TERTIARY TREATMENT

 Secondary treatment removes 85 to 95 percent of BOD and TSS and minor portions of
nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals. Tertiary treatment is the next wastewater
treatment process after secondary treatment.

 This treatment is sometimes called as the final or advanced treatment and consists of
removing the organic load left after secondary treatment for removal of
 Nutrients from sewage and
 Mainly to kill the pathogenic bacteria.

 The effluents from secondary sewage treatment plants contain both Nitrogen (N) and
Phosphorus (P) fertilizers.

 When excess amounts of N and P are discharged, plant growth in the receiving waters
may be faster which results in eutrophication in the water body receiving such waste.

 Algae growth also encouraged causing blooms which are toxic to fish life as well as visually
unpleasing.

 Secondary treated effluent also contains suspended, dissolved & colloidal constituents which
may be required to be removed for required reuse or disposal of the treated effluent
The purpose of tertiary treatment is to provide a final treatment stage to raise
the effluent quality before it is discharged to the receiving environment such as
sea, river, lake, ground, etc., or to raise the treated water quality to such a level
to make it suitable for intended reuse.

This step removes different types of pollutants such as organic matter, SS,
nutrients, pathogens, and heavy metals that secondary treatment is not able to
remove.

Wastewater effluent becomes even cleaner in this treatment process through the
use of stronger and more advanced treatment systems. It includes
1)Sedimentation,
2)Coagulations,
3)Membrane processes,
4)Filtration,
5)Ion exchange,
6)Activated carbon adsorption,
7)Electrodialysis,
8)Nitrification and denitrification, etc.

Tertiary treatment is costly as compared to primary and secondary treatment

methods.
Need of Tertiary treatment
Tertiary treatment may be provided to the secondary effluent for one or more of the following.

1)To remove total suspended solids & organic matter present in effluents after secondary
treatment.
2)To remove specific organic & inorganic constituents from industrial effluent to make it
suitable for reuse.
3)To make treated wastewater suitable for land application purpose or directly discharge it
into the water bodies like rivers, lakes, etc.
4)To remove residual nutrients beyond what can be accomplished by earlier treatment
methods.
5)To remove pathogens from the secondary treated effluents.
6)To reduce total dissolved solids (TDS) from the secondary treated effluent to meet reuse
quality standards.
Filteration is defined as the process of allowing waste water to pass through a
thick layer of sand or other filtering media.

Filters may be classified as slow sand filters and rapid sand filters depending
upon the rate of filteration. The phenomena of filteration is quite complex, but
generally four function are performed.

Mechanical straining: which removes large suspended matter which cannot

pass through interstics between sand grains.
Sedimentation and adsorption: accounts for the removal of colloids,
suspended and bacterial particles. The interstices between sand grains act as
minute sedimentation basins.
Biological metabolism: it is the growth and life process of the living cells. The
surface layer gets coated with a zoogleal film in which bacterial activities are
highest.
Electrolyte action: a certain amount of dissolved and suspended matter in
H2O is ionized which interacts with particles of sand which are also ionized.
These neutralize each other and while doing so, change the chemical character
of water.
Filtration

Sand filtration removes much of the residual suspended matter.

Filtration over activated carbon, also called carbon adsorption, removes

residual toxins

Sand filters are used as a step in the water treatment process of water
purification.

There are three main types;

 Rapid (gravity) sand filters,

Upward flow sand filters and
 Slow sand filters.
Overall, there are several categories of sand bed filter:
1)Rapid (gravity) sand filters
2)Rapid (pressure) sand bed filters
3)Upflow sand filters
4)Slow sand filters

The pre‐treated raw water enters the filter chamber on the top, flows through the
filter medium and the effluent drains through the drainage system in the lower part.
Large process plants have also a system implemented to evenly distribute the raw
water to the filter.
In addition, a distribution system controlling the air flow is usually included.
 It allows a constant air and water distribution and prevents too high water flows in
specific areas.
 A typical grain distribution exits due to the frequent backwashing. Grains with
smaller diameter are dominant in the upper part of the sand layer while coarse grain
dominates in the lower parts.
Rapid pressure sand bed filter design
Smaller sand grains provide more surface area and therefore a higher decontamination of
the inlet water, but it also requires more pumping energy to drive the fluid through the bed.

