Muhamad Nur Ibnu Luthfi Saud, Haifa Cahya Nabila Almunawar, Intan Dwi Wahyu Setyo Rini, Tasya Mirza Ratu Pattisahusiwa, Rizka Lestari

Environmental Impact Reduction Strategy for Drinking Water Treatment Plants in Balikpapan City Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Method

Introduction

Environmental impact reduction strategy for drinking water treatment plants in balikpapan city using life cycle assessment (lca) method. Assess & reduce environmental impacts of Balikpapan's drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) using LCA. Implement strategies like chemical substitution to cut carcinogens & ecotoxicity.

Abstract

The clean water production process must be carried out effectively without harming the environment. The Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM) Tirta Manuntung Balikpapan City produces clean water through several Drinking Water Treatment Plants (DWTP) such as Kampung Damai and Kilometer (KM) 8. Potential negative impacts can arise from the use of chemicals, processing methods and units, as well as high-power equipment. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method can be used to systematically calculate the environmental impacts of an activity's input, process, and output. This study aimed to calculate the environmental impacts due to the production process at Kampung Damai DWTP and KM 8 DWTP of Balikpapan City using the LCA method, as well as formulate strategies to reduce negative impacts. The principle of this study was to calculate impacts using the ReCiPe 2016 model (midpoint H), based on software (SimaPro), with gate-to-gate data coverage (from the intake unit to the reservoir). The study's results found that every 1 m³ of production at Kampung Damai DWTP resulted in impacts in the form of human carcinogens (0.0179 pt), freshwater ecotoxicity (0.00329 pt), and freshwater eutrophication (0.00266 pt). Meanwhile, at KM 8, DWTP resulted in human carcinogenic impacts of 0.026 pt, freshwater ecotoxicity of 0.04 pt, and marine ecotoxicity of 0.03 pt. Alternative strategy to mitigate potential environmental impacts can be implemented through the substitution of aluminum sulfate (Al2SO4) chemicals with Poly Aluminum Chloride (PAC), which reduces human carcinogenicity by 28%, freshwater ecotoxicity by 12%, and freshwater eutrophication by 4% at Kampung Damai DWTP. Furthermore, substitution of chemicals with PAC and low-power electrical equipment can reduce human carcinogenicity by 8.38%, freshwater ecotoxicity by 14.09%, and marine ecotoxicity by 12.13% at KM 8 DWTP.

Review

This study provides a timely and relevant assessment of the environmental impacts associated with drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in Balikpapan City, a critical endeavor given the imperative for sustainable clean water production. The authors adeptly employ the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method, utilizing the robust ReCiPe 2016 model (midpoint H) and SimaPro software, to systematically quantify the environmental burdens from a gate-to-gate perspective (intake to reservoir) for Kampung Damai and Kilometer (KM) 8 DWTPs. This methodical approach is well-suited to identify key contributors to environmental degradation, primarily stemming from chemical usage, processing methods, and energy-intensive equipment, thereby establishing a solid foundation for impact reduction strategies relevant to the Regional Drinking Water Company (PDAM) Tirta Manuntung Balikpapan City. The findings offer valuable insights into the specific environmental hotspots for each DWTP. Kampung Damai DWTP's production of 1 m³ of clean water was found to contribute significantly to human carcinogens (0.0179 pt), freshwater ecotoxicity (0.00329 pt), and freshwater eutrophication (0.00266 pt). KM 8 DWTP exhibited higher impact magnitudes across similar categories, with 1 m³ production resulting in 0.026 pt of human carcinogens, 0.04 pt of freshwater ecotoxicity, and notably, 0.03 pt of marine ecotoxicity, suggesting potentially different downstream environmental interactions or source water characteristics. This differentiation between plants underscores the importance of site-specific assessments and highlights the distinct environmental pathways each facility may influence. The proposed mitigation strategies demonstrate a clear path towards environmental improvement. The substitution of aluminum sulfate (Al2SO4) with Poly Aluminum Chloride (PAC) at Kampung Damai DWTP is projected to yield substantial reductions: 28% for human carcinogenicity, 12% for freshwater ecotoxicity, and 4% for freshwater eutrophication. For KM 8 DWTP, combining PAC substitution with the adoption of low-power electrical equipment is estimated to reduce human carcinogenicity by 8.38%, freshwater ecotoxicity by 14.09%, and marine ecotoxicity by 12.13%. While these percentage reductions are promising and offer tangible targets, the abstract would benefit from a brief discussion on the practical implementation challenges, cost-benefit analyses, and potential upstream impacts of PAC production or alternative energy sources for low-power equipment, enriching the strategic guidance provided to the water utility.

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