Environ Monit Assess (2008) 147:297–306
DOI 10.1007/s10661-007-0121-5
Industrial effluent quality, pollution monitoring
and environmental management
Maqbool Ahmad & Ahmad S. Bajahlan &
Waleed S. Hammad
Received: 7 June 2007 / Accepted: 19 December 2007 / Published online: 29 January 2008
# Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2008
Abstract Royal Commission Environmental Control
Department (RC-ECD) at Yanbu industrial city in
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has established a well-
defined monitoring program to control the pollution
from industrial effluents. The quality of effluent from
each facility is monitored round the clock. Different
strategic measures have been taken by the RC-ECD to
implement the zero discharge policy of RC. Industries
are required to pre-treat the effluent to conform
pretreatment standards before discharging to central
biological treatment plant. Industries are not allowed
to discharge any treated or untreated effluent in open
channels. After treatment, reclaimed water must have
to comply with direct discharge standards before
discharge to the sea. Data of industrial wastewater
collected from five major industries and cental
industrial wastewater treatment plant (IWTP) is
summarized in this report. During 5-year period,
3,705 samples were collected and analyzed for
43,436 parameters. There were 1,377 violations from
M. Ahmad (*) : A. S. Bajahlan : W. S. Hammad
Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu,
Directorate General for Royal Commission at Yanbu,
P.O. Box 30031, Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
e-mail: maqbool_60@yahoo.com
A. S. Bajahlan
e-mail: bajahlan@rc-ynb.com
W. S. Hammad
e-mail: hammad@rc-ynb.com
pretreatment standards from all the industries. Overall
violation percentage was 3.17%. Maximum violations
were recorded from one of the petrochemical plants.
The results show no significant pollution due to heavy
metals. Almost all heavy metals were within RC
pretreatment standards. High COD and TOC indicates
that major pollution was due to hydrocarbons. Typical
compounds identified by GC-MS were branched
alkanes, branched alkenes, aliphatic ketones, substi-
tuted thiophenes, substituted phenols, aromatics and
aromatic alcohols. Quality of treated water was also in
compliance with RC direct discharge standards. In
order to achieve the zero discharge goal, further
studies and measures are in progress.
Keywords Wastewater . Royal commission . COD .
TOC . BOD . VOCs . GC-MS . TDS
Introduction
Management of wastewater through proper collection
and treatment has two major objectives. The first is to
protect the environment by reducing the pollution of air
and water resources and hence reducing the health risks.
The second is to mobilize this available water resource
for mitigating water scarcity and saving fresh water.
In most countries, the receiving bodies for wastewa-
ter are rivers, lakes and irrigation systems. Major
environmental issues such as dissolved oxygen deple-
298
tion, eutrophication, foaming, and fish kills are recorded
(Rosenberg 1985). Therefore, uncontrolled wastewater
contributes to water resources degradation, reduces
agricultural production and affects public health. On
the opposite, the controlled use of wastewater, through
treatment and planning, leads to water resources
augmentation, particularly in the countries that suffer
from water scarcity conditions, in addition to environ-
mental protection (Filibeli et al. 1996). The use of
wastewater in irrigation may also improve groundwater
conditions, by recharging aquifers thereby lessening
overdraft and preventing seawater intrusion in coastal
areas (Bhamidimarri and Shilton 1996). In arid
countries, wastewater can contribute to mitigating
desertification and soil degradation, through the crea-
tion of forests and green areas. Improved urban
amenity, through growing green spaces for recreation
(parks, sports facilities) and visual appeal (flowers,
shrubs and trees adjacent to urban roads and high-
ways), constitutes another important technical merit of
wastewater reuse.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made compre-
hensive development in all sectors coupled with high
growth rates in population and living standards. As a
result the country water demand has increased. The
majority of water requirement is supplied by depleting
non-renewable groundwater and desalination. King-
dom of Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest producer of
desalinated water, which covers 70% of the total water
demand (EPA 625/R 2004). Saudi Arabia is committed
Fig. 1 Map showing indus-
tries, treatment plant and
water collection network
Environ Monit Assess (2008) 147:297–306
to a policy of complete water reuse. Treated wastewa-
ter is considered a viable alternative resource for
meeting water needs (Hussain and Ahmed 1997).
Yanbu Al-Sinaiyah is one of the two industrial
