Wastewater Treatment Methods

Wastewater treatment and management is one of the greatest needs of a community because families need to thrive on a healthy environment. Oftentimes, people flock in areas where there is abundant water supply, but as the community grows, water usage increases as well.

The problem is how to provide effective wastewater treatment management, to ensure the proper disposal of used water.

Types of Wastewater
Wastewater refers to water that has already been used and needs to be discarded. This includes storm water, sewage water, and that which has been used for other purposes and can no longer be reused, unless the impurities are removed. Sewage water comes from homes, businesses, hospitals, schools, and other institutions.

This usually requires high levels of wastewater treatment. Storm water comes from rain. Since its flow cannot be redirected easily, it is usually left untreated as it empties into the rivers, streams, lakes, and other bodies of water.

Wastewater Treatment Options
Sewer systems are the usual treatment option found in many communities. However, in newer communities where the number of homes is still small, it can be expensive to construct new sewage systems. Hence, some communities may utilize alternative systems to target affordability.

A good option, for example, is the use of a septic tank. Each home in the community can have their own septic tank built as a form of wastewater treatment.

Vacuum Sewer System
This system is especially designed for areas with flat surfaces and shallow soils. It gathers wastewater from each of the homes through small drainage pipes then directs it to a central vacuum station where it is pumped to a treatment facility or a larger sewage system. This wastewater treatment works perfectly for communities of higher housing density.

Grinder Pump
Sometimes, using a septic tank can become a huge problem when too much biodegradable material is passed through the sewage system. At this rate, the septic tank cannot be an effective wastewater treatment option.

Hence, homes and businesses that require the constant disposal of biodegradable material can make use of the grinder pump. It churns and grinds solid waste before it is flushed into the sewer along with the wastewater.

Mechanical Systems
Wastewater in larger quantities require a more effective wastewater treatment system, hence this option. Mechanical systems need constant attention from an operator and eats up a lot of energy as well.

Nonetheless, this system is required when natural methods and small-scale options do not work. It creates sludge out of waste and sends it to a separate treatment facility for further treatment.

Cluster System
This is a very good option when onsite wastewater treatment options are not practical. In this type of system, wastewater is transported to a nearby treatment facility located in a different neighborhood. This is often used as a strategy to treat water in areas of heavy housing density.

Homes and communities require effective wastewater treatment management. The examples given above are only for communities. Industrial facilities use more sophisticated methods of treating their wastewater.