우리나라 공공하수처리시설의 방류수 수질 관리체계 개선방안 고찰- 미국, 일본, 유럽의 공공하수처리시설 방류수 수질 관리제도를 중심으로 -

Abstract

In recent years, Ministry of Environment (MOE) has been implementing a phasedstrengthening of the effluent standards for sewage treatment plants. In this regard, a comprehensivesystem should be developed to help check the appropriateness of such standards by specifying thegrounds for standard-setting and investigating the current operation of sewage treatment plants clearly. It is necessary to establish a new standard-setting system for the effluent that is in a closerconnection with the environmental criteria and rating systems. In the United States, the federal government provides guidelines on the least provisions andrequirements for the Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs). Local governments set the sameor stricter guidelines that reflect the characteristics of each state. In Japan, the sewage treatmentplants are subject to both the effluent standards and the discharge acceptable limits to pubic watersunder the sewerage law. Specific requirements and limits are set in accordance with localgovernment regulations. The European Union imposes sewage treatment plants with differentprovisions for effluent standards, depending on the sensitivity of public waters to eutrophication. The effluent standards for sewage treatment plants are classified by pollutant loads discharged toreceiving waters. MOE also needs to introduce systems for setting new parameter standards on a POTW effluentby applying statistical means and treatment efficiencies or optimal treatment techniques, as seen inthe cases of the US National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) or the EU IntegratedPollution Prevention and Control (IPPC).