 A compromise is that most rapid pressure sand bed filters use grains in the range 0.6 to
1.2 mm although for specialist applications other sizes may be specified.

Larger feed particles (>100 micrometres) will tend to block the pores of the bed and turn
it into a surface filter that binds rapidly.

Larger sand grains can be used to overcome this problem, but if significant amounts of
large solids are in the feed they need to be removed upstream of the sand bed filter by a
process such as settling.

The depth of the sand bed is recommended to be around 0.6–1.8 m (2–6 ft) regardless of
the application.

Rapid pressure sand bed filters are typically operated with a feed pressure of 2 to 5 bar(a)
(28 to 70 psi(a). The pressure drop across a clean sand bed is usually very low.
Rapid pressure filter
1=raw water,
2=filtered water,
3=tank,
4=inlet flushing
water, 5=outlet
flushing water,
6=retraction line,
7=scavenging air,
8=injector,
9=supporting layer,
10=filter sand,
11=flushing funnel,
12=ventilation
Slow sand filter design

As the title indicates, the speed of filtration is changed in the slow sand
filter, however, the biggest difference between slow and rapid sand filter, is
that the top layer of sand is biologically active, as microbial communities
are introduced to the system.
 The recommended and usual depth of the filter is 0.9 to 1.5 meters.
Microbial layer is formed within 10–20 days from the start of the
operation.
 During the process of filtration, raw water can percolate through the
porous sand medium, stopping and trapping organic material, bacteria,
viruses and cysts such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
 The regeneration procedure for slow sand filters is called scraping and
is used to mechanically remove the dried out particles on the filter.
 However, this process can also be done under water, depending on the
individual system.
Another limiting factor for the water being treated is turbidity, which is for
slow sand filters defined to be 10 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units).
Slow sand filters are a good option for limited budget operations as the
filtration is not using any chemicals and requires little or no mechanical
assistance.

However, because of a continuous growing population in communities, slow

sand filters are being replaced for rapid sand filters, mostly due to the
running period length.

Characteristics Rapid sand filter Slow sand filter

Filtration rate [m/h] 5–15 0.08–0.25
Media effective size [mm] 0.5–1.2 0.15–0.30
Bed depth [m] 0.6–1.9 0.9–1.5
Run length 1–4 days 1–6 months
Ripening period 15 min – 2 h Several days
Regeneration method Backwashing Scraping

Maximum raw‐water Unlimited with proper 10 NTU

turbidity pretreatment
Mixed bed filters

Filters can be constructed with different layers, called mixed bed filters.
 Sand is a common filter material, but anthracite, granular activated carbon
(GAC), garnet and ilmenite are also common filter materials.
Anthracite is a harder material and has less volatile compared to other coals.
Ilmenite and garnet are heavy compared to sand.
Garnet consists several minerals, causing a shifting red colour.
Ilmenite is an oxide of iron and titanium.
 GAC can be used in the process of adsorption and filtration at the same time.
These materials can be used both alone, or combined with other media.
Different combinations give different filter classification.
Monomedia is a one layered filter, commonly consisting of sand and is today
replaced by newer technology.
Deep‐bed monomedia is also a one layered filter which consist of either
anthracite or GAC.

 The deep‐bed monomedia filter is used when there is a consistent water

quality and this gives a longer run time.

Dual media (two layered) often contain a sand layer in the bottom with an
anthracite or GAC layer on top.

Trimedia or mixed media is a filter with three layers.

Trimedia often have garnet or ilmenite in the bottom layer, sand in the
middle and anthracite at the top.
Activated Carbon filters is based on liquid to solid adsorption process which
remove a solute from water via a selective solid resin.
Physical adsorption involves weak Vanderwaal‘s forces. Chemical adsorption
involves stronger interactions (e.g ion excahange or hydrogen banding
between the solid and the solute).

The solids may be

 Activated carbon
Activated alumina
Organoclays etc.

Adsorption can occur in fluidized, move or fixed bed as well as in upflow

pressure or gravity contact systems (in which the adsorbant is dropped
through a column of water).

The fixed resin bed is typically used in waste water treatment, it involves
passing waste water down through a packed column
Nitrogen removal

Wastewater containing nutrients includes sewage, agriculture runoff and many of the industrial effluents.
The nutrients of most concerned are N and P.

The major nitrogen compounds in domestic sewage are proteins, amines, amino acids, and urea.
Ammonia nitrogen in sewage results from the bacterial decomposition of these organic constituents.

