needed research can be Provide a location where needed research can be conductedconducted

Operated by Operated by

Barnstable County Department of Health and the Barnstable County Department of Health and the EnvironmentEnvironment

In cooperation withIn cooperation with

Massachusetts DEPMassachusetts DEP

New England Region EPANew England Region EPA

TEST CENTER

AutoSamplersAutoSamplers

••Discrete SampleDiscrete Sample

••Synchronized with discharge Synchronized with discharge

Wastewater sourceWastewater source

Combined effluent from Coast Guard Combined effluent from Coast Guard housing and the Barnstable County housing and the Barnstable County Correctional facility is diverted to the test Correctional facility is diverted to the test center and into holding tanks for each center and into holding tanks for each system.system.

Onsite wastewaterOnsite wastewater--treatment systemstreatment systems

Onsite systems primarily function to remove BOD, Onsite systems primarily function to remove BOD, TSS, and nitrogen. They are neither designed nor TSS, and nitrogen. They are neither designed nor nornor intended to remove intended to remove OWCsOWCs and PPCPs.and PPCPs.

Treatment generally begins in a confined unit, Treatment generally begins in a confined unit, such as a septic tank, followed by additional such as a septic tank, followed by additional treatment and discharge to the environment.treatment and discharge to the environment.

Discharge to the environment is generally through Discharge to the environment is generally through subsurface dispersal to leach fields where effluent subsurface dispersal to leach fields where effluent percolates into the ground water.percolates into the ground water.

Why are onsite systems so important Why are onsite systems so important on Cape Cod?on Cape Cod?

SoleSole--source aquifer (upper 100source aquifer (upper 100’’ primarily primarily permeable sand and gravel)permeable sand and gravel)

SeweredSewered areas few and far betweenareas few and far between

Public water supplies dispersedPublic water supplies dispersed

Numerous private and semiNumerous private and semi--public water public water suppliessupplies

Cape Cod Bay

HistoryHistory

PerskyPersky (1986) found, among other (1986) found, among other determinations, a clear relation between determinations, a clear relation between housing density and nitrate concentration in housing density and nitrate concentration in groundground--water in the Cape Cod aquifer. water in the Cape Cod aquifer.

Zimmerman (2005) reported detecting 13 Zimmerman (2005) reported detecting 13 OWCsOWCs and PPCPs in public, semiand PPCPs in public, semi--public, public, and private water supplies and 43 in and private water supplies and 43 in wastewater sources on Cape Cod in 2004. In wastewater sources on Cape Cod in 2004. In addition, acetaminophen, addition, acetaminophen, carbamazepinecarbamazepine, , and sulfamethoxazole were detected in a and sulfamethoxazole were detected in a wastewater plume about 1 mile away from a wastewater plume about 1 mile away from a treatment plant.treatment plant.

This studyThis study

In 2006, the Barnstable County Department In 2006, the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment, with funding of Health and Environment, with funding from Region I of the USEPA, in a from Region I of the USEPA, in a continuation of our previous collaboration, continuation of our previous collaboration, requested our participation in examining the requested our participation in examining the effectiveness of various onsite wastewater effectiveness of various onsite wastewater treatment systems in removing treatment systems in removing OWCsOWCs and and PPCPs from wastewater.PPCPs from wastewater.

Onsite SystemsOnsite Systems

Wastewater FeedWastewater Feed

Perforated PVC PipePerforated PVC Pipe

Double Washed Stone Double Washed Stone Aggregate Aggregate ¾”¾”-- 11--1/21/2””

11’’ or 2or 2’’ Sand Sand

sampling portsampling port

40 mil impervious liner40 mil impervious liner

““ControlControl”” systemsystem

Hydraulic Loading 1.42 gal/sq ft/dayHydraulic Loading 1.42 gal/sq ft/day

Origin of influent Origin of influent -- 1500 gallon septic tank with 1.7 day 1500 gallon septic tank with 1.7 day residence time (900 gal/day influent feed).residence time (900 gal/day influent feed).

