Pharmaceutical Industry Analysis and Wastewater Treatment Technologies

Abstract

The research assesses the effectiveness of a wastewater treatment facility serving pharmaceutical industrial hubs in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, with a daily treatment capacity of 150 cubic meters. This facility utilizes a multi-stage process, combining physical, chemical, and biological methods to treat complex wastewater from manufacturing, laboratory, and support operations. Over 18 sampling periods, wastewater samples were taken from the facility's inlet and outlet and examined for various key parameters, including acidity levels, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, total dissolved and suspended solids, chloride, sulfate, and oil and grease content. The findings show significant reductions in pollutant levels, with chemical oxygen demand dropping from 840-8560 milligrams per liter to 140-240 milligrams per liter, and biological oxygen demand decreasing from 228-2380 milligrams per liter to 30-92 milligrams per liter. All other measured parameters were reduced to levels that meet the standards set by the Maharashtra State Pollution Control Board, demonstrating the efficacy of comprehensive treatment systems in managing pharmaceutical wastewater and the potential for reusing treated water in applications such as landscaping. Wastewater and pollutants are managed using wastewater treatment technologies at effluent treatment plants, regulated by the MPCB.