(Physical characterization of the residue of a water treatment plant for using in building materials)

Abstract

In the Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), the production of treated water generates residues, which are usually called water treatment residues (WTR). Most of these WTPs discharge waste into watercourses, despite the national solid waste policy assigning responsibility for adopting sustainable ways to disposal the wastes to the generating source, because its launch "in natura" in water bodies is harmful. The aim of this work was to determine the physical characteristics of the waste generated in a Water Treatment Plant according to normative parameters in order to consider sustainable alternatives for its reuse in the production of building materials and, therefore, reducing the potential environmental impacts on water streams. Thus, the following tests were performed on the residue: consistency index, granulometry, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results show the potential application of the residue for partially replacing soil and/or sand in the production of construction and building materials.

Keywords:
water treatment plants; water treatment residues; construction and building materials