Industrial wastewater has been assessed according to the main
physico-chemical parameters shown in Fig. 1, which have been
calculated as a function of daily flow per ton of processed raw
material (m3/d$tRM). Results indicate an enhancement of the
effluents’ condition after the implementation of the APL, whichwas
observed in the reduction of most studied parameters.
In the case of wastewater treatment systems, companies made
a total investment (in U.S. dollars) of about 2.7 billion in 3 years,
with which they maintained an average system operations unit cost
of 1.7e2.1 $/tRM, which includes the cost of supplies, personnel and
effluent analysis required by the national authorities. Reagent costs
for the wastewater treatment plants increased by 49%, meaning
a unitary cost of 0.7e1.0 $/tRM, or 16-18 $/m3 of treated wastewater.