cities of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, established by
Royal degree in 1975, and subsequently operated
under the auspices of the Royal Commission (RC).
Royal Commission provides all the basic infrastruc-
ture and utilities to facilitate the industrial growth.
Main objective of the RC has been industrialization
coupled with environmental protection. Since incep-
tion, the RC has been determined that this industrial
city would be models of environmental planning and
management in addition to being productive manu-
facturing center. The RC has implemented the “Royal
Commission Environmental Regulations (RCER)”.
Any facility operating or planning to operate in the
city will be required to comply with these regulations.
Under the umbrella of RC permit program all the
industrial activities are monitored thoroughly from the
design stage to construction and then during operation
for environmental compliance. The permits require
industries to monitor pollutants of concern and to
comply with pretreatment standards.
The industrial wastewater collection system consist
of 54 km pipelines of various sizes and receive water
through gravity and pressure using lift stations as are
shown in Fig. 1. The industrial wastewater is then
treated at a three stage biological treatment plant. The
plant has the capacity to treat 24,000 m3/day and is
Environ Monit Assess (2008) 147:297–306
designed to remove organic pollutants from pretreated
industrial wastewater to the extent that it can be
reused by industry or discharged to the Red Sea
without causing adverse environmental impact to the
coastal marine water and the coral barrier reef
ecosystem. After treatment, industrial reclaimed water
(IRW) is partially used by the industry and surplus is
discharged to the sea. The reclaimed water distribu-
tion system is looped around industrial area through
distribution system consists of 38 kilometers of pipes.
Major industries, wastewater collection system, in-
dustrial wastewater treatment plant (IWTP), sewage
treatment plant (SWTP), intake channel and outfall
channel are shown in Fig. 1.
Like other major cities of the Kingdom (Al-Morgin
2001), treated sewage water is used for irrigation
purposes. If the quality of reclaimed water is further
improved it may also be used for irrigation purposes.
It has been reported that proper treated refinery and
petrochemical wastewater has no adverse effect on
soil properties and show better growth performance
(Aziz et al. 1995, 1996). For irrigations uses, trials are
in progress to study the impact of reclaimed water on
plant growth.
The water quality-monitoring and management
program comprises sample collection, analysis and
violation notification. In case of violations from
pretreatment standards immediate action is taken and
concerned industry is informed to resolve the problem.
In case of emergency, wastewater is rerouted to
holding ponds to avoid any damage to treatment plant
or the environment. In the present study, data from five
major industries contributing 90% of the total water to
IWTP have been presented. Total number of samples
collected, parameters analyzed, trends of different
pollutants, violations from various facilities and quality
of treated effluent has been discussed in detail.
Material and methods
Five major industries selected for these studies are:
Two petrochemicals, three refineries and industrial
wastewater treatment plant (IWTP).
Parameters
Following parameters were monitored regularly and
samples were analyzed in RC central quality control
299
laboratory using standard methods (Clesceri et al.
1998): Chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, bio-
chemical oxygen demand (BOD), total organic carbon
(TOC), oil and grease, total suspended solids (TSS),
total dissolved solids (TDS), sulphide, phenols,
nitrate, phosphate, ammonia, chloride and sulphate.
Metals: Aluminum, boron, arsenic, cobalt, nickel,
manganese, iron, zinc, lead, mercury, cadmium,
vanadium, silver, strontium, barium, potassium, cal-
cium and magnesium (Boylan et al. 1998; Martin and
Brockhoff 1994).
Sampling
Composite samples
Except pH, sulphide and hydrocarbons, all other
parameters were measured using composite samples.
Refrigerated auto samplers are installed at the
wastewater stream discharged from each industry to
collect 24 hours composite samples.
Chemicals and reagent
For all these studies Analar grade chemicals were used.
For trace metals Aristar grade nitric acid was used. For
VOCs pesticide residue grade solvents were used.
Equipment used
Semi-volatiles were extracted in dichloromethane
using Standard Method 6410 A (Clesceri et al.
1998). Extracted samples were concentrated by
Kuderna-Danish apparatus and qualitatively analyzed
by GC/MS. Volatiles were extracted by Teckmar
Dohrmann purge and trap and were quantified by
GC/MS (Munch 1995). Details of purge and trap and
