Wastewater Treatment Process

There is a need for good waste water treatment processes and water management since the world is currently on the brink of water scarcity. To avoid such scenario, there should be an increase in mass knowledge about wastewater treatment and management. Because of this, former approaches are now being innovated by adopting new technologies. The current treatment the world is using in wastewater management brings up numerous problems such as that it generates a large amount of sludge that must be sent to the offsite for disposal and handling it is a difficult task. Another is that most processes of the treatment are proved to be ineffective. It also requires high energy and tedious maintenance in operation. With innovation, technology can improve the conventional process and produce greater results.

Wastewater treatment process includes at least five steps. The first stage is the preliminary treatment wherein it uses screens to remove the solid inorganic material such as paper and plastics then followed by the removal of particles such as grit and silt which are abrasive to plant equipment. 

Next is the primary treatment. The wastewater passed through a primary sedimentation tank wherein solid particles are removed by gravity settling. The resultant settled primary sludge is raked to the centre of the tank for further process.

Wastewater Treatment Process

Following the primary treatment is the activated sludge process. A biological process which breaks down dissolved and suspended organic solids by using naturally occurring micro-organisms. 

Next is the use of chlorine which is usually dosed to the treated wastewater stream for disinfection. This is the tertiary treatment of the whole process. It helps to reduce pathogens, microorganisms which can cause diseases to humans. 

The last stage is the Sludge treatment. The sludge collected during the treatment process contains a large amount of biodegradable material making it amenable to treatment by different microorganisms. It is usually heated in closed digesters. The liquid remaining at the end process is pumped back in the aeration tanks for further treatment.


BY: RON JOSEF M. CRUZ

Reference:http://www.sawater.com.au/SAWater/Education/OurWastewaterSystems/Wastewater+Treatment+Process.htm