What Does the Sewage Treatment Plant Do with Waste Water

Waste water is produced through various human activities such as bathing, washing clothes and dishes, flushing toilets, and many more. This water comes with a lot of impurities, including chemicals, fecal matter, and dirt, that can lead to environmental pollution and pose health risks to all living things. Therefore, it's essential to treat this waste water to make it safe for discharge into the environment or reuse. Here's what the sewage treatment plant does with waste water.

Primary Treatment

The first stage of the treatment process involves removing physical impurities such as large solids from the waste water. This process, known as primary treatment, occurs in the first settling chamber of the plant. Here, the waste water is allowed to sit and settle for a while, during which heavy solids sink to the bottom, while fats and oils float to the surface. The removed solids are then sent to a landfill, while the oils and fats go to a different facility for proper disposal.

Secondary Treatment

After primary treatment, the next stage involves the use of microbes to consume and break down the organic matter in the water. This process, known as secondary treatment, takes place in an aeration tank. The facility pumps air into the tank, providing oxygen for the microbes to carry out the biological treatment process effectively. During this process, the microbes consume organic matter, and the waste product is carbon dioxide, which is released into the air. The water is then sent to the final settling chamber for further purification.

Tertiary Treatment

The final treatment stage, known as tertiary treatment, aims to remove any pollutants that may have survived the primary and secondary stages. The water undergoes processes such as chlorination, ultrafiltration, and reverse osmosis, which aim to eliminate disease-causing microorganisms and other impurities such as heavy metals and chemicals. The water is then disinfected, and the pH levels are adjusted to make it suitable for reuse or discharge into the environment.

Discharge or Reuse

After the tertiary treatment stage, the water is either discharged into the environment or reused. If it's being discharged into the environment, the treated water undergoes further testing to ensure it meets the required standards set by regulating bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency. This testing includes checks for bacteria, pathogens, and other pollutants that may harm aquatic life and humans. After meeting the required standards, the water is discharged into the environment without causing any significant harm.

If the water is being reused, it will undergo stringent testing to ensure it's safe for the intended use. Reuse options include irrigation, industrial cooling, flushing toilets, and many more. However, the type of reuse will depend on the quality of the treated water and the requirements of the environment or industry where it's reused.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sewage treatment plants use a multi-stage process to treat waste water and make it safe for discharge into the environment or for reuse. The process starts with primary treatment, where physical impurities are removed, followed by secondary treatment, where microbes break down organic matter. Finally, tertiary treatment eliminates any remaining pollutants and disinfects the water before discharge or reuse. Sewage treatment plants play a vital role in protecting the environment and human health by ensuring waste water is safely processed and reused, reducing the impact on natural resources.