GC/MS conditions are given below:
After optimizing GC/MS and purge and trap con-
ditions and preparing calibration curves, 5 ml water
sample was carefully sucked into the syringe and injected
into sparger. High purity nitrogen (99.999%) was purged
at 40 ml/min for 11 min. Purged volatiles were
preconcentrated on VOCARBr 3000 trap. Trap temper-
ature was increased to 250°C and adsorbed volatiles were
desorbed and transferred to GC injector through a
preheated transfer line with high purity (99.9999%)
helium gas. Analysis was performed by GC/MS and
concentration was calculated by calibration graph.
300
Optimized operating conditions for purge and
trap were: transfer line temperature 150°C; desorp-
tion temperature 250°C; purge time 11 min; de-
sorption time 2.0 min; purge temperature ambient;
desorption flow 300 ml/min; purge flow 40 ml/min;
bake temperature 300°C. Detailed condition for GC
temperature programming, column, and MS param-
eters were: injector temperature 200°C; carrier gas
(helium) 99.9999%; carrier gas flow: 1.0 ml/min;
transfer line temperature 250°C; emission current
20 μA; ionization mode: EI; column: FactorFour
Capillary column VF-5MS 30 m×0.25 mm ID, df=
0.25 Varian; column temperature 35°C (3 min) to
150°C (1.0 min) at 12.5°C/min then to 280°C
(2 min) at 30°C/min.
For trace metals, wastewater sample were digested
in nitric acid using Milestone microwave digestion
system. Digested samples were analyzed by VISTA
MPX ICP equipped with CCD detector in axial mode.
The instrument uses a 40 MH R.F. generator as the
power supply for the plasma. The excitation source is
a three-turn inductively coupled plasma torch with
Cetac ultrasonic nebulizer for sample introduction.
Samples are pumped to the nebulizer with a double
channel peristaltic pump. The instrument is equipped
to read 64 elements with a computer controlled
software.
Results and discussion
In this study five major industries including two
petrochemicals and three refineries were selected.
Quantity of effluent discharged from each industry is
given in Table 1. The quantity of wastewater
generated and their characteristics depend on the
process configuration. As a general rule, approxi-
mately 3.5 m3 of wastewater are generated per ton of
crude oil processed when cooling water are recycled
Table 1 Quantity of wastewater generated by each industry
Number Facility Wastewater discharge (m3/day)
1 Petrochemical-1 3,000
2 Petrochemical-2 3,500
3 Refinery-1 5,000
4 Refinery-2 2,600
5 Refinery-3 1,200
Total 15,300
Environ Monit Assess (2008) 147:297–306
(World Bank 1996). Refineries generate polluted
wastewaters, containing lot of hydrocarbons. Oily
wastewater from different sources is treated at the CPI
oily wastewater separator system. Types of pretreat-
ment include neutralization, suspended solids separa-
tion, metals removal and oil/water separation. All the
industries have installed pretreatment systems and
control mechanisms to reduce pollutants in their
effluent to meet the pretreatment standards.
Five-year data has been analyzed in this report.
Table 2 indicates the total number of samples
collected, parameter analyzed and yearly violation
from each industry. During 5-year period 3,705
samples were collected and analyzed for 43,436
parameters. There were 1,377 violations from Royal
Commission pretreatment standards and violation
percentage based on parameter analyzed was 3.17%.
Figure 2 shows yearly violations from each industry.
About 20 trace metals were also analyzed from all the
industries. Results show that in trace metals, there
were no violations from RC pretreatment standards.
Study of Volatiles and semi volatiles are also included
in this report. It is clearly indicated in Fig. 2 that there
is a decreasing trend of violations in all the five
industries. All this was achieved due to continuous
efforts of environmental control department, continu-
ous dialogue with industries to resolve the outstand-
ing issues. Detailed results from each industry are
elaborated one by one.
Petrochemical-1
From this petrochemical complex, 3,000 m3/day
wastewater is generated and passed through closed
CPI separator to remove oily stream and other
suspended matter. Outlet of the CPI separator is
discharged to central treatment plant. From this
industry 798 samples were collected and analyzed
for 9,219 parameters. There were 612 violations from
RC pretreatment standards and violation percentage
was 6.64%. Major violating parameters were pH,
TDS and COD (231, 184 and 102). A comparison of
major violations is given in Table 3. There were 51
TOC and 40 oil and grease violations. Maximum
violations have been recorded in 2002 (180) and
maximum yearly average COD was also in the same
year (1,368.49 mg/l). In 2002 second unit was started
and in the start-up period heavily polluted water was
discharged to IWTP and treatment plant was badly
Environ Monit Assess (2008) 147:297–306 301

