Waste Water Treatment: Types, Traditional Methods and Process

This report discusses the types of waste water treatment, traditional methods of treating waste water and the process of treating waste water. It emphasizes the importance of waste water treatment and its impact on the environment.

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Report #/Date: Report 3 / Nov 8th, 2018
Supervisor Name: Eng. Marwa Waly
Project Title: Using Constructed Wetland for Waste Water Treatment
3.0 Waste Water Treatment
3.1 What is Waste Water Treatment (Mohammad)
Fig: 1 SEWAGE TREATMENT PROCESS
Source: North engineering solution
Water pollution can be defined as the contamination of water bodies such as oceans,
sea, lakes, river, groundwater and aquifers mostly caused by human beings (Pal et al. 2014).
Waste water treatment is a procedure of converting waste water into water that can be used
again. Waste water can be formed through various activities such as bathing, washing or even
using toilet (Von Sperling and de Lemos Chernicharo 2017). While the waste water contents
various contaminants including chemicals, bacteria and other toxic particles. The treatment of
waste water aims to produce water from the waste water that will have reduced contaminant to
the extent when it can scientifically be called safe. Waste water treatment is also known as
sewage treatment (Loos et al 2013). It is removal of impurities from sewage or waste water
before the waste water reaches the natural water bodies. The water bodies content water that is
naturally found in the lakes and rivers. Any polluted water in the aquifer will disturb the natural
balance of the components present in the water. Since there is less pure water available, the
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difference between the uncontaminated water and contaminated water highly relies on the form
and concentration of impurities that are found in the water. Considering the broader meaning,
water is said to be polluted when it contains adequate impurities in order to make the water
unsuitable for drinking, fishing as well as swimming. Even though quality of water is said to be
impacted by natural conditions, the word pollution usually implies the human activity as the main
cause of water pollution. Hence, the prime cause of water pollution is caused by the drainage of
contaminated wastewater into groundwater or the surface of water. Wastewater is one of the
main causes of water pollution. Fig: 1 illustrates the process through which sewage treatment, a
process of water treatment takes place.
Reflections: Waste water treatment is a procedure of converting waste water into water that
can be used again. This is an important process that is highly needed in our environment. This
process should be understood by every citizen in order to understand that it is a lengthy and
expensive process. This will make the citizens value fresh water and avoid wasting it.

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3.2 Types of Waste Water Treatment (Aws)
Waste water is any kind of water that is impacted by human use. Any form of used water
that is in combination of domestic, industrial, commercial or agricultural activities, storm water,
or any sewer water is under the category of wastewater (Campbell and Corley 2015). This
wastewater is unsafe for drinking purpose however they can be used by human in many ways.
The water changes the chemical properties and changes their nature by making them
unsuitable for human, plant and animals. Every particle that can be either organic or inorganic
determines the quality of water, chemical and biological. This particle includes microbes,
viruses, bacteria, fungi and many more (Rezania et al. 2015). However, the wastewater can be
treated before they are released into the water bodies. There are several ways the water
treatment is performed.
There are treatment plants for wastewater, chemical or physical and biological. The
biological waste treatment plants utilize biological matters as well as bacteria that help in
breaking down the waste materials. Hence, biological treatment systems are ideal when
household waste water needs to be treated The water contents are compared with the
standards set against what is indeed achieved through treatment of water scientifically
(Stringfellow et al. 2014)..
The procedure of cleaning the waste water is to expel the pollutants from the household and
water sewages. The three subdivisions can be created when the waste wastewater treatment
strategies are arranged. The three kinds of wastewater treatment process are as follows.
3.2.1 Effluent treatment plants
These plants are mostly used by the large industrial organizations and the
pharmaceutical. These plants are engaged more synthetically. The organizations that
use these plants are mostly prone to chemical spill over, therefore, effluent treatment
plants are used for they are likely to cleanse water to help ensure the environment.
These facilities use evaporation and various other drying techniques as well as
additionally microscopic filtration so the chemical processing is spurred (Rizzo et al.
2013).
3.2.2 Sewage treatment plants
Sewage treatment plants: the sewage treatment is known as the process in
which contaminants from family unit sewage and wastewater are expelled on large
scale. Through incorporation of physical, biological and chemical methods chemical,
physical and biological contaminants are evacuated. To create a waste stream is the
main goal of this process. It also includes treatment of profluent and a solid waste to
make it safe for reuse as well as release into the environment. The first method, pre-
treatment evacuates materials that are collected from the raw wastewater for the
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prevention of damage or any clogging up of pumps as well as pipes. The influent
sewage water is checked and filtered to expel each substantial object that is carried in
the sewage stream. Today plans that are serving extensive populaces are most likely to
be done with an automated mechanically rounded bar screen. For the smaller or plants
that are less modern manual cleaning is utilized. The solids which get collected are
arranged later in a landfill and burned. Grit evacuation might be incorporated in the pre-
treatment that involves a sand or coarseness channel or chamber. In these, the speed of
the approaching wastewater is made to permit sand, stones, and grit in order to settle
(Michael et al. 2013).
3.2.3 Common and combined effluent treatment plants
Small-scale industries usually lack sufficient energy, space or funds to set up any
treatment framework by themselves. Therefore, they are highly depended on a
consolidated networking system arrangement of plants for the purpose of wiping out
wastewater (Bharagava and Mishra 2018.). In order to combat the reach of these
organization’s belongings, in industrial centers who releases high amount of
contamination the combined effluent treatment is frequently used. The septic tank of
house is not only the basic tool for cleaning home but also for keeping the environment
clean (Luo et al. 2014).
Reflections: There are various types of waste water. The process of treating water depends on
the size of the responsible administration. It is important to understand various ways of treating
wastewater.by understanding the process, it will help in determining the right approach while
selecting the plants for own area.