The nitrogen compounds results from the biological decomposition of proteins and from urea discharged
in body waste. This nitrogen is in complex organic molecules and is referred simply as organic nitrogen.

Organic nitrogen may be biologically converted to free ammonia (NH3 0 ) or to the ammonium ion (NH4
+ ) by one of several different metabolic pathways. These two exists in equilibrium as NH4+ NH3 + H+

Ammonia nitrogen is the most reduced nitrogen found in wastewater, can be biologically
oxidized to nitrate if molecular oxygen is present (under aerobic condition).

In wastewater, the major forms of nitrogen are organic nitrogen and ammonia. The

biological conversion of ammonium to nitrate nitrogen is called Nitrification

The nitrification may takes place in biological treatment units provided the treatment periods
are long enough.

Generally, for the HRT used in secondary treatment conversion of organic nitrogen to
ammonia is important and nitrification may not be important.

Because of oxygen demand used by ammonia (about 4.6 mg of O2 per mg of NH+ -N

oxidized) and due to other environmental factors, removal of ammonia may be required.

The most common processes for removal of ammonia from wastewater are

i)Air stripping,
ii)Biological nitrification and denitrification.
I. Air stripping
It converts ammonium into gaseous phase and then dispersing into the air, thus
allowing transfer of the ammonia from wastewater to the air.

The gaseous phase NH3 and aqueous phase NH4+ exist together in equilibrium &
these phases depends upon both the pH and the temperature of the
wastewater.

The pH must be greater than 11 for complete conversion to NH3.,

adjustment of pH is necessary prior to air stripping.

Therefore - sufficient lime is added to raise the PH and to precipitate the

alkalinity, to add the excess OH- ions for pH adjustment.

The most important and efficient reactor for air stripping is counter current spray
tower

air to wastewater ratio ranging from 2000 to 6000 m3 of air/m3 of wastewater is

used for a Tower having depths less than 7.5 m, and hydraulic loading vary from
40 to 46 L/min.m2 of tower
II. Biological Nitrification and denitrification

Bacteria remove ammonia nitrogen from wastewater by a two step biological processes:
Nitrification followed by Denitrification to covert it finally to gaseous nitrogen.

In this gaseous form N2 is inert and does not react with the wastewater itself or with other
constituents. Since, treated wastewater is likely to be saturated with molecular nitrogen; the
produced N2 is simply released to the atmosphere.

Nitrification It has important role in nitrogen removal from wastewater during treatment.
The biological conversion of Ammonium to Nitrate nitrogen is called Nitrification. It is
autotrophic process i.e. energy for bacterial growth is derived by oxidation of nitrogen
compounds such as ammonia

Nitrification is a two‐step process.

I.In first step, bacteria known as Nitrosomonas can convert ammonia and ammonium to
nitrite. These bacteria known as nitrifiers are strictly aerobes. This process is limited by
the relatively slow growth rate of Nitrosomonas.
II.In the second step , the bacteria called Nitrobacter finish the conversion of nitrite to
nitrate.

High concentration of ammonia and nitrous acid can be inhibitory. The optimal for
nitrifying Bactria range from 7.5 to 8.6. Dissolved oxygen concentration above 1 mg/L is
essential for nitrification
Biological nutrient removal

Biological nutrient removal (BNR) is regarded by some as a type of secondary treatment

process, and by others as a tertiary (or "advanced") treatment process

Wastewater may contain high levels of the nutrients ‐‐‐nitrogen and phosphorus. Excessive
release to the environment can lead to a buildup of nutrients, called eutrophication, which
can in turn encourage the overgrowth of weeds, algae, and cyanobacteria (blue‐green
algae).
This may cause an algal bloom, a rapid growth in the population of algae.
The algae numbers are unsustainable and eventually most of them die.
The decomposition of the algae by bacteria uses up so much of the oxygen in the water
that most or all of the animals die, which creates more organic matter for the bacteria to
decompose.
In addition to causing deoxygenation, some algal species produce toxins that contaminate
drinking water supplies.

Different treatment processes are required to remove nitrogen and phosphorus.

