Background: Wastewater is highly sensitive in pharmaceutical industries due to its various microbial and chemical pollutions, and its proper management is of special importance. Identification, evaluation, classification, and determination of risk criteria in order to design and present the process and method of wastewater management in these centers is one of the objectives of this study.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, evaluation was performed through measurement, study of processes, determination of the amount and type of raw materials used and their danger, risk assessment, and face-to-face interview. Then, according to quantitative and qualitative findings and by using guidelines, program and process of chemical and biological wastewater management was presented.
Findings: Of all chemical wastewater, 60% could be drained to the sewer system, 2.4% could be neutralized, 5.1% could be diluted, and 29.4% could not be drained, and of the whole microbial wastewater, 49% needed to be decontaminated and 51% could be drained to the sewer system without decontamination.
Conclusion: The major part of wastewater in pharmaceutical-industrial centers is safe and by designing a wastewater management process and compiling executive instructions, it can be drained to the sewer system or a conventional treatment system can be used for safe and low-risk wastewater. For the hazardous part, it can be sent to competent disposal companies.