Table 2 Five-year data from selected industries

Facility Samples Parameters Yearly violations Violations

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Total %age

Petrochemical-1 798 9,219 141 180 92 136 63 612 6.64

Petrochemical-2 665 6,843 61 72 53 71 41 298 4.35
Refinery-1 755 9,848 61 76 55 57 60 309 3.14
Refinery-2 753 9,043 3 2 12 8 13 38 0.42
Refinery-3 734 8,483 14 40 26 19 21 120 1.41
Total 3705 43,436 280 370 238 291 198 1377 3.17

affected. Figure 3 shows the decreasing trend of COD higher than all other industries. Similarly BOD, O&G
in 5 years study period. It also shows the comparison and TOC have similar trends.
of COD with other industries. It is evident from Fig. 3 Samples were also analyzed for Volatile and semi-
that average COD of petrochemical-1 was always volatile organic compounds by GC/MS. Sixty-one

Petrochemical-1 Petrochemical-2
80 50

60 40
Violations

Violations

30
40
20
20
10
0
0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
O&G COD TOC
COD TOC pH TDS
BOD pH TDS

Refinery-1 Refinery-2
50 6
40 5
Violations

Violations

30 4
20 3
10 2
0 1
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 0
O&G COD TOC 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
pH TDS Phenols O&G COD TOC pH TDS

Refinery-3 YEARLY VIOLATIONS

25 200

20 150
Violations
Violations

15
100
10
50
5
0
0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Ref-1 Ref-2 Ref-3 Pet-1 Pet-2
O&G COD TOC pH TDS
Fig. 2 Comparison of yearly violations in major industries
302 Environ Monit Assess (2008) 147:297–306

Table 3 Violating parameters in major industries

Period O&G COD TOC BOD pH TSS TDS Phenol Total

Petrochemical-1 40 102 51 1 231 3 184 0 612

Petrochemical-2 0 54 72 0 6 1 165 0 298
Refinery-1 22 11 10 0 184 0 34 48 309
Refinery-2 12 4 1 0 18 0 3 0 38
Refinery-3 70 17 10 0 22 0 1 0 120
Total 144 188 144 1 461 4 387 48 1,377