Eutrophication (from Greek eutrophos, "well‐nourished"), or hypertrophication, is when a

body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients which encourage excess
growth of algae. This process may result in oxygen depletion of the water body. example :
an "algal bloom" or great increase of phytoplankton in a water body as a response to
increased levels of nutrients.
Eutrophication is regularly encouraged by the discharge of nitrate or phosphate‐containing
detergents, fertilizers, or sewage into an aquatic system.
 Mechanism of eutrophication

Eutrophication commonly arises from the ove rsupply

of nutrients, such as nitrogen or phosphorus, which
leads to overgrowth of plants & algae in aquatic
ecosystems.

After such organisms die, bacterial degradation of their

biomass results in oxygen consumption, thereby
creating the state of hypoxia (depleted oxygen)
Eutrophication of the Potomac River

1.Excess nutrients are applied to the soil.

2.Some nutrients leach into the soil where they can
remain for years. Finally, they get drained into the water
bodies.
3.Some nutrients run off over the ground into the
body of water.
4.Excess nutrients cause an algal bloom in water bodies
and ponds.
5.Algal bloom blocks the light of the sun from
reaching the bottom of the water body.
6.Plants under the algal bloom die due to lack of
sunlight for photosynthesis.
7.Finally, the algal bloom dies & sinks to lake
bottom. Bacteria begins to decompose the remains,
using up oxygen for respiration.
8.Decomposition causes the water to become oxygen
depleted, So fish, suffocate to death, such water bodies-
Nitrogen removal
Nitrogen is removed through the biological oxidation of nitrogen from ammonia to nitrate
(nitrification), followed by denitrification, the reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas.
Nitrogen gas is released to the atmosphere and thus removed from the water.

Nitrification itself is a two-step aerobic process, each step facilitated by a different type of bacteria.
The oxidation of Ammonia (NH3) to Nitrite (NO2−) is most repeatedly facilitated by
Nitrosomonas spp. ("nitroso" referring to the formation of a nitroso functional group).

Nitrite oxidation to Nitrate (NO3−), though Nitrobacter spp. (nitro referring the formation of a nitro
functional group), is now known to be facilitated in the environment almost exclusively by
Nitrospira spp.
Phosphorus removal

It is a limiting nutrient for algae growth in many fresh water systems. (For a
description of the negative effects of algae

High phosphorus concentrations may lead to fouling of downstream

equipment such as reverse osmosis.

Phosphorus can be removed biologically in a process called enhanced

biological phosphorus removal.

In this process, specific bacteria, called polyphosphate-accumulating

organisms (PAOs), are selectively enriched and accumulate large
quantities of phosphorus within their cells (up to 20 percent of their mass).

When the biomass enriched in these bacteria is separated from the

treated water, these biosolids have a high fertilizer value.
 Phosphorus removal can also be achieved by chemical precipitation,
usually with salts of iron (e.g. ferric chloride), aluminum (e.g. alum), or
lime.

 This may lead to excessive sludge production as hydroxides precipitate and

the added chemicals can be expensive.

 Chemical phosphorus removal requires significantly smaller equipment

footprint than biological removal, is easier to operate and is often more
reliable than biological phosphorus removal.

 Another method for phosphorus removal is to use granular laterite.

 In either case, using both biological and chemical phosphorus removal has
the advantage of not increasing sludge production as much as chemical
phosphorus removal on its own, with the disadvantage of the increased initial
cost associated with installing two different systems.

 Once removed, phosphorus, in the form of a phosphate-rich sewage sludge,

may be dumped in a landfill or used as fertilizer.

 In the latter case, the treated sewage sludge is also sometimes referred to as
biosolids
Disinfection
The purpose of disinfection in the treatment of waste water is to significantly reduce the
number of microorganisms in the water to be discharged back into the environment for the later use
of drinking, bathing, irrigation, etc.

The effectiveness of disinfection depends on the quality of the water being treated (e.g., cloudiness,
pH, etc.), the type of disinfection used, disinfectant dosage and time,

Cloudy water will be treated less successfully, since solid matter can protect the organisms,
especially from ultraviolet light or if contact times are low.

Generally, short contact times, low doses and high flows all mitigate against effective disinfection.

Common methods of disinfection include ozone, chlorine, ultraviolet light, or sodium

hypochlorite.

 Monochloramine, which is used for drinking water, is not used in the treatment of waste
water because of its persistence. After multiple steps of disinfection, the treated water is ready to be
released back into the water cycle by means of the nearest body of water or agriculture.