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3.3 Traditional Methods of Treating Waste Water (Abdullah)
Fig: 2 DOF
Source: North engineering solution
Traditional wastewater treatment plants are the large outdoor facilities. It cleans the
water as well as leaves the water with several qualities. Fig:2 illustrates DOF, a process used
for cleansing water.
The traditional process of waste water treatment included only the basic and required process:
• Screening: screening removes large objects such as nappies, sanitary items, diapers and
many more.
• Primary treatment: this process involves separating organic matters or human waste. This
process removes the dirt by letting it settle in a large tank.
• Secondary treatment: this method involves cleaning the water again approximately applying
the same methods in more intense form.
• Final treatment: final treatment is removing the harmful substances. This process is done by
letting the water filter through a bed of sand and after this process, the water is released into the
environment.
Water pollution that is caused by sewage water is mostly found in the cities. It is one of the main
difficulties in the urban areas. Sewage water flows into the rivers, lakes and water bodies
without being treated. The disposal of water without much care creates a long chain of
problems. Issues such as speeding diseases, increase in biological oxygen demand,
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eutrophication and many more are the result of the careless act performed by human (Guerrero,
Maas and Hogland 2013).
Reflections:
I learned that waste water treatment cleans the water and leaves the water with several
qualities. The cleansing of water has been initiated long ago. That is the reason people have
developed several methods of cleaning wastewater. The old process was effective however
there is need for more suitable water which makes it important to use the latest technology.

