Prepared and Complied by Dr.

Mohammad Tanveer

Chapter 2
Preliminary Water Treatment Methods

2.1 Introduction:
Preliminary treatments may be required to remove impurities to make the water or WW more
amenable to subsequent treatments. In wastewater treatment applications, filtration can be
applied at various stages. It can be applied as a pretreatment method, in which case the objective
is often to remove coarse, gritty materials from the waste-stream. This is a preconditioning step
for waste waters which will undergo further chemical and physical treatment downstream.
Preliminary treatment provides for the removal of large debris and heavy inorganic material
contained in the wastewater flow. One of the first treatment operations involves screening of the
influent wastewater flow. Mechanical screens consisting of parallel bars or stepped plates placed
at an angle in the path of the wastewater flow are used to remove this debris. Mechanical rakes
clear debris from the bars and these screenings are washed and compressed to remove excess
water and ultimately disposed of by burial in a landfill. Removal of these materials protects the
treatment plant’s piping and downstream equipment from blockage and/or damage. Following
screening operations the wastewater flow passes into aerated channels designed to slow the flow
velocity to 0.3 metres per second. Here heavy inorganic materials separate from the wastewater
and settle. The settled inorganic material is referred to as grit. Periodically, the settled grit is
removed from the channels, washed and ultimately disposed of by burial in a landfill. Grit is very
abrasive and its removal early in the treatment process reduces wear on pumps and other
equipment. This inorganic material would otherwise eventually settle in other process areas and
take up effective treatment volume or capacity.
2.2 Screens
Screening is the first technique employed in primary treatment, which is the first step in the
wastewater treatment process. This step removes all sorts of refuse that has arrived with the
wastewater such as plastic, branches, rags, and metals. The screening process is used primarily to
present the clogging and interference of the following wastewater treatment processes.
Screens utilize the differences in particle size of the solution (or mixture) components to extract
one part(s) from the other(s). They usually are simple in operation and relatively easy to
 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

maintain. If correctly used. Their operating and / or cleaning cost becomes excessive if the
concentration of suspended material exceeds reasonable values.
Screens are considered coarse if their opening are larger than 6mm, fine if their openings are
between 1.5 and 6mm, and very fine if their openings are between 0.2 and 1.5mm.

Fig.1 Removal of debris from wastewater through bar screen

 
Screens are cleaned manually if the object caught is larger and mechanically if finer particles are
caught. The angle of the screen may also be varied to affect the efficiency of filtration.
Purpose of screening
The functions of screening equipment as part of the pretreatment works are:
 To protect downstream mechanical plant from damage or obstruction due to large objects
in the wastewater flow.
 To separate and remove the larger material which might interfere with the efficient
operation of wastewater treatment processes.
 To ensure the absence of unsightly floating matter at outfalls or in receiving waters.
Types of screen
The screen types may be defined as follows:
Screen Type Aperture
Coarse ˃ 50 mm
Medium 15-50 mm
Fine 3-15 mm
Straining ˂ 3 mm

In general screens are classified as:

 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

i) Stationary screen
It consists of a stationary screen placed across the fluid flow path such that the fluid must pass
through it. Particles larger than the screen mesh cannot pass through the screen and are collected
on it.
ii) Rotary screen
Rotary screens are used where screen plugging is a problem. Rotary screens, as the name
indicates, are rotating screens constructed such that the screen operates only partially submerged
in the water that is to be filtered. There are two basic types of rotary screen: axial flow and radial
flow. Fluid passes through an axial flow screen parallel to the axis of rotation of the screen. In a
radial flow screen flow travels radially toward or away from the axis of rotation.
iii) Vibratory Screens
Vibratory screens are also used for removal of particles from water. Two types are commonly
used: radial flow and axial flow. In the basic design of an axial flow vibratory screen, influent
enters one end of the screen and the particulate materials are moved along the screen length by
the vibratory motion of the screen. Water flows through the screen and is discharged at the
outlet. The screen is mounted on springs and is given vibratory motion by an electromagnetic
vibrator, an eccentric drive, or other suitable means. Separation by a vibratory screen is
dependent on hole size, feed rate, vibration frequency and amplitude, and properties of the
particulate material.
Specifically on the basis of openings and flow pattern of water screens are classified as:
a) Manual Bar Screens
Manual bar screens have a bar spacing traditionally of approximately 25 mm. These bar screens
are normally fixed on a guide rail inclined at 45° to 60° to the flow and are fitted with a
perforated screenings trough above the water level into which the screenings are raked at
irregular intervals. These screens are quite ineffective and blind easily. They should be replaced
where possible with mechanically raked screens and retained on a by-pass basis only.
b) Coarse Screens
1. Trash Racks
Coarse screens, such as trash racks, are normally used only in large volume stormwater drainage
schemes and upstream of large pumping stations where the pumps need to be protected from
large objects such as concrete blocks, logs of wood and other solid objects which could damage
 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

