A Study on the Situation and Learnings of the Precipitant Shortage in the German Wastewater Sector

Cora Eichholz (), Matthias Barjenbruch, Claus-Gerhard Bannick and Peter Hartwig
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Cora Eichholz: Department of Urban Water Management, Technical University of Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany
Matthias Barjenbruch: Department of Urban Water Management, Technical University of Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany
Claus-Gerhard Bannick: Department of Wastewater Technology Research and Wastewater Disposal, German Environment Agency, 14195 Berlin, Germany
Peter Hartwig: Aqua & Waste International GmbH, 30177 Hannover, Germany

Resources, 2023, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Wastewater treatment companies are particularly confronted by the energy and supply crisis resulting from the war in the Ukraine. More specifically, production and supply problems with precipitant production have shown that today’s wastewater treatment technology in Germany is not crisis-proofed and must become more resilient. The aim of this paper was to determine a required precipitant quantity for Germany with regard to chemical phosphorus elimination, as well as the expected shortfalls due to the shortage situation. Furthermore, possible solutions were identified for how the precipitant can be saved or substituted. Study surveys were conducted to gather data for a meaningful response regarding the operators (wastewater treatment plants, industry, and water suppliers), manufacturers, and the German federal states. A recommendation is given on what a path to more resilient wastewater management with a focus on phosphorus elimination could look like. Based on the data obtained, the report focused on wastewater engineering issues for wastewater treatment plants and industry. The results of the study are relevant for decision-makers, researchers, and operators in the wastewater sector in order to intervene in the market themselves if necessary, e.g., money for production or conversion to biological phosphorus elimination.

Keywords: phosphorus; precipitant shortage; resilience of WWTPs; resilience of wastewater treatment plants; Bio-P; biological phosphorus removal; chemical phosphorus removal; German wastewater sector (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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