Apop - Removal of endocrine disrupters in the outlet water from wastewater treatment plants in combination with inactivation of pathogenic microorganism

The overall objective of the project was to design a basis for a methodology that would enable the removal of endocrine disrupters (including oestrogen-like substances and AOX compounds) that at the same time also inactivated pathogenic micro-organisms. The project constructed an APOP treatment plant next to the existing traditional wastewater treatment plant of the Hørsholm municipality. The process involved an oxidation and UV-radiation treatment of the water, managing to demonstrate that it is possible to reach an effluent level that meets the requirements of the EU Bathing Water Directive for bathing water and that removal of endocrine disrupters from wastewater to a non-hazardous level of estrogenic activity is also achievable. The technology side of the project seems to work. However, the good results achieved are tied to the local (and often specific) conditions. The composition of the waste water may vary from locality to locality and thus the exact APOP method needs adjustment and modifications every time it is used. It is not merely the technology, but also the very policy area of the impact of endocrine disrupters and how to tackle this impact that is still very new and little-researched.