the mechanical equipment. Pumps on such duties would normally be unaffected by medium
sized objects. These trash racks are rarely mechanically raked. They are generally aligned at an
angle to the flow to minimize the risk of blinding during flood conditions.
2. Rotating Bar Interceptors (R.B.I.)
Rotating bar interceptors are now used in preference to static trash racks upstream of pumping
stations. These consist of rotating bars which, by virtue of their rotation, prevent the
accumulation of debris (rags, etc.) on the bars. They do, however, retain larger objects such as
concrete blocks, large timber sections, animal carcasses and similar large debris which would be
likely to cause pumps blockage. In the event of jamming of the screen, the motors are reversed,
reversing the direction of rotation and freeing the obstruction.
b) Medium Screens
Medium screens are bar screens having a spacing of 15 - 50 mm and generally in the range 20-25
mm. These screens were initially developed as an upgrade from the manual screen and were
generally fitted with mechanical rake or brush facilities to convey screenings to a receiving
trough. The -operation of the raking mechanism is normally intermittent, controlled by timer or
head loss measurement. Downstream of pumps, it may be activated by pump start-up with timer
controlled duration. Automatic bar screens must be fitted with limit switches to prevent damage
due to overloading or blockage. The controls also generally provide for a switch to ensure that
the rake automatically stops moving at a point outside the screen area to avoid jamming at start-
up.
1. Curved Bar Screens
The curved bar screen is suitable for shallow inlet channels (i.e.. less than 2.5 ml). It is fixed in
the channel sloping away from the flow. A rotating rake (normally double sided) is driven by an
electric motor and follows the curvature of the screen with the tines interlocking with the screen
bars. A tine cleaning device at the top of the screen sweeps the screenings into a collection
trough. Curved bar screens, by virtue of their shape are very suited to low flows.
2. Vertical and Inclined Screens
The vertical and inclined bar screens are variations of each other and are used for deeper inlet
channels. These screens can be either front or back raked and are generally hydraulically or chain
operated. The cleaning action mimics a manual raking action. The cleaning rake is normally
parked in the upper position and is actuated either by a timer or a water level signal. The
 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

cleaning rake will then travel down to the bottom of the screen with the rake in a disengaged or
retracted condition. At the bottom of the travel, the rake is engaged into the screen by hydraulic
or mechanical means. The rake collects the solids from the screen bars and elevates them to the
discharge chute where a hinged wiper pushes the solids into the receiving trough.

c) Fine Screens
Fine screening (3 - 15 mm) is becoming increasingly common for the following reasons:
 Advances in technology have made fine screens more reliable and more economical to
manufacture.
 Protection of bathing waters requires the adoption of fine screens for virtually all
applications, particularly where European blue flag standards apply.
 The quality requirements for sludge re-use require effective fine screening to ensure
removal of plastics and rags.
 Development of improved and more economical screen washing equipment offsets the
extra organic load removed by fine screens by returning it to the flow.
 Improved dewatering and compaction equipment greatly improves the handling and
volume reduction of screenings, offsetting the effects of increased quantity removed.
1. Inclined Bar Screens
These screens are, as the name suggests, standard bar screens set at any inclined angle to the
flow, having bar spacings of 5 mm upwards. Screens are continuously front or back raked by
means of cleaning tines mounted on a chain mechanism.
These tines continually lift the screenings for discharge at the upper end, either by gravity or by
means of a brushed cleaning device.
2. Band Screens
Band screens consist of a series of panels which continually move up through the flow on a belt
drive collecting the screenings on the way. In general, these band screens are made up in either
of two ways:
shaped plastic or stainless steel hooks, formed in rows or bands; and step shaped perforated
plates, similarly arranged. These are assembled to form a continuous belt which filters the
effluent and, in fact, the collected screenings provide further filtration.
 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

