The continuing development of the industrial sector has led to municipal wastewater treatment works (normally designed for biological treatment of domestic wastewater) being confronted by toxic and hazardous pollutants which cannot always be treated by, and in many cases inhibit, conventional biological treatment processes. On the other hand, high organic loads generated by some industries may, depending on the circumstances, have an adverse or a beneficial effect. To avoid the damaging effects of these pollutants, pre-treatment of industrial wastewaters is a crucial step. The success of industrial pretreatment programmes, which aim to tackle industrial discharges to municipal sewerage systems, is based on the collaboration of scientists, engineers, managers and regulators. The papers selected for this volume cover strategic aspects of pretreatment programmes; impacts on municipal treatment works; case studies of pretreatment schemes; characterization of industrial wastewaters; and treatments for strong and toxic industrial wastewaters.
