Life cycle assessment of waste water treatment plant (JPNT, Jodhpur).

Present study deals with the study of the environmental impacts associated with the treatment of wastewater in an effluent treatment plant (ETP) in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. For the purpose Life Cycle Assessment tool was adopted. There are many industries developing or under development in the western part of Rajasthan. Industries flourishing in Jodhpur are mainly textile, stainless steel re-rolling industries, engineering, chemical, handicrafts etc. These industries produce hazardous waste which cannot be disposed directly into the surface water and dumping sites as it is detrimental to the environment. The waste water from these industries is treated commonly by an effluent treatment plant of 20 MLD monitored by Jodhpur Pradushan Niwaran Trust (JPNT). The main goal of this study was to quantify the sludge loading that results from reaching the effluent quality standards set out by the government agencies. Present study also examines the environmental costs associated with the amount of sludge produced. Sludge generated from the effluent after the treatment is hazardous in nature. Removal of the hazardous sludge reduces the risk of the harmful substances being mixed in to the river. Thus the ETP is helping in maintaining the river water quality in which the treated water is being disposed. Though the ETP has positive effects for the river water quality yet the disposal of this sludge is still a challenge in near future. Moreover, the gases released were not reused and sludge overburden on environment is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]