Advanced Micropollutant Removal Using Ozone in Wastewater Treatment
How Primozone Ozone Technology Improves Water Quality and Environmental Compliance.
As environmental regulations tighten and water quality standards continue to evolve, wastewater treatment plants are under increasing pressure to remove micropollutants more effectively. Pharmaceutical residues, personal care products, industrial chemicals, pesticides, and other trace contaminants are now being detected in rivers, lakes, and groundwater worldwide.
Traditional wastewater treatment methods often struggle to eliminate these persistent compounds. Advanced micropollutant removal using ozone water treatment technology from Primozone provides an efficient, sustainable, and future-ready solution for advanced micropollutant removal.
What Are Micropollutants?
Micropollutants are trace contaminants commonly found in municipal and industrial wastewater. These substances include:
- Pharmaceuticals and medicines
- Hormones and antibiotics
- Household cleaning chemicals
- Personal care products and cosmetics
- Pesticides and industrial compounds
Even in extremely low concentrations, micropollutants can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems, disrupt wildlife, and contribute to long-term environmental damage.
With stricter environmental legislation emerging across Europe and globally, advanced wastewater treatment technologies are becoming essential for water utilities and treatment facilities.
What regulations exist in the UK for micropollutants in wastewater?
In the UK, micropollutants in wastewater are regulated mainly through Environment Agency discharge permits under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. While there is no single law specifically for all micropollutants, they are increasingly monitored under water quality frameworks linked to the Water Framework Directive (WFD) principles, which aim to achieve good ecological status in rivers and water bodies.
Regulators such as the Environment Agency and Ofwat are placing greater focus on reducing trace organic pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals, as part of wider environmental compliance and sustainability goals. This is driving wastewater treatment plants to adopt advanced technologies like ozone treatment to meet current and future regulatory requirements.
Why Ozone Is Effective for Micropollutant Removal
Ozone (O₃) is one of the most powerful oxidising agents used in modern water treatment. Ozone treatment works by rapidly oxidising complex organic compounds, bacteria, viruses, and inorganic contaminants.
Unlike many chemical treatment processes, ozone naturally decomposes back into oxygen after use, making it a highly sustainable wastewater treatment solution.
Key Benefits of Ozone Water Treatment
- Effective removal of persistent micropollutants
- Improved wastewater quality and clarity
- Reduction in organic load and sludge production
- No harmful chemical residues or by-products
- Enhanced pathogen and bacteria control
- Supports compliance with environmental regulations
- Sustainable and energy-efficient water treatment process
Primozone ozone systems are specifically designed to maximise ozone transfer efficiency while minimising energy consumption and operational costs.
How Primozone Advance Ozone Water Technology Works
Primozone’s advanced ozone generators are engineered for high-performance wastewater treatment applications.
1. Ozone Generation
Pure oxygen passes through a high-voltage electrical discharge inside the ozone generator, creating ozone gas on-site.
2. Ozone Injection
The ozone is injected directly into wastewater streams or biological treatment tanks using advanced diffusion systems for optimal contact efficiency.
3. Oxidation and Contaminant Breakdown
Ozone reacts with organic matter, pharmaceutical residues, pathogens, micropollutants, and other difficult-to-remove contaminants.
4. Clean Water Discharge
Any excess ozone naturally converts back into oxygen, leaving no harmful chemical residues and producing cleaner, safer water.
Case Study: Birmensdorf Wastewater Treatment Plant, Switzerland
The Birmensdorf Wastewater Treatment Plant in Switzerland upgraded its facility with a Primozone ozone treatment system to improve advanced wastewater purification for approximately 33,000 residents.
Project Highlights
- Installation of two Primozone GM36 ozone generators
- Treatment capacity of 464 litres of wastewater per second
- Significant reduction and elimination of micropollutants
- Improved compliance with modern environmental standards
- Enhanced sustainability and public environmental confidence
By implementing advanced ozone treatment technology, the facility successfully future-proofed its wastewater treatment operations while significantly improving effluent quality.
The Future of Sustainable Wastewater Treatment
As global concerns surrounding water pollution continue to grow, advanced oxidation technologies such as ozone are becoming increasingly important for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants.
Investing in ozone-based micropollutant removal helps deliver:
- Cleaner rivers, lakes, and waterways
- Better protection for aquatic ecosystems
- Reduced environmental impact
- Improved public health outcomes
- Long-term sustainable water management
Primozone’s ozone water treatment systems provide a reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible solution for tackling today’s most challenging wastewater contaminants.
What happens to ozone after treatment?
After reacting with contaminants, excess ozone naturally decomposes into oxygen. This makes it a clean and sustainable treatment method with no harmful chemical residuals.
Speak to the Ozone Disinfection Specialists
If you are considering ozone for micropollutant treatment, contact our team who can help design a solution for your facility.
Contact SOS for more information on Primozone® ozone technology.
Call: 0161 221 2231
Email: info@soshygiene.com.
Specialised Ozone Solutions and SOS Hygiene Technologies are proud members of the European Ozone Trading Association
FAQs: Ozone for Micropollutant Removal in Wastewater Treatment
What is ozone micropollutant removal in wastewater treatment?
Ozone micropollutant removal is an advanced oxidation process where ozone (O₃) is used to break down trace contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and personal care chemicals in wastewater. It helps improve water quality beyond conventional treatment methods.
How does ozone remove micropollutants from water?
Ozone works by oxidising organic and chemical compounds at a molecular level. This process breaks micropollutants into simpler, less harmful substances, which can then be further treated or safely discharged.
Why is ozone effective for wastewater treatment?
Ozone is highly effective because it is one of the strongest oxidising agents used in water treatment. It reacts quickly with a wide range of contaminants and leaves no harmful chemical residue, as it naturally decomposes back into oxygen.
Does ozone completely remove all micropollutants?
Ozone significantly reduces many micropollutants, but removal efficiency depends on the compound type, dosage, and contact time. In many systems, ozone is combined with biological or filtration processes for maximum effectiveness.
What are the benefits of using ozone in wastewater treatment?
Key benefits include:
- High removal efficiency for pharmaceuticals and chemicals
- Improved effluent water quality
- Reduced environmental impact
- No persistent chemical by-products
- Support for regulatory compliance
- Sustainable and energy-efficient operation
Is ozone treatment safe for the environment?
Yes. When used correctly, ozone treatment is environmentally safe. After reacting with contaminants, ozone naturally breaks down into oxygen, leaving no long-term harmful residues in the water.
What types of pollutants can ozone remove?
Ozone is effective against:
- Pharmaceuticals and antibiotics
- Hormones and endocrine disruptors
- Industrial chemicals
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Organic micro-contaminants
Is ozone used in municipal wastewater treatment plants?
Yes, many municipal wastewater treatment plants use ozone as part of advanced treatment stages to meet stricter environmental regulations and improve effluent quality before discharge into natural water bodies.
How does ozone compare to traditional wastewater treatment methods?
Traditional treatment methods mainly remove solids and biodegradable material, while ozone targets dissolved micropollutants and persistent organic compounds that conventional systems often cannot eliminate effectively.
