The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency recognizes the adverse effects of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment and has mandated the testing of advanced wastewater treatment technologies by 2018. A report highlights the need for these technologies, identifies technical solutions for effective removal of pharmaceutical residues, and discusses socio-economic aspects of implementation. The agency emphasizes that while proven technologies exist, it is crucial to assess costs and governance related to their adoption.

1. 2018-02-06Naturvårdsverket | Swedish Environmental Protection Agency 1
ADVANCED WASTEWATER TREATMENT
FOR SEPARATION AND REMOVAL OF
PHARMACEUTICAL RESIDUES AND
OTHER HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Kerstin Bly Joyce
Swedish Environmental
Protection Agency
OECD Workshop on
Contaminants of
emerging concern in
surface waters
Paris 5 Feb

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• The Swedish Government has recognized challenges
with adverse effects of certain pharmaceuticals in the
aquatic environment
• “Advanced technologies for the removal of
pharmaceutical residues and other micropollutants should
be tested and evaluated in full scale no later than 2018”
(Govt Bill 2013/14:39)
• Government Commission to Swedish EPA on removal of
pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment in Dec 2015
• Delivered April 2017, report at www.naturvardsverket.se
Starting points

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Commission about pharmaceuticals
Examine the conditions for using advanced
wastewater treatment to remove pharmaceutical
residues to protect the aquatic environment
Need of advanced treatment
Technical solutions including advantages and
disadvantages
Other aspects to consider

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431 medium WWTP
> 2 000 population equivalents (pe)
19 large WWTPs > 100 000 pe
Dialogue:
Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management
Swedish Medical Products Agency
Swedish Chemical Agency
Reference group
Project scope

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Estimated concentrations of pharmaceutical
substances
(ng/L)
Values exceed
criteria
3 selected
WWTPs
(of 14 in study)
Values exceed
effect level

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Need for advanced treatment
Swedish EPA finds a need to introduce advanced treatment of
pharmaceutical residues in wastewater. Mainly based on long-
term effects in the aquatic environment.
Factors to consider when prioritizing implementation:
• Amount of pharmaceutical substances and other persistent
pollutants released into receiving waters
• Water recharge rate of receiving waters and dilution
- low initial dilution and low water renewal gives higher risk to
reach levels of impact
• Sensitivity of receiving water body

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Technical solutions for advanced
wastewater treatment
• Technologies are
available
• Combinations of
techniques > nearly
complete removal of
pharmaceuticals and
other
micropollutants
• For complete
separation of micro
particles ultra
filtration is needed

8. Socio-economic aspects of advanced
treatment of pharmaceutical substances
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BENEFITS COSTS
DRIVERS OBSTACLES

9. NEED OF ADVANCED TREATMENT
Reduce risk of negative environmental impact from
pharmaceutical residues from a long-term perspective.
Separation of other hazardous substances strengthens the
need
TECHNOLOGIES
Proven technologies exist, working on both smaller and
larger scale. Adapt to local conditions and needs.
CONSEQUENCES
Benefits identified for society, but difficult to quantify.
Further assessments of costs and benefits where need is
set against cost. Investigate governance and control.
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Summary

10. THANK YOU
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Kerstin Bly Joyce
Environmental Economics unit, Swedish EPA
kerstin.joyce@naturvardsverket.se