Afterwards, the water can be transferred to reserves for everyday human uses.
Chlorination is the most common form of waste water disinfection due to its low
cost and long-term history of effectiveness.

1.One disadvantage is that chlorination of residual organic material can

generate chlorinated-organic compounds that may be carcinogenic or
harmful to the environment.

2.Residual chlorine or chloramines may also be capable of chlorinating organic

material in the natural aquatic environment.

3.Further, because residual chlorine is toxic to aquatic species, the treated effluent
must also be chemically dechlorinated, adding to the complexity and cost of
treatment.
Ultraviolet (UV) light can be used instead of chlorine, iodine, or other chemicals.

Because no chemicals are used, the treated water has no adverse effect on organisms that
later consume it, as may be the case with other methods.

UV radiation causes damage to the genetic structure of bacteria, viruses, & other pathogens,
making them incapable of reproduction.

 The disadvantages of UV disinfection are the need for frequent lamp

maintenance and replacement and the need for a highly treated effluent to ensure that the
target microorganisms are not shielded from the UV radiation (i.e., any solids present in the
treated effluent may protect microorganisms from the UV light).

In the United Kingdom, UV light is becoming the most common means of disinfection
because of the concerns about the impacts of chlorine in chlorinating residual organics in the
wastewater and in chlorinating organics in the receiving water.

Some sewage treatment systems in Canada and the US also use UV light for their effluent
water disinfection.
Ozone (O3) is generated by passing oxygen (O2) through a high voltage potential
resulting in a third oxygen atom becoming attached and forming O3.

 Ozone is very unstable and reactive and oxidizes most organic material it comes
in contact with, thereby destroying many pathogenic microorganisms.

 Ozone is considered to be safer than chlorine because, unlike chlorine which

has to be stored on site (highly poisonous in the event of an accidental release),

 ozone is generated on‐site as needed from the oxygen in the ambient air.

Ozonation also produces fewer disinfection by‐ products than chlorination.

A disadvantage of ozone disinfection is the high cost of the ozone generation

equipment and the requirements for special operators.
 large volume of wastewater called sewage is generated from many different sources. This
sewage represents lot of organic matter.

Why microbiology?
Wastewater treatment is a biological process,
A wastewater treatment plant is a microbiological zoo that houses bacteria, protozoa,
metazoa and other microlife.

The microorganisms do the actual breakdown and removal of nutrients and organic
material in the wastewater
 Wastewater treatment facilities are designed to allow the natural process of the
breakdown of pollution to occur under controlled conditions.
These systems include physical and chemical processes to remove solids and
heavier materials.

However, left behind is the liquid containing soluble and insoluble organic material

Sewage contains nutrients of every type; phosphorus, nitrogen, sodium, potassium, iron,
calcium and compounds such as fats, sugars and proteins.
Microorganisms use these substances as a “food” source for energy, for the synthesis of cell
components and to maintain life processes
 It is the job of the operator to provide a favorable environment for the microorganisms.
 The operator provides the “food” and the favorable environment and the microorganisms
do the work of removing nutrients and providing wastewater treatment.
 The health and well being of these microorganisms are critical to the adequate treatment of
sewage
 Many types of microorganisms can be found in the wastewater treatment system.
 But, the types of organisms that will dominate will be the ones that are best suited to the
“environment” or conditions in the system.
 Wastewater treatment systems are designed to support an “environment” that suits a certain
type of microorganism.
 These microorganisms not only remove organic wastes from the water, but they also “settle
out” as solid material for easy removal.
 Wastewater treatment operators are required to maintain the right conditions in the treatment
system for the right type of microorganisms.
 If the right conditions are not present, the wrong microorganisms will dominate.
 These “wrong” microorganisms not only delay with the successful removal of wastes from
the water, but they themselves may be difficult to remove from the system.
 Microorganisms that are natural to the wastewater environment play a vital role
in the wastewater treatment process.
 Beneficial bacteria, protozoa, metazoa, algae, and fungi feed on organic material
in wastewater, breaking it down.

