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| Rural Industries |
Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of the Sentinel Effluent Treatment Plant in removing organic agricultural chemicals from water at concentrations typical of those used in spray application and resulting from equipment washing.
Background
There are many operations and processes during which
potential hazards to health or environmental safety may be present.
Disposal of water based effluents containing pesticides is one
area where there is potential for environmental contamination.
These effluents can result from washing of agricultural spraying
equipment, chemical manufacturing plant and used chemical containers,
and from unused spray liquors and other areas.
The Sentinel Effluent Treatment Plant has the potential to help in the disposal of effluents containing pesticides. The plant and the treatment process have been developed in the United Kingdom by E Allman and Co. and ICI. The unit was developed to treat water-based effluents containing organic chemicals. It removes the chemicals by a process of flocculation and activated carbon filtration allowing safe disposal or recycling of the water component and concentrating the chemical to a solid form for disposal.
Research
A Sentinel unit was provided for the tests by ICI Australia and located at Rutherglen Research Institute. The unit was modified and tests carried out on a range of chemicals. Levels of chemicals in treated water and in the solids from the process were determined. The chemical analyses were conducted by the State Chemistry Laboratories in Melbourne.
Outcome
The Sentinel Plant reduced the concentration in water
of the pesticides examined to low levels, except for glyphosate.
For the pesticides other than glyphosphate, levels after treatment
were close to the national standards for drinking, fresh and marine
water. However the most appropriate method for disposing of treated
water is likely to be into an on-site seepage or pondage system
or into the local sewer (subject to appropriate approval or recycling).
Disposal of solids as toxic waste would be the approved means.
A leachate test on solids showed disposal in land-fill tips would
not be appropriate.
The unit was simple and easy to operate. Close monitoring
of the activated carbon filters to ensure early detection of carbon
saturation would be necessary for safe operation of the unit.
A multi-prong approach to dealing with waste effluents containing pesticides will continue to require the major emphasis, as in the Operation Clean Rinse program by AVCARE and other initiatives, aimed at reducing the levels of effluent.
Implications
The unit could be valuable for dealing with waste
spray liquors and equipment washing by spray contractors, farmers
and farm cooperatives, contract disposal of stock dipping liquors,
in the washing and disposal of spray containers and in the AVCARE
Operation Clean Rinse Program. Disposal of solids from the unit
would restrict its value because of the cost of toxic waste disposal.
RIRDC Project No: DAV-55A
RESEARCHERS: G R Code, A J Chambers and G Roberts
ORGANISATION: VIC Department of Agriculture
Rutherglen Research Institute RMB 1145 RUTHERGLEN VIC 3685PHONE: 060 32 9208
FAX: 060 32 9827
Last updated: 10 October 1996
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