Prospective scenarios for the management of wastewater resources in Mostaganem region, Algeria

Treatment performances of five lagoon (natural and aerated) wastewater treatment stations in the Mostaganem Region (Western Algerian) were evaluated to meet the expectations of stakeholders. This assessment was based on collected data to verify the functioning of the lagoons and the regulatory compliance of their discharge in order to evaluate the conditions of operation of the treatment facilities. Available historic data were supplemented by a sampling and analysis campaigns performed by the National Sanitation Office (Mostaganem Unit). The methodology used is based on the coupling of both functional and structural diagnoses of the treatment system and the use of conventional formulae to check the capacity of the different components of the system and justify scientifically and technically the adopted operational choices. The evaluation of Benyahi Station’s performance showed relatively good performances, exceeding 80% for chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand up to the horizon 2045. The kinetic model of Ekcenfelder was used to simulate the reduction of solids and organic matter, and to estimate the specific power of the aeration system. The analysis of the situation of the five lagoons were carried out with satisfaction, where prospective scenarios of control of the process and management of the transfers of sewage between localities were carried out to better characterize the situation of wastewater treatment in the region by 2045. Finally, recommendations, based on rigorous computations and in-depth diagnoses, were proposed to reinforce the obtained management scenarios.