There are a number of methods of removing the screenings from the band screen, either by
means of a brush system or a backwash system.
3. Drum Screens
Drum screens have been in existence for many years and basically consist of a large perforated
cylinder mounted horizontally in the flow and through which the wastewater has to pass to reach
the inlet to the treatment works. The flow must pass from outside to inside the drum. The
screenings are maintained on the outside of the drum which rotates into the liquid and they are
collected within a screenings pit from where they are removed by means of a pump or other
elevator.

2.3 Grit Chambers

Grit consists of sand, gravel, stones, soil, cinders, bone chips, coffee grounds, seeds, eggshells,
glass fragments, metals and other materials present in wastewater which do not putrefy. In
general, grit as defined above has a specific gravity between 1.5 and 2.7 as opposed to a specific
gravity for organics of approximately 1.02. In addition, grit settles as discrete particles, rather
than as flocculant solids which is the case with organics.
Grit can originate from many sources, depending on a number of factors, but particularly on the
type of collection system, i.e., separate, partially separate or combined. The following is a listing
of some of the sources and types of grit:
 Domestic waste: glass, coffee grounds, seeds, eggshells;
 Industrial effluent: metals, sands, clays, etc.;
 Storm water drains: sand, pebbles, road making material;
 New construction sites: and, gravel, concrete blocks, stone, etc.; and
 Infiltration: leaching of soil fines into the pipe.
The transport of these items within the sewer system will depend on the condition and gradient
of the sewers.
Grit Removal Devices
Grit is selectively removed from other organics in a velocity controlled grit channel or an aerated
chamber. Both unit operations are commonly used. A newer, more efficient approach to grit
removal is the use of hydrocylones.
 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

1. Gravity Settling
The grit in wastewater has a specific gravity in the range of 1.5–2.7. The organic matter in
wastewater has a specific gravity around 1.02. Therefore, differential sedimentation is a
successful mechanism for separating grit from organic matter. Also, grit exhibits discrete
settling, whereas organic matters settle as flocculant solids. The velocity controlled grit channel
is a long, narrow, sedimentation basin with better flow control through velocity. Some
wastewater treatment plants control the velocity by using multiple channels. A more economical
arrangement and better velocity control is achieved by the use of control sections on the
downstream of the channel. These control sections maintain constant velocity in the channel for
a range of flows by using proportional weirs, Parshall flumes, and parabolic flumes. To design
effective grit removal facilities, environmental engineers must know the volume of the sewage
flow and quantity of grit. The quantity of grit can be variable; therefore, a safety factor must be
allowed. Multiple channels are usually provided when manual grit cleaning is used. The typical
values of detention time, horizontal velocity, and settling velocity for a 65-mesh (0.21-mm
diameter) material are 60 sec 0.3 m/sec, and 1.15 m/min, respectively. The theoretical length is
18 m (60 ft). The depth of flow is governed by the volume of sewage flow. The width is not
critical but is normally small so that the channels are long and narrow.
The head loss through a velocity-controlled channel is 30–40% of the maximum water depth in
the channel. The effect of scouring the settled grit surface at this velocity washes away much of
the putrescible material that settles out with the grit. The grit removed by this design usually
requires burial to prevent odor. Grit chambers can be cleaned manually or mechanically. Manual
cleaning is usually used only in smaller and older plants where manual methods are used to rake,
shovel, or bucket the grit from the chamber. During this operation, flow to the chamber is shut
off or diverted to another channel, and the grit tank is drained for cleaning. Designing the grit
chamber with the necessary depth provides grit storage. Mechanical grit removal equipment
consists of moving bucket scrapers, horizontal and circular moving rake scrapers, or screw
conveyors. Once the grit is removed from the grit collection tank the facility dewaters it using
screw or rake classifiers, screens, or similar devices. Hydraulic ejectors, jets, and air lift pumps
are also used. Mechanically cleaned tanks require a smaller grit storage volume. Aeration is
occasionally used in the grit chamber to wash out organic material from the grit. The following
figure shows a mechanical grit removal design.
 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