1500 Gallon 1500 Gallon Septic TankSeptic Tank

1500 Gallon 1500 Gallon Septic TankSeptic Tank

SOIL ABSORPTION SYSTEMSOIL ABSORPTION SYSTEM

Standard Standard ““Massachusetts Title 5Massachusetts Title 5”” Septic System Septic System

Distribution Distribution BoxBox


55’’ sandsand

Loading Rate ~ 0.74 gal/day/sq ft to SASLoading Rate ~ 0.74 gal/day/sq ft to SAS

Residence time in septic tank ~ 5 daysResidence time in septic tank ~ 5 days

Residence time in soil unknownResidence time in soil unknown

SEPTIC TANKSEPTIC TANKSettling Settling with some with some returnreturn

Aeration with Aeration with mediamedia

Aerobic Treatment UnitAerobic Treatment Unit((fixed film and activated sludge process)fixed film and activated sludge process)


Average Total Residence Time ~ 5 daysAverage Total Residence Time ~ 5 days

Septic TankSeptic TankPump Pump ChamberChamber

Peat Modules with Pressure Peat Modules with Pressure Distribution Across Top of PeatDistribution Across Top of Peat


Collection DrainCollection Drain

Peat Treatment SystemPeat Treatment System

1500 Gallon Septic Tank 1500 Gallon Septic Tank –– Residence Time ~ 3 daysResidence Time ~ 3 days

1000 Gallon Pump Chamber 1000 Gallon Pump Chamber –– Residence Time ~ 1 dayResidence Time ~ 1 day

Peat Modules Peat Modules –– Residence Time estimated at 1 dayResidence Time estimated at 1 day

Total Residence Time ~ 5 daysTotal Residence Time ~ 5 days

Perforated PVC PipePerforated PVC Pipe

Synthetic Absorbent Porous Synthetic Absorbent Porous MediaMedia

sampling portsampling port40 mil impervious box40 mil impervious box

Absorbent synthetic porous media bed (foam)Absorbent synthetic porous media bed (foam)

Origin of influent Origin of influent -- 1500 gallon septic tank with 2.3 day 1500 gallon septic tank with 2.3 day residence time (660 gal/day influent feed). residence time (660 gal/day influent feed).

Residence time in Media ~ 1/4 Residence time in Media ~ 1/4 --1/3 day1/3 day

1616””

88’’

Average Total Residence Time ~ 3 daysAverage Total Residence Time ~ 3 days

Septic TankSeptic Tank

Septic TankSeptic Tank

Upflow Upflow Sulfur Sulfur ModuleModule

From From

residenceresidence

Sulfur Denitrification SystemSulfur Denitrification System

AerationAeration SettlingSettling AerationAeration SettlingSettling


1500 Gallon Septic Tank 1500 Gallon Septic Tank –– Residence Time ~ 3 daysResidence Time ~ 3 days

1000 Gallon Treatment Tank 1000 Gallon Treatment Tank –– Residence Time ~ 2 daysResidence Time ~ 2 days

1000 Gallon Treatment Tank 1000 Gallon Treatment Tank –– Residence Time ~ 2 daysResidence Time ~ 2 days

Sulfur upflow filter Sulfur upflow filter –– Residence Time ~ Residence Time ~ ½½ dayday

Total Residence Time ~ 7.5 daysTotal Residence Time ~ 7.5 days

Septic TankSeptic TankPump Pump ChamberChamber

Recirculating Sand Recirculating Sand FilterFilterFrom residenceFrom residence

Recirculating Sand Filter (RSFRecirculating Sand Filter (RSF )


Total Residence Time Estimated ~ 5 daysTotal Residence Time Estimated ~ 5 days

Study ApproachStudy Approach

On 12/12/2006, samples were collected in 3On 12/12/2006, samples were collected in 3--L L Teflon bottles from each system at 9 AM and 8 PM Teflon bottles from each system at 9 AM and 8 PM and were kept chilled until processing. Field and were kept chilled until processing. Field blanks and replicate samples were also collected blanks and replicate samples were also collected and processed.and processed.

After processing, samples were chilled, transported After processing, samples were chilled, transported to USGS MAto USGS MA--RI Water Science Center and shipped RI Water Science Center and shipped overnight to the USGS National Water Quality Lab overnight to the USGS National Water Quality Lab in Colorado for analysis.in Colorado for analysis.

