Comparative Study of Conventional and Modern Sewage Treatment Technologies - A Review

Abstract

Sewage treatment is a crucial component of environmental engineering, aimed at minimizing the adverse impact of wastewater on the environment and public health. Conventional sewage treatment processes, such as Activated Sludge Process (ASP) and Trickling Filters (TF), have been widely used for decades. However, modern technologies, including Membrane Bioreactors (MBR), Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBR), and Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBR), offer improved efficiency and reduced operational costs. This review article provides a comparative analysis of conventional and modern sewage treatment technologies based on efficiency, cost, energy consumption, and environmental impact.

Introduction

Sewage treatment is crucial for maintaining water quality and preventing environmental pollution. Traditional methods like Activated Sludge Process (ASP) and Trickling Filters have been effective but face challenges such as high sludge production and energy use. Modern technologies like Membrane Bioreactors (MBR), Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBR), and Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBR) offer improved efficiency, sustainability, and reduced environmental impact.

In India, sewage generation exceeds 60,000 million liters per day (MLD), but only about 40-45% is treated due to limited STP capacity, uneven distribution, and operational inefficiencies. Metropolitan cities have better infrastructure and have begun adopting advanced technologies, while smaller towns struggle with inadequate treatment. Government initiatives such as AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission, and the National Mission for Clean Ganga focus on improving treatment coverage, promoting reuse of treated water, and modernizing sewage infrastructure.

Maharashtra, as a major state, generates about 9,100 MLD sewage and has a total STP capacity of approximately 9,800 MLD, with ongoing upgrades to meet growing demand and environmental standards.

Conclusion

This review highlights the differences between conventional and modern sewage treatment technologies in terms of efficiency, cost, and sustainability. While traditional methods such as ASP and TF have been widely used, modern techniques like MBR, SBR, and MBBR offer significant advantages in terms of higher efficiency, reduced sludge generation, and improved adaptability to varying wastewater characteristics. However, the selection of an appropriate treatment system depends on factors such as budget constraints, land availability, and environmental regulations. Future research should focus on optimizing these technologies to enhance their effectiveness and reduce operational costs further. By integrating modern treatment techniques with conventional systems, a sustainable and efficient approach to sewage treatment can be achieved, ensuring environmental protection and public health safety.

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Copyright © 2025 Mrs. Sonali Meshram , Ms. Pranjali Karhade . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.