Fig. 2 Cross section of Grit chamber

2. Aerated Grit Chamber
Aerated grit chambers are widely used for selective removal of grit. The spiral roll of the aerated
grit chamber liquid drives the grit into a hopper located under the air diffuser assembly. The
shearing force of the air bubbles strips the inert grit of much of the organic material that adheres
to its surface. Aerated grit chamber performance is a function of roll velocity and detention time.
Adjusting the air feed rate controls the roll velocity. Nominal air flow values are 0.15 to 0.45
m3/min of air per meter of tank length (m 3/min/ m). The liquid detention time is usually about 3
min at the maximum flow. Length-to-width ratios range from 2:5 to 5:1 with depths of 2 to 5 m.
The grit that accumulates in the chamber varies depending on the type of sewer system
(combined type or separate type) and the efficiency of the chamber. For combined systems, 90
m3 of grit per million cubic meters of sewage (30 m 3/106 m3) is not uncommon; in separate
systems, the amount is something less than 30 m 3/106 m3. Deposited grit is normally recovered
by air lift or screw conveyor. The grit is buried in a sanitary landfill. Aerated grit chambers are
extensively used at medium and large-size treatment plants. They offer the following advantages
over velocity-controlled grit channels:
 An aerated chamber can also be used for chemical addition, mixing, and flocculation
before primary treatment.
 Wastewater is freshened by air, reducing odors and removing additional BOD5.
 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

 Minimal head loss occurs through the chamber.

 Grease removal can be achieved if skimming is provided.
 By controlling the air supply, the chambers can remove grit of low-putrescible organic
content.
 By controlling the air supply, the chambers can remove grit of any specified size.
However, due to the variable specific gravity and the size and shape of the particles,
some limitations on removal may exist.

Fig.3 Helix liquid flow pattern in aerated grit chamber

3. Detritus Tank
Detritus tanks remove a mixture of grit and organic matter. The width and shape of the grit
chamber are not critical with this design, but the surface area (which relates to settling velocity)
is. The area requirements are proportional to the settling velocity of the grit particle and to the
wastewater flow rate. The settled grit is conveyed to a common collection sump. A raking or
conveying mechanism washes and removes the grit from the chamber in a clean and drained
condition, and the turbulence created by the raking mechanism washes the organic or putrescible
material out of the grit. This rejected material is discharged back into the collection tank. For
detritus tanks, grit removal capacity is proportional to surface area. Multiplying the unit area by
the maximum wastewater flow expected gives the total area of the tank. The normal design of
detritus tanks is based on the removal of at least 65-mesh-size particles with a unit area
requirement of 38.6 ft2 per mgd. At this design rate, 95% of all grit coarser than 65-mesh is
 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

removed. Minimum velocities are not critical. Settled organic matter is washed from the grit in
the classifier and returned to the process.

4. Hydrocyclones
Hydrocyclones are used for sewage sludge degritting in applications requiring high efficiency
and a high degree of grit removal. These requirements are particularly prevalent where high-
speed centrifuges or close-tolerance equipment such as positive displacement pumps are used.
The hydrocyclone is similar to a conventional dust cyclone in that the feed is introduced
tangentially to a cylindrical feed section and the liquid slurry develops a rotational movement
and passes into a conical section. The centrifugal force created by cyclonic liquid movement
forces heavier solid particles to the outer wall. Solids move along this wall and out the apex of
the cone. A vented overflow opening in the top of the cylindrical section insures that atmospheric
pressure exists at the axis of the cyclone. The liquid and lighter solid materials pass up the center
of the vortex and out the overflow. Shearing forces are high due to the change in tangential
velocity across the diameter of the cyclone, and scouring of the lighter organic material from the
grit occurs. The minimum head requirement for feeding the cyclone is approximately 14 ft (6
psig) for developing sufficient pressure to create centrifugal forces. The normal design of the
units is based on 95% removal of 150-mesh and coarser grit at maximum flow. Hydrocyclones
can degrit raw sewage, the primary clarifier underflow prior to thickening, the underflow of
pretreatment units such as grit chambers or detritus tanks,and other flows where degritting is
required. The grit underflow from the unit can be drained and dewatered in a grit bin or in a
screw or rake classifier. Hydrocyclone advantages include smaller space requirements, lower
cost, finer mesh separation, minimum number of moving parts, and low maintenance. Major
disadvantages of this unit are the requirements for a high inlet pressure and a constant feed flow
rate. The size and number of hydrocyclone units is based on the maximum wastewater flow to be
handled. The available wastewater pressure determines the flow through each unit and the size of
the grit particles that can be removed. If supply pressures are increased, higher flow capacities
and improved removal efficiency of smaller grit particles result. The typical size and capacity
data for a hydrocyclone will be obtained from manufacturer. Environmental engineers must
know the quantity of grit removed in sizing the grit collection system for the underflow of the
hydrocyclone. The hydrocyclone requires a constant feed flow rate for efficient operation. The
overflow of the hydrocyclone must be vented for proper unit operation. For variable flow
 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

