Basics Relating To A Waste Water Purification System

By Martha Lewis


The source of waste water may either be homes or commercial buildings. Within the home setting, this water comes from places such as plumbing fixtures, toilets and laundry. Manufacturing plants and restaurants contribute the bulk of the water from commercial buildings. 10% of the effluent is made up of solid that has to be removed during the treatment process. In this article, we look at the processes that are involved in a waste water purification system.

There are a number of stages that are involved in this process. They include the screening state, the primary stage, the secondary and the tertiary stage. During the screening and primary stages, large objects such as rocks, cloth, wood and plastic are removed from the effluent. Smaller solids are removed through aeration and sedimentation. Solid waste that remains at the bottom of the tank is called sludge.

In the secondary stage of filtration, the main activity is the removal of organic materials. The effluent from the primary stage enters large tanks known as digesters where breakdown of these materials takes place. Within the digesters are both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial organisms which work synergistically. Sedimentation is repeated at this point to further reduce insoluble solid waste. The effluent leaving this stage is known as secondary effluent.

The tertiary stage comprises a number of processes. Biological filters help to get rid of any residual biological waste. Other types of waste that are removed here include ammonia, grease, oil and foam. The final process before the effluent is released is disinfection. Chlorination, UV radiation or ozone may all be used. Odor is also eliminated during this stage.

Odor is produced during the process of digestion. One of the commonest gases that results in the production of odor is hydrogen sulfide. Carbon reactors are usually used to get rid of this odor. Contact media lined with bio-slimes and pellets of chlorine are incorporated into the reactors. Alternatives that may be considered include calcium nitrate and hydrogen peroxide.

Variations may exist in the exact processes that are involved but the end result is more or less the same. One of the alternatives uses enzymes as opposed to micro-organisms in the secondary and the tertiary stages. Whereas bacteria produce these enzymes in the conventional method, the blend of enzyme in this alternative process is predetermined. The main downside is that it may not be possible to determine all the enzymes required hence a higher chance of not breaking down all the organic matter.

Treated effluent can be utilized in a number of ways. Most large scale plants reutilize the water for agricultural purposes. If proper technology is employed, the water can be used domestically. Apart from the water, the sludge should also be adequately treated before being released into the environment. If being done on a small scale, composting is a viable option. If on a larger scale, aerobic and anaerobic digestion are preferred.

There are set rules and guidelines that govern the installment of sewage treatment plants. The guidelines are determined by local authorities and vary from place to place. Ensure that you are conversant with those that apply in your general case. The general advice is that the methods that are employed should be the same as what happens in the natural environment.




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