Levels and treatment options for enteric and antibiotic resistant bacteria in sewage from Sisimiut, Greenland

Pernille Erland Jensen, Ragnhildur Gunnarsdottir, Henrik Rasmus Andersen, Grith Martinsen, Ellen Stærk Nicolajsen, Steffen Davidsen, Jens Toke

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    Abstract

    Sewage treatment in Arctic towns is inadequate. Sewage contains pathogenic microorganisms, parasites, antibiotic resistant bacteria, and toxic compounds. Discharging of untreated sewage can thus have a negative effect on people’s health and the aquatic environment in the receiving water bodies. Conventional treatment is challenging and expensive to implement in Arctic communities due to the cold climate and scattered population. In addition, advanced removal of nutrients may in many cases be overstated due to the low population density and large receiving water bodies. In this work we investigated the presence of Total coliforms, Escherichia coli (Ecoli), enterococci, streptococci, antibiotic resistant enteric bacteria, and toxicity in sewage from two sewer outlets in Sisimiut, West-Greenland, as well as in a sub-stream from the local hospital. According to the content of streptococci and enterococci, the wastewater is very strong, suggesting a potential hygienic risk. In addition, a high fraction of antibiotic resistant bacteria and an increased toxicity in the sub-stream from the hospital, suggest that this stream contains toxic compounds, possibly antibiotic of nature that may affect the local Arctic marine environment negatively. Both peracetic acid treatment and UV-C radiation shows potential for disinfection of the wastewater after removal of solids >60μm. E-coli was most susceptible to peracetic acid treatment, while a maximum possible reduction of enterococci and coliforms of 2-3 size orders was observed. The highest reduction observed by UV-C treatment was 4 size orders for enterococci, but no maximum level was observed. UV-treatment may thus be a preferred disinfection method, in particular for a community with long transport distances to the nearest chemical supplier and access to hydropower from a local hydropower plant.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationISCORD 2013. Planning for sustainable cold regions
    PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers
    Publication date2013
    Pages779-790
    ISBN (Electronic)978-0-7844-7789-2, 978-0-7844-1297-8
    Publication statusPublished - 2013
    Event10th International Symposium on Cold Regions Development: Planning for Sustainable Cold Regions - Anchorage, United States
    Duration: 2 Jun 20135 Jun 2013
    Conference number: 10

    Conference

    Conference10th International Symposium on Cold Regions Development
    Number10
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityAnchorage
    Period02/06/201305/06/2013

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