Study ResultsStudy Results

anticoagulantWarfarinantibioticErythromycinantibioticTrimethoprimantihistamineDiphenhydramine

insecticideThiabendazoleantihypertensiveDiltiazemantibioticSulfamethoxazole

antianginalmetaboliteDehydronifedipine*

antiasthmaticSalbutamolnicotine metaboliteCotinine *antacidRanitidineanalgesicCodeine

anti-fungal agentMiconazoleantacidCimetidinediabetes treatmentMetforminanticonvulsantCarbamazepine

anti-inflammatory, analgesicIbuprofenbeverages, diureticCaffeine

antihyperlipidemicGemfibrozilantibioticAzithromycindiureticFurosemideanalgesicAcetaminophen

antidepressantFluoxetinecaffeine metabolitep-Xanthine *Primary usePrimary usePPCPPPCPPrimary usePrimary usePPCPPPCP

USGS analytical schedule and PPCPs detected

Detected or Not DetectedNot Detected; *, metabolite; detected in drinking-water in 2004

Analytical ResultsAnalytical Results

No PPCPs were detected in blanks.No PPCPs were detected in blanks.

Replicate concentrations were consistent Replicate concentrations were consistent with environmental samples. In general, with environmental samples. In general, concentrations did not vary much between concentrations did not vary much between morning and evening samples.morning and evening samples.

PPCPs detected were also consistent with PPCPs detected were also consistent with results of Glassmeyer and others (2005) for results of Glassmeyer and others (2005) for PPCPs in wastewater effluent.PPCPs in wastewater effluent.

0.0240.024--0.0260.0260.0620.062--0.0740.074----------TrimethoprimTrimethoprim0.0650.065--0.0660.0660.0380.038--0.0490.0490.0260.0260.0430.043--0.0840.0840.0820.082--0.0830.0830.0980.098--0.6620.6620.1360.136--0.2010.201SulfamethoxazoleSulfamethoxazole

--0.0300.030----------RanitidineRanitidine

0.2560.256--0.3180.318--8.068.06--9.129.120.0560.056--0.0570.0570.7800.780----pp--XanthineXanthine**0.0060.0060.0300.030----------FluoxetineFluoxetine

0.0250.025--0.0290.0290.0930.093--0.0950.095----0.0470.047--0.0510.051----DiphenhydramineDiphenhydramine

0.0260.026--0.0290.0290.0460.046--0.0660.066----------DiltiazemDiltiazem0.0080.008--0.0090.0090.0040.004--0.0060.006--0.0050.005--0.0060.0060.0080.008--0.0090.009DehydronifedipineDehydronifedipine**

----0.1900.190--0.3400.340--------CotinineCotinine**

--0.0320.032----------CodeineCodeine0.0630.063--0.0680.0680.0190.019--0.0290.0290.0080.008--0.0090.0090.0240.024--0.0260.0260.0250.025--0.0260.0260.0710.071--0.0890.0890.0470.047--0.0540.054CarbamazepineCarbamazepine1.731.73--2.372.370.2500.250--0.4200.42060.960.9--66.766.70.3100.310--0.3400.3406.576.57--8.648.64--0.0200.020CaffeineCaffeine

0.3600.360--0.5430.543--30.230.2--41.641.60.2470.247--0.2510.2510.3470.347--0.5000.500--0.1700.170--0.3920.392AcetaminophenAcetaminophen

RSFRSFSulfurSulfurFoam Foam Peat Peat AerobicAerobicTitle 5Title 5ControlControlPPCPPPCP

Disclaimer: All data presented are provisional and subject to revision prior to publication.

Concentrations of PPCPs detected

(Concentrations in µg/L)

How to interpret the results?How to interpret the results?

Numbers of PPCPs detected by Numbers of PPCPs detected by systemsystem

9910105555553355Number Number of PPCPs of PPCPs detecteddetected

RSFRSFSulfurSulfurFoamFoamPeatPeatAerobicAerobicTitle 5Title 5ControlControl

Number of systems with specific Number of systems with specific PPCPs (or metabolites) detectedPPCPs (or metabolites) detected

22TrimethoprimTrimethoprim77SulfamethoxazoleSulfamethoxazole11RanitidineRanitidine44pp--Xanthine*Xanthine*22FluoxetineFluoxetine33DiphenhydramineDiphenhydramine22DiltiazemDiltiazem55Dehydronifedipine*Dehydronifedipine*11Cotinine*Cotinine*11CodeineCodeine77CarbamazepineCarbamazepine66CaffeineCaffeine55AcetaminophenAcetaminophen

Number of systemsNumber of systemsPPCPPPCP

Treatment systems, holding times, physical features, residence tTreatment systems, holding times, physical features, residence times, and imes, and numbers of detects.numbers of detects.

