2.

Introduction and Purpose

The eastern treatment plant (ETP) has been using to serve 1.6 million people and
receives around 400 million litres per day. A tertiary upgrade had been made to the
treatment plant to treat wastewater that have been directed from the households and
industries (Melbourne Water, 2009).

The process of sewage treatment includes physical, chemical and biological, which
used to remove contaminants and produce treated recycled water that is safer for
the environment. The sludge undergoes further treatment before disposal or being
used in other application on land (Peter, 2018).

The major purpose of the tertiary upgrade at the Eastern Treatment Plant is to
disinfect water. Firstly, the treated effluent that as processed through primary and
secondary treatment is being pumped into the advance tertiary treatment plant. This
is where ozone is added to disinfect water and reduce colour and odour. Then, the
biological filter helps filtrate the remaining organic matters, oil, grease, litter and fat
balls. Before chlorine is added to disinfect water, ammonia is reduced to the lowest
level to be more effective. Chlorine is then added for final disinfection before the
treated water is provided to nearby consumers or released into the ocean.

It is important to maintain the chlorine concentration in discharged water to be less

than 0.1mg/L while there must be a ratio of 10 E.Coli per 100 ml of discharged water.
This report will evaluate the risk based on the quantitative risk analysis (QRA) that
the discharge effluent meets the require standard quality.

3. Risk Identification

 High concentration of chlorine may effect sea life

Disposal of highly contaminated wastewater into can cause damage towards the
marine ecosystem. Chlorine is a very reactive chemical which can give marine
invertebrates and fishes chemical burns.
 Highly corrosive chlorine can wear away coral reef n eating seashells

 Exposure to E.Coli can cause sickness in human.

On the other hand, low concentration of chlorine can create wastewater prone
bacteria such as E.Coli (Sensorex, 2017). The microbial pathogens in wastewater
are the major concern toward human health. These bacteria can cause diseases
such as diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps.
 Long exposure to Chlorine can be a threat towards human health.
Chlorine poisoning can occur when you touch, swallow or inhale chlorine. People
with long-term exposure to chlorine are more likely to have chlorine reaction on skin
such as itchy, red skins or hives (AGAAI, 2018). Moreover, chlorine can cause
damage in circulatory system, showing symptoms such as skin damage and blurry
vision (Bree, 2017).
 High corrosive chlorine will erode the metal pipes.
A high concentration of corrosive chloride causes metal pipes in water treatment
plants to corrode at a fast rate. Chlorine’s effectiveness as disinfectant has been
reliable in water treatment plant, but because the reaction with metal pipes cause
chlorine not able to act as disinfectant, which leads to a spike in bacteria level
(WPCF, 1984).
 Use of recycled chloride water can be toxic to plantation.
Wastewater treatment regenerate recycled water into the urban society for various
uses. The use of recycled water in agricultural plantation can be lethal to plants if
sprayed directly on leaves, and if it accumulates in soils from ongoing irrigation
(Recycled Water in Australia, 2018).

1. Water Pollution Control Federation: Disinfection Committee

(1984). Wastewater Disinfection: A State-of the-Art Report. Alexandria, VA,
Water Pollution Control Federation.