Assessing Energy Consumption and Treatment Efficiency Correlation: The Case of the Metamorphosis Wastewater Treatment Plant in Attica, Greece
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are crucial for environmental protection and public health; however, they are among the most energy-intensive facilities in the water sector. This study examines the correlation between energy consumption and treatment efficiency at the Metamorphosis WWTP (MWWTP)...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Nikolaos Tsalas Spyridon K. Golfinopoulos Stylianos Samios |
| author_facet | Nikolaos Tsalas Spyridon K. Golfinopoulos Stylianos Samios |
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| description | Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are crucial for environmental protection and public health; however, they are among the most energy-intensive facilities in the water sector. This study examines the correlation between energy consumption and treatment efficiency at the Metamorphosis WWTP (MWWTP) in Attica, Greece, during the years 2022 and 2023. By analyzing influent and effluent characteristics, energy consumption patterns, and the removal efficiencies of key pollutants—Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD<sub>5</sub>), and Suspended Solids (SS)—this research provides valuable insights into optimizing wastewater treatment operations. The findings reveal that, despite seasonal variations and fluctuations in influent composition, the facility consistently achieved high pollutant removal rates while maintaining stable energy consumption. The influent BOD<sub>5</sub> increased from 992.8 mg L<sup>−1</sup> in 2022 to 1122.3 mg L<sup>−1</sup> in 2023. COD rose from 1925.4 mg L<sup>−1</sup> to 2594.4 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, SS from 1280.8 mg L<sup>−1</sup> to 1421.2 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, and total phosphorus from 14.2 mg L<sup>−1</sup> to 17.0 mg L<sup>−1</sup>. Effluent concentrations remained consistently low, with BOD<sub>5</sub> at 6.1 mg L<sup>−1</sup> in 2022 and 4.7 mg L<sup>−1</sup> in 2023; COD at 23.8 mg L<sup>−1</sup> and 25.2 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively; total nitrogen at 20.2 mg L<sup>−1</sup> and 16.7 mg L<sup>−1</sup>; total phosphorus at 2.4 mg L<sup>−1</sup> and 2.6 mg L<sup>−1</sup>; and SS at 2.4 mg L<sup>−1</sup> and 3.5 mg L<sup>−1</sup>. These results indicate removal efficiencies exceeding 90%. Energy consumption remained stable, recorded at 13,044.9 kWh (0.593 kWh m<sup>−3</sup> influent) in 2022 and 13,126.1 kWh (0.598 kWh m<sup>−3</sup> influent) in 2023. These results highlight the importance of integrating energy-efficient strategies and renewable energy solutions to enhance wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sustainability. This study contributes to ongoing efforts to improve energy optimization in wastewater treatment, supporting global initiatives for carbon footprint reduction and advancing the principles of a circular economy. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-61cc2d4eb1ad44e0984e7a50c81da1912025-08-20T02:21:54ZengMDPI AGUrban Science2413-88512025-06-019620110.3390/urbansci9060201Assessing Energy Consumption and Treatment Efficiency Correlation: The Case of the Metamorphosis Wastewater Treatment Plant in Attica, GreeceNikolaos Tsalas0Spyridon K. Golfinopoulos1Stylianos Samios2Department of Financial and Management Engineering, School of Engineering, University of the Aegean, Kountourioti 41, GR-82132 Chios, GreeceDepartment of Financial and Management Engineering, School of Engineering, University of the Aegean, Kountourioti 41, GR-82132 Chios, GreeceResearch and Development Department, Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company S.A (EYDAP), 156 Oropou Str., GR-11146 Athens, GreeceWastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are crucial for environmental protection and public health; however, they are among the most energy-intensive facilities in the water sector. This study examines the correlation between energy consumption and treatment efficiency at the Metamorphosis WWTP (MWWTP) in Attica, Greece, during the years 2022 and 2023. By analyzing influent and effluent characteristics, energy consumption patterns, and the removal efficiencies of key pollutants—Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD<sub>5</sub>), and Suspended Solids (SS)—this research provides valuable insights into optimizing wastewater treatment operations. The findings reveal that, despite seasonal variations and fluctuations in influent composition, the facility consistently achieved high pollutant removal rates while maintaining stable energy consumption. The influent BOD<sub>5</sub> increased from 992.8 mg L<sup>−1</sup> in 2022 to 1122.3 mg L<sup>−1</sup> in 2023. COD rose from 1925.4 mg L<sup>−1</sup> to 2594.4 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, SS from 1280.8 mg L<sup>−1</sup> to 1421.2 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, and total phosphorus from 14.2 mg L<sup>−1</sup> to 17.0 mg L<sup>−1</sup>. Effluent concentrations remained consistently low, with BOD<sub>5</sub> at 6.1 mg L<sup>−1</sup> in 2022 and 4.7 mg L<sup>−1</sup> in 2023; COD at 23.8 mg L<sup>−1</sup> and 25.2 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively; total nitrogen at 20.2 mg L<sup>−1</sup> and 16.7 mg L<sup>−1</sup>; total phosphorus at 2.4 mg L<sup>−1</sup> and 2.6 mg L<sup>−1</sup>; and SS at 2.4 mg L<sup>−1</sup> and 3.5 mg L<sup>−1</sup>. These results indicate removal efficiencies exceeding 90%. Energy consumption remained stable, recorded at 13,044.9 kWh (0.593 kWh m<sup>−3</sup> influent) in 2022 and 13,126.1 kWh (0.598 kWh m<sup>−3</sup> influent) in 2023. These results highlight the importance of integrating energy-efficient strategies and renewable energy solutions to enhance wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sustainability. This study contributes to ongoing efforts to improve energy optimization in wastewater treatment, supporting global initiatives for carbon footprint reduction and advancing the principles of a circular economy.https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/6/201wastewater treatment plantenergy demandtreatment efficiencyrenewable energy integrationcarbon footprint reductioncircular economy |
| spellingShingle | Nikolaos Tsalas Spyridon K. Golfinopoulos Stylianos Samios Assessing Energy Consumption and Treatment Efficiency Correlation: The Case of the Metamorphosis Wastewater Treatment Plant in Attica, Greece Urban Science wastewater treatment plant energy demand treatment efficiency renewable energy integration carbon footprint reduction circular economy |
| title | Assessing Energy Consumption and Treatment Efficiency Correlation: The Case of the Metamorphosis Wastewater Treatment Plant in Attica, Greece |
| title_full | Assessing Energy Consumption and Treatment Efficiency Correlation: The Case of the Metamorphosis Wastewater Treatment Plant in Attica, Greece |
| title_fullStr | Assessing Energy Consumption and Treatment Efficiency Correlation: The Case of the Metamorphosis Wastewater Treatment Plant in Attica, Greece |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing Energy Consumption and Treatment Efficiency Correlation: The Case of the Metamorphosis Wastewater Treatment Plant in Attica, Greece |
| title_short | Assessing Energy Consumption and Treatment Efficiency Correlation: The Case of the Metamorphosis Wastewater Treatment Plant in Attica, Greece |
| title_sort | assessing energy consumption and treatment efficiency correlation the case of the metamorphosis wastewater treatment plant in attica greece |
| topic | wastewater treatment plant energy demand treatment efficiency renewable energy integration carbon footprint reduction circular economy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2413-8851/9/6/201 |
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