TABLE OF CONTENTS The aims of wastewater treatment are:
to convert the waste materials present in wastewaters into stable oxidized end products that can be safely disposed of to inland waters without any adverse ecological effects;
to protect public health;
to ensure wastewater is effectively disposed of on a regular and reliable basis without nuisance or offence;
to recycle and recover the valuable components of wastewater;
to provide an economic method of disposal;
to comply with legal standards and consent conditions placed on dischargers.
A wastewater treatment plant is a combination of separate treatment processes or units (Table 14.1), designed to produce an effluent of specified quality from a wastewater (influent) of known composition and flow rate. The treatment plant is also, usually, required to process the separated solids to a suitable condition for disposal. By a suitable combination of these unit processes it is possible to produce a specified final effluent quality from virtually any type of influent wastewater. While treated wastewaters can be used for groundwater recharge or even be recycled, they are generally discharged to surface waters, primarily rivers. The amount of treatment required depends largely on the water quality objectives of the receiving water and also the dilution capacity available.
| Process | Description |
|---|---|
| Physical unit processes | |
| Balancing | Where the flow of wastewater produced is variable over time, balancing tanks are used to ensure a constant flow and consistent quality of... |
