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Waste Water Treatment
- Waste water comes from various HOUSEHOLD ACTIVITIES, such as bathing, washing dishes, and flushing toilets. This water typically goes into SEWERS.
- AGRICULTURAL RUNOFF and industrial processes also contribute significantly to waste water.
- Waste water must be treated before being returned to the environment.
- Sewage and agricultural waste water require removal of organic matter and harmful MICROBES.
- Industrial waste water may require removal of organic matter and harmful CHEMICALS.
Sewage Treatment Process
There are several stages to the treatment of waste water:
- SCREENING & GRIT REMOVAL: Large objects, such as twigs and plastic, are removed.
- SEDIMENTATION: Waste water is stored in a large tank allowing heavy solids to settle, known as SLUDGE, while lighter substances called EFFLUENT float to the top.
- AEROBIC BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT: Effluent is treated with aerobic BACTERIA that consume organic matter.
- ANAEROBIC DIGESTION: Sludge from the sedimentation tank is broken down by bacteria in a no-Oxygen environment, producing METHANE and FERTILISERS.
- Additional treatment is necessary for water contaminated with hazardous chemicals, which may include UV RADIATION or MEMBRANE FILTRATION.
Sewage treatment requires MORE PROCESSES than treating fresh water but USES LESS ENERGY than the DESALINATION of salt water, so could be used as an alternative in areas where there's not much fresh water.
Waste Water Treatment
- Waste water comes from various HOUSEHOLD ACTIVITIES, such as bathing, washing dishes, and flushing toilets. This water typically goes into SEWERS.
- AGRICULTURAL RUNOFF and industrial processes also contribute significantly to waste water.
- Waste water must be treated before being returned to the environment.
- Sewage and agricultural waste water require removal of organic matter and harmful MICROBES.
- Industrial waste water may require removal of organic matter and harmful CHEMICALS.
Sewage Treatment Process
There are several stages to the treatment of waste water:
- SCREENING & GRIT REMOVAL: Large objects, such as twigs and plastic, are removed.
- SEDIMENTATION: Waste water is stored in a large tank allowing heavy solids to settle, known as SLUDGE, while lighter substances called EFFLUENT float to the top.
- AEROBIC BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT: Effluent is treated with aerobic BACTERIA that consume organic matter.
- ANAEROBIC DIGESTION: Sludge from the sedimentation tank is broken down by bacteria in a no-Oxygen environment, producing METHANE and FERTILISERS.
- Additional treatment is necessary for water contaminated with hazardous chemicals, which may include UV RADIATION or MEMBRANE FILTRATION.
Sewage treatment requires MORE PROCESSES than treating fresh water but USES LESS ENERGY than the DESALINATION of salt water, so could be used as an alternative in areas where there's not much fresh water.
