Performance evaluation of Iran University of medical sciences' hospital wastewater treatment plants

Background and aims: Despite increasing concerns about hospital waste management, scant attention has been paid to hospitals and medical research laboratories. These effluents contain pathogenic microorganisms, incomplete metabolized Pharmaceutical, radioactive elements and other toxic chemicals. The purpose of present work is evaluation of hospitals wastewater treatment plants performance of Iran University of medical science, analysis and comparison of the pollutants' removal and sludge quality with the national standards (Iran EPA). Methods: in this study that was conducted over a period of 6 months, 4 hospitals were selected out of hospitals of Iran University of medical science. Once in each month were sampled and Totally 72 Samples were obtained (including 6 samples from treatment plant input, treatment plant effluent and 6 samples from return activated sludge), respectively. Results: The results showed that Shahid Hasheminejad hospital using integrated fixed activated sludge had the highest efficiency in removal of COD, BOD5 and TSS and Sludge quality meet the B class of EPA standard. Conclusion: Shahid Hasheminejad hospital wastewater treatment plant had the best performance, because of its treatment system and capability of treating variable organic and hydraulic loading and simple operation and maintenance.