compounds were identified in wastewater stream from Petrochemical-2

petrochemical-1. Almost 90% of the identified com-
pounds were aromatics and poly aromatic hydro-
carbons. Benzene, styrene, toluene, indene and
naphthalene were the major constituent. Maximum
concentration was of naphthalene and indene. It is
also reported in literature that generally more than
60% of the PAHs exist as naphthalene in refineries
and petrochemicals (Elshorbagy et al. 2002). Average
concentration of heavy metals is also plotted in Fig. 3.
It shows that except iron all other metals were in
traces. Even iron was much less (0.68 mg/l) than RC
pretreatment standard (RCER 2004).
About 3,500 m3/day wastewater is generated from this
petrochemical complex. Prior discharge to central
treatment plant effluent is treated in inbuilt biological
treatment plant. From this facility 665 composite
samples were collected and analyzed for 6,843 param-
eters. There were 298 violations from RC pretreatment
standards. Violations percentage was 4.35%, compara-
tively much less than petrochemical-1. Major violations
were TDS, COD and TOC (165, 54 and 72). Violation
trend is shown in Fig. 2. Maximum average value of
COD was recorded in 2001 (1,044.30 mg/l). Figure 3

Comparison of BOD Comparison of COD

500 1600
1400
400
1200
300 1000
mg/L

mg/L

800
200 600
400
100
200
0 0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Pe t-1 Pe t-2 Re f-1 Re f-2 Re f-3 Pe t-1 Pe t-2 Re f-1 Re f-2 Re f-3

Comparison of O&G Heavy Metals

80 1.2
70
1
60
0.8
50
mg/L
mg/L

40 0.6
30 0.4
20
0.2
10
0 0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Cd Co Cr Cu Fe Mn Ni Pb Zn Al Ba Mo Sr

Pe t-1 Pe t-2 Re f-1 Re f-2 Re f-3 Pe t-1 Pe t-2 Re f-1 Re f-2 Re f-3

Fig. 3 Year average values of different parameters in various facilities

Environ Monit Assess (2008) 147:297–306
shows decreasing trend of COD. Figure 3 also indicates
that petrochemical-2 is the second major industry with
high COD. Accordingly TOC and BOD were also
higher than other industries.
Effluent from this industry was also analyzed by
GC/MS. Acetic acid and its derivatives were the
major constituents. 1, 4-dioxane was the major
volatile in wastewater stream. Traces of benzene and
xylene were also detected. Presence of acetic acid and
its derivatives shows the spillage of acetic acid, which
is used as a catalyst.
Trace metal analysis shows that except cobalt and
manganese all other metals were in traces. Figure 3
show that average concentration of cobalt and
manganese were higher than all other facilities but
with in RC pretreatment standards.
Refinery-1
About 5,000 m3/day wastewater is generated from
this refinery. After pretreatment water is discharged to
central treatment plant. From this refinery 755
composite samples were collected and analyzed for
9,848 parameters and there were 309 violations
(Table 2). Violation percentage was 3.14% of the
total parameters analyzed. Yearly violation trend is
given in Fig. 2. Maximum violations were observed
in pH (184). Graph trend shows that pH violations
were maximum in all the 5-year data. In year 2004
and 2005, pH violations were significantly increased.
Figure 2 shows that maximum phenols violations (27)
were recorded in 2004. There were 11 COD viola-
tions also. Figure 3 shows that average COD, BOD
and O&G trend is almost same in all the 5 years. On
average basis, refinery-1 was the third major contrib-
utor of COD to IWTP. Refinery-1 has maximum
discharge (5,000 m3/day) hence maximum organic
load to the treatment plant was from this facility.
Overall there were not many violations (3.14%) and
the quality of effluent was mostly complying RC
pretreatment standards.
By GC/MS, 57 organic compounds were identi-
fied. Majority of the identified compounds were
aromatics. These compounds can be classified as
PAH, benzene and substituted benzene, thiophens,
phenols and branched chain aliphatic hydrocarbons.
Maximum concentration was of toluene and benzene.
Overall, concentration of organic compounds was
much less than petrochemical-1. Results of heavy
303
metals are shown in Fig. 3. Except iron all other
metals were in traces. Almost all the metals were with
in RC pretreatment standards.
Refinery-2
After pretreatment, about 2,600 m3/day wastewater is
discharged to the treatment plant. From this facility
753 samples were collected and analyzed for 9,043
parameters. There were 38 violations and violation
percentage was only 0.42%. There were only 4 COD
violations in the 5-year data (Table 3). Maximum
violations recorded were of pH (18) and second major
violator was O&G (12). This indicates that pretreat-
ment system of this refinery is well maintained and
being operated vigilantly. As compared to other four
industries, minimum violations have been recorded in
refinery-2. GC/MS results show only few organic
compounds in effluent and the concentration was
much less than other industries. Phenols and PAHs
were not present in the effluent. The trend of trace
metals is almost same as in refinery-1. Concentrations
of trace metals were much less than RC pretreatment
standards.
Refinery-3
This refinery discharge 1,200 m3/day wastewater
treated at the API oil–water separator within the
facility. From this refinery 734 composite samples
were collected and analyzed for 8,483 parameters.
There were 120 violations from RC pretreatment
standards. Oil and grease was the major violating
parameters, 59% of the total violations were of oil and
grease. There were 22 pH and 17 COD violations
also. Based on total analyzed parameters violations
percentage was only 1.41%. Figure 2 shows the
yearly trends of violations. Trend shows that in 2002,
violations were more than the rest of the period.
Average COD was 523.76 mg/l. Based on average
COD and number of violations refinery-3 can be
categorized as the second best industry with least
polluted water discharged to the treatment plant.
GC/MS results show that refinery-3 effluent did
not contain any aromatic compound. Only 14 com-
pounds were identified and all were long chain
branched aliphatic-hydrocarbons. ICP analysis of
heavy metals shows that except iron all other metals
were less than 1 mg/l. Average iron concentration was
304 Environ Monit Assess (2008) 147:297–306