 Bacteria clump together, or floc, forming masses that settle and separate from
wastewater liquids. This settled mass is called sludge.
MICROBIOLOGY OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE

Activated sludge is a mixture of microorganisms that come

in contact with and digest biodegradable materials (food)
from wastewater.
Once most of the material is removed from the wastewater,
microorganisms form floc and settle out as sludge.
Some type of microorganism will always grow in the
system. The organisms that will dominate will be the ones
that are best suited to the environment.
 So, it is important that the operator create an
environment that will raise the type of microorganisms that
we want – floc-forming bacteria.
For the purpose of studying activated sludge we will look at
3 different types of microorganisms:

•Bacteria (95%)
•Protozoa (4%)
•Metazoa (1%)
Bacteria
Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that come in three basic
shapes:
1)bacillus, which is rod-shaped, square or rectangular,
2)coccus, which is round or oval shaped, and
3)spirillum, which is spiral or cork-screw shaped.

Bacteria are classified based on how they respond to oxygen.

 Aerobic bacteria require oxygen to live;
 Facultative Bacteria prefer oxygen but can survive for some time
without oxygen
 Anaerobic bacteria cannot live in the presence of oxygen.

The most important microorganisms in the activated sludge system are

the aerobic bacteria.
They consume the biodegradable material found in wastewater.
They consume proteins, carbohydrates, fats and many other compounds
 Bacteria consume biodegradable organic materials, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
through adsorption and absorption. Bacteria can only consume soluble organic material.
Solid particles of “food” must be eaten by a two-step process.
1)Adsorption
2)Absorption

During adsorption, food particles that are too big to pass through the cell membrane and bacteria
stick to each other. The bacteria secrete enzymes, which dissolve food particles into very small
units. These small units of food can now pass through the bacteria’s cell wall.

Absorption is the process by which smaller dissolved units of food pass into the cell membrane..

Primary treatment played a major role in removing most of the particulates or “settleable solids”
and floating off most of the grease.

Primary effluent entering the aeration basin contains dissolved nutrients.

This allows the bacteria to work more efficiently by eliminating the need to break down nutrients
before they can be absorbed in the cell body.

Without primary treatment, they have to work twice as hard

Enzymes
Enzymes are compounds that are made
by living organisms for the purpose of
helping biochemical reactions to occur.

 All biochemical reactions

require enzymes.
Bacteria need enzymes to breakdown
nutrients.
For example,
E. coli bacteria emit enzymes to
help break down food molecules so they
can pass through the cell wall into the cell.

Enzymes are peculiar compounds that

only work when the conditions are right.
If the enzymes do not work, the bacteria
will not function properly and will not
survive
Growth Characteristics
oIn a typical activated sludge system. Influent wastewater
leaving primary treatment- enters the aeration basin.
oMicroorganisms in the settled sludge are returned to the
aeration basin.
oHere the microorganisms mix with the wastewater. The
mixture is called “mixed liquor”.
oWhen the influent wastewater first enters the aeration basin
it contains a high level of nutrients or food.
oHere at the head end of the basin has plenty of food and
bacteria utilizes this food for their growth and energy.
oA growing bacterium has flagella (hair-like structures on the
outside of the cell).
oThe flagella make it motile and able to move in search of
food.
oThey are multiplying rapidly and do not settle to form floc.
 When food is limited but, most of the available food is used for energy and cell maintenance.
 There is less food left for growth, thus less reproduction occurs.
 The bacterium takes steps to conserve energy by losing its flagella.
 The waste products start to form a thick slime layer outside the cell wall causing the
bacteria to stick together to form floc.
 Bacteria Growth Curve

Lag-phase : During the lag-phase, bacteria are becoming adjusted to their new environment. They are digesting
food and are developing the enzymes need to break down the types of nutrients that the bacteria have detected.
Growth does not occur during this phase.

Accelerated Growth-phase: Bacteria begin to grow at a rapid rate because of the excess amount of food
available. The cells are mostly dispersed & active. They are not sticking together to form floc.

Declining Growth-phase: Reproduction slows down at this phase, because there

is no-long an excess amount of food. There are a large number of bacteria that
have to compete for the remaining food. The bacteria begin to lose their flagella.
i
Bacteria n the activated sludge
system must be allowed to hang
Stationary-phase: Because of the lack of food, some bacteria are reproducing out in the aeration basin until
but an equal numbers are also dying. So, the number of bacteria remains they reach the stationary-phase.
relatively constant.
If they flow out of the basin too
Death-phase : In this phase the death rate increases with little or no growth early, they will be active and
occurring. The total number of bacteria keeps reducing. motile and will not settle out as
floc.