conditions, multiple units (operatingas many units as the incoming flow requires) or an on–off
timer control should be used.

2.4 Pre-Aeration Tanks

Pre-aeration of wastewater, that is aeration before primary treatment is sometimes provided for
the following purposes: 
1. To obtain a greater removal of suspended solids in sedimentation tanks.
2. To assist in the removal of grease and oil carried in the wastewater.
3. To freshen up septic wastewater prior to further treatment.
4. BOD reduction.
Pre-aeration is accomplished by introducing air into the wastewater for a period of 20 to 30
minutes at the design flow.  This may be accomplished by forcing compressed air into the
wastewater at a rate of about 0.10 cu.ft. per gallon of wastewater when 30 minutes of aeration is
provided or by mechanical agitation whereby the wastewater is stirred or agitated so that new
surfaces are continually brought into contact with the atmosphere for absorption of air.  To insure
proper agitation when compressed air is forced into the wastewater, air is usually supplied at the
rate of 1.0 to 4.0 cubic feet per minute per linear foot of tank or channel.  When air for
mechanical agitation (either with or without the use of chemicals) is used for the additional
purpose of obtaining increased reduction in BOD, the detention period should be at least 45
minutes at design flow.  The agitation of wastewater in the presence of air tends to collect or
flocculate lighter suspended solids into heavier masses which settle more readily in the
sedimentation tanks.  Pre-aeration also helps to separate grease and oil from the wastewater and
wastewater solids and to carry them to the surface.  By the addition of air, aerobic conditions are
also restored in septic wastewater to improve subsequent treatment. The devices and equipment
for introducing the air into the wastewater are the same or similar to those used in the activated
sludge process. Therefoe, a pre- aeration tank is nothing but simply a tank of either rectangular,
oval or semicircular shape. We provide aeration to wastewater in this tank for further primary
treatment.   
2.5 Pre-Chlorination
Pre-chlorination is the chlorination of a wastewater prior to primary treatment.  In general, the
objectives of pre-chlorination are not related to disinfection, and its use is related to either
 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

temporarily preventing further wastewater decomposition or reducing problems associated with

wastewater decomposition.  The objectives of pre-chlorination are: 
1. Odor control
2. Protection of plant structures
3. Aid in sedimentation, and
4. Reduction or delay of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Odor Control
The decomposition of wastewater starts in sewers and becomes objectionable only after
anaerobic decomposition has taken over.  The degree of putrefaction that occurs is related to the
time the wastewater is in the sewers which, in turn, depends on the length and grades of the
sewers.  Odor problems, therefore, develop where the sewers are long or where it is necessary to
collect sewage in pump sumps and subsequently pump the wastewater to a treatment plant. 
There are few places in this state where the sewers are so long that putrefaction occurs to such a
degree that offensive odors rise from the sewers before the wastewater reaches the wastewater
treatment plant.  If such a condition occurs, it may be possible to chlorinate the wastewater at a
manhole on a trunk sewer.  The amount of chlorine required varies depending on how long the
decomposition of the wastewater must be delayed.  It is not necessary to add sufficient chlorine
to satisfy the chlorine demand, but merely sufficient to destroy odors and slow bacterial
decomposition.  Thus, no residual chlorine is produced.  Doses of four to six mg/L are generally
sufficient to control odors.  Chlorine may be applied up sewer from the plant in force mains,
pump suction wells, screen chambers, grit chambers, trickling filter influent, settling tanks or
wherever there is an odor problem.  Normally, the practice is to start with a fairly high dose of
chlorine (10 mg/L) to quickly control the odors, and gradually reduce the dose over a period of
time to determine the minimum that will satisfy the local condition.
The production of offensive odors at pumping stations is a fairly common occurrence. 
Chlorination of the wastewater as it enters the pump sump or in the pump sump is effective as a
preventative measure.  The amount of chlorine required varies with the different situations but is
less than that required to produce a residual.  Generally, it is about the same as the chlorine
demand or 25 to 50 lbs. per million gallons, but the minimum effective dose must be found by
trial and error for each installation. 
 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

Another common occurrence is for wastewater to be septic, or a source of odor, as it is received

at the wastewater plant.  To prevent disagreeable odors during treatment, chlorination of the
influent of the primary sedimentation tank is practiced which also aids in the settling properties
of the sludge solids.  If the purpose is only odor control and not disinfection, the chlorination
need not be sufficient to produce a residual.  Generally, a dose that will destroy all the reducing
substances and thus slow the rate of decomposition is used.  How great this dose must be
depends to a large extent on how far putrefaction proceeded before the wastewater reached the
plant.  When putrefaction is far advanced, the chlorine dose may be equal to or greater than the
dose which would produce a residual if the wastewater were fresh. 
A similar situation may develop when the wastewater is received fresh but becomes septic during
the treatment process.  This often occurs in a new plant where the initial wastewater flow is far
less than the design flow and the detention period in the primary tanks is greatly prolonged. 
Again pre-chlorination of the tank influent is used to delay putrefaction and resulting odors.  In
this case, the chlorine dose will be much less than that required if the wastewater were septic. 
The amount of reducing substances in the wastewater will be low and a dose of two to five mg/L
of chlorine may be sufficient to prevent odors.  
 Protection of Plant Structures
Decomposition of wastewater can proceed to the point of hydrogen sulfide production, but,
owing to location or low concentration, odors are not a problem.  If this occurs in a pumping
station, intercepting sewers or treatment plant, there may be serious corrosion.  The remedy is
similar to that for odor control -- chlorination sufficient to prevent hydrogen sulfide formation or
to destroy hydrogen sulfide if it has been produced.  The points of application are similar to those
used for odor control but the quantity of chlorine may be less because only hydrogen sulfide has
to be controlled.  Minimum chlorine dose cannot be found without laboratory tests.  In general
though, this is a specific problem and the dose of chlorine can be found by trial and error.  It may
not be necessary to destroy all the hydrogen sulfide but only to reduce the concentration to one
or two mg/L so that the amount evolved will be a minimum.  Hydrogen sulfide causes structures
to be damaged and weakened due to corrosion and can result in shutdown of the plant for repair. 
Generally, it is an economic problem, but factors other than cost must be considered.  One such
factor is the toxic nature of hydrogen sulfide.
 
 Prepared and Complied by Dr. Mohammad Tanveer

Aid in Sedimentation 
Pre-chlorination at the influent of a settling tank is sometimes practical for the benefit of
improved settling.  Generally, such benefits are incidental to the use of pre-chlorination for some
other purpose.  However, when there is a choice of the point of chlorine application, it is well to
bear in mind that improved sedimentation, heavier sludge, and improved grease and oil
separation are obtainable when chlorination of the primary influent is practiced.
Reduction or Delay of Biochemical Oxygen Demand
Chlorination of raw wastewater to produce a residual of 0.2 to 0.5 mg/L after 15 minutes contact
may cause a reduction of 15 to 35 percent in the BOD of the wastewater.  Generally, a reduction
of at least 2 mg/L of 5 day BOD is obtained for each mg/L of chlorine applied up to the point at
which a residual is produced.  When units of a plant become overloaded, use can be made of
chlorination to reduce the load until additional treatment facilities can be provided as the use of
chlorine for BOD reduction is usually not economical.  Chlorine is also used when the additional
load is only temporary, such as when supernatant is returned from sludge digesters or when a
plant receives intermittent discharges of industrial wastes.
 Occasionally, chlorination of the plant effluent to a relatively high residual is practiced to delay
or reduce the BOD load on receiving waters during short periods of extremely low stream flow. 
This is only an emergency procedure but does offer some aid under such conditions.  Generally,
the higher the residual carried the more the load is reduced, but care must be taken to prevent
fish kills by chlorine.