Understanding Wastewater Treatment and Sewage Treatment

Wastewater treatment and sewage treatment are related concepts, although they are not the same. The sewage treatment process is one step in the general wastewater treatment process where water that is laced with various substances such as human waste, chemicals, food scraps, grit, and other pollutants is treated.

Understanding What Wastewater Contains

The wastewater usually consists of both black and gray waters. The former is derived mainly from toilets, which have human waste, water, toilet paper, and sometimes cleaning agents. On the other hand, the gray water is obtained from activities such as showering, washing, dishwashing, and clothes washing.

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Industrial installations can provide additional wastewater including chemicals and fine particulates. Biological and chemical waste from food processing industries, breweries, and dairies would have to be considered while setting up a treatment plant.

The Main Stages of Treatment

Wastewater first enters a treatment facility through sewer lines or a septage acceptance plant. Screening removes the debris and waste matter, while grit removal protects the pumps and valves from any damage.
In primary treatment, clarification tanks provide a means whereby solids will settle and grease floats and is then separated. In secondary treatment, oxygen is used to aid the breakdown of the remaining organic matter before it goes for another clarification. The tertiary process involves phosphorus separation, disinfection, filtration, and ultraviolet light treatments.
The sludge that is generated during the process of clarification can now be subjected to sewage treatment. Anaerobic digesters can be used to breakdown the sludge as well as generate biogas.

Planning for Treatment Needs

Effective system planning requires consideration of daily wastewater flow, peak usage periods, and the types of wastewater entering the facility. Lakeside Equipment Corporation focuses on helping facilities develop systems designed to handle wastewater and sewer water while considering operational requirements and budget.