| Author | Thitirut Chaosakul |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-05-30 |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Due to increasing pressures on sewage and domestic wastewater treatment, changes in the present and future treatment systems are called in order to achieve sustainability. Sustainability challenges us to shift towards optimal resource utilization, and favouring transformation from unsustainable practices demands tools that can warn of future trends. Sustainability indicators have been suggested as tools for a number of fields, but they rarely exist in the wastewater treatment sectors. In this study sustainability of existing centralized domestic wastewater treatment systems in Bangkok, were studies by application of eco-indicator 95 and 99 methods of life cycle assessment (LCA). In parallel of this study sustainability scenarios on proposed decentralized (Septic tank with Soakage pit, and Septic tank with Anaerobic filter) and without treatment were evaluated instead of current centralized treatment system. The LCA methodology proved to be a proper instrument to evaluate the wastewater treatment system on the sustainability. The environmental, technical, economic and socio-cultural aspects were considered to evaluate sustainability, and appraisal of sustainability indicator for both centralized and decentralized system. In centralized treatment systems Eutrophication was found the most environmental impact potential (Huay Kwang 2.58 milli-point and Si Phraya 0.872 milli-point for every cubic meter of wastewater), due to effluent discharge. The environmental damages (Human Health, Ecosystem Quality and Resources) were mainly from energy consumptionand plastic use, which total contribution of 4.93 milli-point affected from Huay Kwang and 6.03 milli-point from Si Phraya. In addition, within centralized system large wastewater treatment plant (Si Phraya) was more sustainable than small wastewater treatment plant (Huay Kwang). For decentralized systems there were no Eutrophication impact due to discharge in soil, and the environmental damage were average 4 times less than centralized system although they were less efficient in terms of pollutant removal. Finally, the decentralized wastewater treatment system, especially septic tank with soakage pit, was found the most sustainable domestic wastewater treatment system. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Thammarat Koottatep; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Visvanathan, C. ;Aramaki , Toshiya |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Her Majesty The Queen of Thailand ; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.)--Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |