Electrocoagulation-Based Removal of Escherichia coli from Wastewater: Optimization and Performance Evaluation

Abstract

Pathogenic microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), can contaminate water and pose a serious public health risk as indicators of fecal contamination. As these threats grow, effective water treatment solutions are essential. Reusing treated water is a key sustainability strategy, with conventional methods like chlorination, membrane separation, and UV disinfection commonly used. However, these methods have limitations and environmental risks. Electrocoagulation (EC) has gained attention for its efficiency in pathogen removal, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits. This study investigated the removal of E. coli from industrial wastewater using electrocoagulation with aluminum electrodes, focusing on the effects of initial pH and electrode number. The initial bacterial concentration was 1×108 CFU/mL. Results showed that pH significantly affects removal efficiency. The highest removal rates were at pH 5.5, where bacteria were completely removed, and at pH 8.5, where the final concentration was 1.4×103CFU/mL, and achieving 99.9% removal. At neutral pH 7, efficiency dropped to 95%, with a final concentration of 5.1×106 CFU/mL. Experiments were conducted under constant conditions (30V, 4 cm electrode spacing), and an increase in the number of electrodes was found to enhance removal efficiency. These findings highlight electrocoagulation’s superior disinfection capability over biological treatments and its potential to reduce chlorine usage, making it a promising and eco-friendly water treatment alternative.