0.7 mg/l. Figure 3 shows the trend of heavy metals
which is almost same as in other industries. All the
heavy metals are below RC pretreatment standards.
Industrial wastewater treatment plant (IWTP)
A three-stage biological treatment plant is commis-
sioned for industrial wastewater treatment. The plant
has treating capacity of 24,000 m3/day. Presently
17,170 m3/day wastewater is collected from different
industries and treated at IWTP. It employs conven-
tional biological treatment methods, using both
biological contactors and activated sludge. The plant
is operated with two independent modules each
capable of treating 12,000 m3/day and contains two
oil and water separators. Treated water is stored in to
two 12,000 m3, reinforced concrete storage tanks and
then redistributed to industries and excess is dis-
charged to the Red Sea.
At IWTP quality of influent and effluent is
regularly monitored. During 5-year period 765×2
composite samples from influent and effluent were
collected and analyzed for 10,839×2 parameters.
Comparison of some major parameters is summarized
in Fig. 4. There were 239 violations from RC direct
discharge standards in IWTP effluent. Based on total
analyzed parameters, violation percentage was 2.21%.
Major violating parameters were TSS and phenols
(104 and 74). There were 29 BOD violations also,
which is 12% of the total violations. Total COD
violation in 5 years period were 20 and 12 of which
were recorded in 2002. In April 2002, Petrochemical-
1 discharged highly polluted water to the treatment
plant. This cause disturbance in the biological
treatment process and treatment efficiency was much
reduced as is clearly indicated in Fig. 5.
Typical problems in the marine environment from
elevated nutrient levels include greater primary
production by phytoplankton, and increased macro
algal biomass and growth. The macro algae cause
second and third order effects such as an increasing
frequency of anoxic events, loss of eelgrass habitat,
and changes in the composition of the benthic fauna.
(Valiela et al. 1997). Considering the importance of
nutrient, nitrate, phosphate and ammonia were also
monitored in IWTP effluent and outfall channel.
Values of these nutrients were always within RC
direct discharge standards. Average values for phos-

IWTP Effluent Year Average Values IWTP Effluent Year Average Values
6 120
5 100
4 80
mg/L

mg/L

3 60
2 40
1 20
0 0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Phosphate(R) NO3 NH4 Phenols O&G COD BOD TOC TSS

