Sewage Treatment

Primary Treatment

1. Waste water is passed through a series of screens. This removes suspended

and floating particles.

2. Water is then channelled to the grit chamber where inorganic solids such
as, sand, small stones and grit are removed.

3. Water then enters a primary sedimentary tank, where particulate matter

settles out to form primary sludge that is sent to the digester.

Secondary treatment

4. The liquid component which contains dissolved and colloidal organic matter
goes to trickling filters. The filters contain aerated rock beds which
facilitates the growth of bacteria which degrade the dissolved and colloidal
matter.

OR

The liquid can go through the activated sludge process, where wastewater
is aerated and circulated through bacteria-rich particles. The bacteria
degrade suspended organic material. After several hours, the particles and
microorganisms are allowed to settle out forming secondary sludge, a slimy
mixture of bacteria-laden solids.

This liquid waste is released into nearby streams and rivers.

5. The sludge in the digesters is acted upon by anaerobic bacteria, which
produces organic acids which can be further converted to methane or
carbon dioxide and water.
The methane can be burnt off or used as fuel.
The solid residue is placed on drying beds. When dried they are used as
fertilizers in agriculture.

Sludge can also be incinerated or disposed of in a sanitary landfill.

Tertiary treatment
6. This is only applicable in advanced wastewater treatment methods. The
water is further purified for reuse by removing dissolved minerals, heavy
metals, viruses and organic compounds.