Wastewater is something we all have to deal with and it exists for everyone in every home. Whether it’s the dirty water from washing the dishes or bodily fluids, it all has to go somewhere and that’s where wastewater solutions come in. But why do you even need to know about that, you’re not the one who has to deal with it all? The thing is, there may come a time when you do.
You might need to get a wastewater treatment system installed if you cannot connect to the mainline sewers, or there could be an issue with your current system that needs to be resolved. Regardless of the reason, it is valuable to know more about what wastewater is, the stages of treatment, and even some of the ways we can reduce the amount of wastewater we create.
Table of Contents
What Is Wastewater?
Wastewater is essentially the polluted form of water, and this can be caused by runoff rainwater as well as various human activities that range from using the toilet to showering and washing the dishes. It also goes by the name sewage and can be categorised as such. For example, there is domestic sewage, industrial sewage, and storm sewage (which is also stormwater).
How We Can Reduce Wastewater
If we are able to reduce the amount of wastewater that we create, it’s good for our bills as well as the planet. It’s good to be environmentally conscious, and there are a few things you can do at home to reduce your impact:
- Install low-flow fixtures, including showers and toilets, to help reduce your water consumption. This can save up to 100,000 litres of water per year for the average family.
- Turn off the tap while you are brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving. For shaving, you can even plug the drain so that you can rinse the razor without too much waste.
- Aerate your lawn by ensuring it soaks up as much rainwater as possible so that you don’t have to worry about watering it.
- Invest in a rain barrel that you keep outside, this means you can collect rainwater to look after your plants, lawn, and other garden areas.
- Get any leaks fixed immediately because they can end up costing a lot in wasted water as well as leaving you with that annoying drip, drip sound.
- Take shorter showers. You don’t need more than 5-10 minutes, and it will save a lot of water.
- Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when they are full because they are powerful and wasteful machines.
What Are The Stages Of Wastewater Treatment?
There are several steps to the treatment process, and each of them is essential in making wastewater safe for discharging back into the environment.
1. Screening and Pumping: This is where the wastewater is screened and large chunks, such as wood and rags, are removed and cleaned to be sent to landfill. The rest is pumped to the next step.
2. Grit Removal: Material that is heavy yet fine is removed in this step and sent to landfill.
3. Primary Setting: The settled material is pumped off the bottom and the wastewater exits the tank from the top. Floating debris is skimmed off the top and sent with the settled material to digesters. Chemicals are added to remove phosphorus.
4. Aeration: Through biological degradation, the pollutants are consumed by microorganisms and transformed into cell tissue, water, and nitrogen. This is where the wastewater gets most of its treatment.
5. Secondary Setting: This yields an effluent, which is now over 90% treated.
6. Filtration: The effluent is filtered. The material captured on the surface of the disc filters is periodically back-washed and returned to the head of the plant for treatment.
7. Disinfection: UV is used to kill any remaining bacteria.
8. Oxygen: If needed, the oxygen level is increased to meet legal standards. At this point, it is safe to return to the environment.
To Conclude
Hopefully, this has been able to help you develop a deeper understanding of what wastewater is and the way in which it works. After all, it is important to be at least a little knowledgeable about all the functions in and around your home in case any problems arise.
Here at Filta, we pride ourselves on being some of the best in the industry. Your wastewater solutions are in excellent hands with us and we are always here to answer questions and offer advice when needed. Whether it’s a wastewater treatment system or general concerns, you can get in touch for expert answers.
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