Comparison of Pollutants at IWTP Comparison of Metals in IWTP

92.2 24.2 3.2 17.8 0.8
100%
0.6
80%
mg/L

0.4
41.7
60% 745.2 267.6 167.7
0.2
40%
0
20%
Cd Co Cr Cu Fe M n Ni Pb Zn Al Ba M o Sr
0%
COD BOD O&G TSS Influent Effluent

Influent Effluent

Fig. 4 Comparison of different parameters at IWTP

Environ Monit Assess (2008) 147:297–306 305

IWTP EFFICIENCY*
110.0

100.0

90.0

80.0
% 70.0

60.0

50.0

40.0
y

ry

ch

il

ay

r
us

be

be

be
pr
ar

l
n

Ju
ua

ar

Ju
A

ug
nu

m
r

ct
eb

te

e
A
Ja

ov
ep
F

N
S
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

* Efficiency Based on COD, BOD, TOC, TSS, Phenol, Sulfide and O&G
Fig. 5 Efficiency of IWTP based on monthly average values

phate, nitrate and ammonia were 1.46, 2.61 and
1.54 mg/l respectively.
Monthly trend of IWTP efficiency is given in Fig. 5.
It is evident from the graph that in 2002 twice a year
treatment plant was disturbed. At both occasion
petrochemical-1 was the main culprit. Apart from these
two incidences treatment plant was smoothly operated
with no major setback. The average efficiency of the
treatment plant ranged from 80 to 88.28%. The quality
of treated effluent was almost in compliance with
direct discharge standards (RCER 2004).
By GC/MS 51 compounds were identified in
IWTP influent. The nature of the identified com-
pounds was almost same as were identified in
refineries and petrochemicals. Quantitative results of
aromatic compounds using purge and trap extraction
method (Munch 1995) and analysis by GC/MS is
given in Table 4. Only major compounds were
quantified in IWTP inlet, outlet, outfall channel (SW
St 19) and mixing zone (SW St 7) in Red Sea. Outfall
channel is the area where non contact cooling water
and treated effluent are discharged to the sea. The
quantity of treated effluent is negligible as compared
to cooling water in outfall channel. Results show that
volatile organic compounds were almost completely
removed (99.57%) by biological treatment process

Table 4 VOCs in IWTP influent, effluent and seawater (mg/l)

Facility IWTP inlet IWTP effluent SW St-19 SW St-7 Control station

Benzene 2.22 0.008 0.0019 0.0011 ND

Toluene 1.17 0.004 0.0017 0.0008 ND
Ethyl Benzene 0.32 0.002 0.001 0.0004 ND
Xylenes 0.792 0.0015 0.0009 0.00034 ND
Styrene 2.2 0.01 ND ND ND
1,2,4-trimethyl benzene 0.094 0.001 ND ND ND
1,3,5-trimethyl benzene 0.415 0.002 ND ND ND
P-isopropyl toluene 0.097 ND ND ND ND
Naphthalene 6.94 0.086 0.00003 0.00003 ND
Indene 12.5 ND ND ND ND
306
from IWTP effluent. Only traces of few aromatic
compounds were present in IWTP effluent and were
further diluted in outfall channel with cooling water
before mixing zone in the sea and no residual effect
was detected in seawater (Table 4).
Conclusion
It can be concluded from these results that wastewater
generated from different industries is strategically
managed. All the industries manage to pre-treat the
effluent before discharging to treatment plant. Com-
paratively Petrochemical-1 effluent has more viola-
tions than other industries. There is a continuously
decreasing trend of violations in almost all the
industries. Treatment plant efficiency was also very
good. Quality of IRW was complying direct discharge
standards and there is continuous improvement in
effluent quality. Treated water discharged to the sea
has not much pollution impact on marine life. All this
was due to efforts made by environmental control
department by continuous dialogue with industries
and treatment plant authority to resolve the outstand-
ing issues and use of best available technology (BAT)
to control pollution.
References
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Saudi Arabia. “Country paper for the joint FAO/WHO
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