BODAC filters operated for 14 years were studied in terms of its performance in removing organic micropollutants (OMPs) from wastewater effluent.

In light of proposed revisions to the European Union Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD), this study investigates the effectiveness of biological activated carbon (BAC) filters in removing organic micro-pollutants (OMPs) from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. BAC filters offer a promising alternative by addressing granular activated carbon (GAC) limited operation time. This study investigates the performance of biological oxygen dosed activated carbon (BODAC) filters performance at full- and pilot-scale. This aged filter has been in operation for 14 years without off-site regeneration or carbon replacement. The impact of pre-treatment methods (cloth filter vs. ultrafiltration), empty bed contact time (EBCT), and temperature on BODAC filter performance using one-year operational data were discussed. The putative microbial community involved in the OMPs removal was described. Additionally, a virgin carbon operated at pilot-scale was also studied to observe the development of biofilms and the changes of microbial community analysis along the one year operation time.