Water treatment is the process of removing or controlling contaminants from water in order to meet drinking and other needs. It can include specialized methods to control or remove radionuclides, chemicals, toxins, or other substances that might be harmful.
Wastewater comes to a water treatment plant when it leaves homes and businesses through sewage pipes. It then undergoes a series of steps to ensure that it is safe and clean for human use.
Wastewater Treatment
A wastewater treatment plant treats waste water from residential, industrial and commercial sources before it is released into a river, lake, reservoir or ocean. The water may contain a wide range of contaminants including heavy metals, germs, chemicals and toxins that can be harmful to human health, aquatic life or wildlife.
The first step is called “primary treatment,” which removes a significant amount of pollutants from wastewater. This includes physical processes such as screening, comminution (reduction of materials to small particles), grit removal and sedimentation.
The second step, which is also called secondary treatment, uses biological processes to break down organic matter and some chemicals in the waste. This helps to break down ammonia and some other toxic substances.
Industrial Water Treatment
Industrial water treatment is the process of removing contaminants from industrial waste and transforming it into a resource. This type of treatment requires a wide range of technologies, services and process expertise.
Industrial wastewater is a byproduct of industrial production such as oil and gas, mining, chemical manufacturing, food processing, and more. It contains a variety of pollutants, including metals, toxins and organic matter.
It’s important to treat the wastewater before it can be used again, re-applied to land or discharged into the environment. Depending on the pollutants found in the water, different treatment methods are required to meet regulations and protect the environment.
Industrial water treatment involves a wide range of processes and equipment to manage four primary problems: scaling, corrosion, microbiological activity, and disposal of residual wastewater. Each of these factors is a critical element in achieving the desired results for a specific application, and can influence the total cost of implementing an industrial water treatment system.
Drinking Water Treatment
A water treatment plant removes contaminants, such as germs, sediment (sand, silt, and clay), chemicals, and toxins, from the source water that enters the plant. This may be surface water or ground water, depending on local conditions and the contaminant level in the raw water.
Several types of disinfection methods can be used to treat drinking water. For example, chlorine, ozone, and ultraviolet light can all be used to kill bacteria, viruses, and other germs.
However, it is important to remember that these disinfectants can also release unwanted by-products that can affect human health. Choosing a method to disinfect that is also designed to eliminate these by-products can help to control overall water quality.
In addition, physico-chemical processes such as coagulation-flocculation, activated carbon, and membrane filtration can be used to lower micropollutant loads in the finished drinking water. Generally, these processes remove MPs more effectively than the more traditional oxidative and biochemical treatment schemes, such as ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and microfiltration.
Wastewater Recycling
Water treatment plants recycle wastewater, a practice known as water reclamation. It is an important way to save resources and to reduce pollution.
A water recycling plant uses microorganisms to remove waste from wastewater before it flows into a pump station for distribution to users. They do this by oxygenating the water and consuming smaller particles.
They can also make biosolids, a by-product of the sewage process. This can be recycled as a soil amendment for agricultural crops, in land fills or as a compost.
When the sludge is disposed of, it can help improve air quality by eliminating odors and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It can also be used as a source of renewable energy to produce heat and electricity.
Some reuse projects use advanced filtration technologies, like reverse osmosis, to remove impurities from the water. These projects can be less costly than producing desalinated water or transporting drinking water over long distances.
Comments