Preliminary Treatment
The first stage of treatment involves removing large objects and grit from the wastewater:
- Screening to remove large debris like plastic, paper, and rags
- Grit chambers to remove sand, gravel, and other heavy materials
- Flow equalization to manage varying inflow rates
This stage protects downstream equipment and improves the efficiency of subsequent treatment processes.
Primary Treatment
Primary treatment involves physical processes to remove suspended solids:
- Primary sedimentation tanks where solids settle to the bottom
- Removal of floating materials like oil and grease
- Typically removes 50-60% of suspended solids and 30-40% of BOD
The settled solids, known as primary sludge, are collected for further treatment, while the liquid portion moves to secondary treatment.
Secondary Treatment
Secondary treatment uses biological processes to remove dissolved organic matter:
- Activated sludge process with microorganisms to consume organic matter
- Aeration tanks where oxygen is supplied to support biological activity
- Secondary clarifiers to separate treated water from biological solids
This stage typically removes 85-95% of the original BOD and suspended solids from the wastewater.
Tertiary Treatment
Advanced treatment to further improve water quality:
- Filtration through sand or membrane filters
- Nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus)
- Advanced oxidation processes for persistent contaminants
Tertiary treatment is applied at our newer facilities and is being gradually implemented across all treatment plants to meet stricter environmental standards.
Disinfection
Disinfection eliminates harmful pathogens before discharge:
- Chlorination to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms
- UV disinfection at newer facilities as an environmentally friendly alternative
- Dechlorination where necessary to remove residual chlorine
After disinfection, the treated water meets regulatory standards and is safe for discharge into receiving water bodies.
Sludge Treatment
Treatment of solids removed during the wastewater treatment process:
- Thickening to reduce water content
- Digestion (aerobic or anaerobic) to stabilize organic matter
- Dewatering to further reduce volume
- Beneficial reuse as fertilizer or soil conditioner where possible
Our sludge management practices focus on environmental sustainability and resource recovery.