99~5 d~5 d22’’ sandsand3 d3 dRSFRSF

10107.5 d7.5 d2424”” sulfur sulfur modulemodule

3 d3 dSulfurSulfur

55~3 d~3 d1616”” synthetic synthetic mediamedia

2.3 d2.3 dFoamFoam

55~5 d~5 d1818”” peat layerpeat layer3 d3 dPeatPeat

55~5 d~5 dfilm, film, activated activated sludge, sludge, aerationaeration

??AerobicAerobic

33??2424”” aggregate aggregate + 5+ 5’’ sandsand

5 d5 dTitle VTitle V

55??66”” aggregate aggregate + 1+ 1--22’’ sandsand

~1.7 d~1.7 dControlControl

# of # of PCPPsPCPPsdetecteddetected

Total residence Total residence timetime

Physical Physical featurefeature

Initial holding Initial holding time in septic time in septic

tanktank

TreatmentTreatment

YesYes22’’YesYesRSFRSF

SulfurSulfur

FoamFoam

PeatPeat

AerobicAerobic

Title VTitle V

ControlControl

TreatmentTreatment

YesYes22--2.52.5’’NoNo

YesYes1.31.3’’NoNo

YesYes1.51.5’’YesYes

YesYesNoneNoneYesYes

NoNo77’’NoNo

NoNo1.51.5--2.52.5’’NoNo

Nitrogen Nitrogen removalremoval

Thickness of Thickness of filtration filtration layer(slayer(s))

RecirculationRecirculation

Other features

SummarySummary

Simple sand filtration seems effectiveSimple sand filtration seems effective

Recirculation may increase concentrations Recirculation may increase concentrations and numbers of detectionsand numbers of detections

Individual compound and substrate Individual compound and substrate chemistries and physical properties may chemistries and physical properties may affect their interactions.affect their interactions.

A simple survey such as this may raise far A simple survey such as this may raise far more questions than it provides answers.more questions than it provides answers.

Next stepsNext steps

Test specific onsite treatment system Test specific onsite treatment system features to determine their effectsfeatures to determine their effects

Test addTest add--on on ozonationozonation and other systems and other systems that treat effluentthat treat effluent

Test additional systemsTest additional systems

ReferencesReferences

Glassmeyer, S.T., and others, 2005, Transport of Chemical and MiGlassmeyer, S.T., and others, 2005, Transport of Chemical and Microbial Compounds crobial Compounds from Known Wastewater Discharges: Potential for Use as Indicatorfrom Known Wastewater Discharges: Potential for Use as Indicators of Human Fecal s of Human Fecal Contamination, Environmental Science and Technology, v. 39 (14):Contamination, Environmental Science and Technology, v. 39 (14): 51575157--69.69.

PerskyPersky, J.H., 1986, The Relation of Ground, J.H., 1986, The Relation of Ground--Water Quality to Housing Density, Cape Cod, Water Quality to Housing Density, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, U.S. Geological Survey WaterMassachusetts, U.S. Geological Survey Water--Resources Investigations Report 86Resources Investigations Report 86--4093, 4093, 28 p.28 p.

Zimmerman, M.J., 2005, Occurrence of Organic Wastewater ContaminZimmerman, M.J., 2005, Occurrence of Organic Wastewater Contaminants, ants, Pharmaceuticals, and Personal Care Products in Selected Water SuPharmaceuticals, and Personal Care Products in Selected Water Supplies, Cape Cod, pplies, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, June 2004, U.S. Geological Survey OpenMassachusetts, June 2004, U.S. Geological Survey Open--File Report 2005File Report 2005--1206, 16 p. 1206, 16 p. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1206/][http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1206/]

effectiveness of selected onsite wastewater-treatment systems...

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