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3.3.1 Process of Treating Waste Water (Hejab)
Fig: 3 TREATMENT PLANT
Source: North engineering solution
Wastewater treatment is a performed through a process. Figure 3 illustrates process of
treating waste water stage by stage. The stages of waste water treatment are as follows:
1. Wastewater collection: The initial step of wastewater treatment is the gathering of the
waste water. Collection systems are placed as per the sewage water areas. These collection
systems are placed in households as well as the responsible administration. The water id
directed to the treatment pants with the help of underground drainage systems (Qasim 2017). It
is important to transfer the wastewater under hygienic conditions. The pipes used in the process
should be free from any leakage and the people involved in the process should wear protective
clothing as well (Hedgespeth et al. 2012).
2. Odor control: odor control is very important while treating the wastewater. For the
presence of dirt and contaminated particles, the wastewater develops a foul smell over the time.
This process includes processes of removing the foul smell that is developed over the time
through odor treatment plants. The bad smell producing elements are controlled and treated
using various chemicals to neutralize. Since it is the initial wastewater treatment plant process it
is a crucial stage (Yang, Zhang and Wang 2015).
3. Screening: screening is the following step of the treatment process. This process
includes elimination of big objects such as diapers, plastic bottles, face wipes and other non-
degradable objects. It is one of the crucial step for any ignorance in this process will lead to
constant machine problem or equipment issues. The specially designed machine operates to
separate the grit that commonly washed down into the sewer lines by rainwater. The solid
wastes are disposed in the landfills separated from the water (Czekalski et al. 2012).
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4. Primary treatment: the primary treatment process involves the first macroscopic particle
separation. The separation of macrobiotics solid matter from the wastewater. This treatment is
done by pouring wastewater into the big tank and let the solid particles settle down at the lowest
surface. Then with the help of a large scrapper the solid waste and sludge is removed. It pushes
the wastes into the center of the cylindrical tanks which is treated later by pumping it out. The
water that remains are pumped for the secondary treatment (Razzak et al. 2013).
5. Secondary treatment: this process is also called as the activated sludge process. This
process involves adding seed sludge to the waste water to make sure it is broken to the furthest
level. Air is pumped into huge aeration tanks, which encourages the growth of bacteria that uses
oxygen. The remaining growth of other microorganisms that consume rest of the organic matter.
The large particles settle down in the tank’s bottom. The large tanks are passed through the
wastewater for a period of 3- 6 hours (Yang, Zhang and Wang 2015).
6. Bio-solid handling: the solid matter after settling down of primary and secondary
treatment stages are directed to digesters. These digesters are bringing into heat at a room
temperature. The solid waste that are collected are then treated for a month and during the
process they undergo anaerobic digestion (Czekalski et al. 2012). Methane gases are produced
while this process takes place and nutrient rich bio-solids is also formed. These are recycled as
well as dewatered into the local firms. The methane gas produced can used as a source of
energy for the treatment of plants. The gas can be used to form electricity in machines or even
for driving plant equipment (Hedgespeth et al. 2012).
7. Tertiary treatment: similar to clean raw water for drinking purpose the tertiary treatment
is capable of removing 99 per cent of impurities from wastewater. The process makes the water
close to drinking water quality. However, this process inexpensive and cannot be afforded by
everyone (Hedgespeth et al. 2012). This process is well trained and high skilled equipment
operators, chemicals and steady energy supply is required. These requirements are not easily
found.
8. Disinfection: there are still some of the diseases causing organisms. This process is
helpful in eliminating these particles from the wastewater. Around 20- 25 minutes in tank is
needed in order to treat the wastewater and disinfect them. This is an important part of the
process. In the tank chlorine and sodium hypochlorite is used. After this process the effluent is
released into the environment through local water ways (Czekalski et al. 2012).
9. Sludge treatment: the sludge treatment is the process where the produced sludge that is
collected during the primary and secondary treatment needs thickening and concentration to
enable further processing (Kelessidis and Stasinakis 2012). The collected materials are put into
thickening tanks and let it settle down. Later, the settled particles are separated from the water.
This particular process can last for 24 hours. The remaining water is gathered and treated in the
aeration tank. The sludge that remains is safe for any other purpose in environment such as
agriculture. The waste water treatment has several benefits and these benefits should be
utilized as well (Yang, Zhang and Wang 2015).
Reflections: The modern technology has been the most effective methods of cleaning
wastewater. It is the most affordable and easily available process. Therefore, the
implementation of this process is important. It is also suitable for small scale industries.

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References (Mohammad)
1. Pal, A., He, Y., Jekel, M., Reinhard, M. and Gin, K.Y.H., 2014. Emerging contaminants
of public health significance as water quality indicator compounds in the urban water
cycle. Environment international, 71, pp.46-62.
2. Von Sperling, M. and de Lemos Chernicharo, C.A., 2017. Biological wastewater
treatment in warm climate regions (p. 857). IWA publishing.
3. Loos, R., Carvalho, R., António, D.C., Comero, S., Locoro, G., Tavazzi, S., Paracchini,
B., Ghiani, M., Lettieri, T., Blaha, L. and Jarosova, B., 2013. EU-wide monitoring survey
on emerging polar organic contaminants in wastewater treatment plant effluents. Water
research, 47(17), pp.6475-6487.
References (Aws)
1. Campbell, H.E. and Corley, E.A., 2015. Water. In Urban Environmental Policy Analysis
(pp. 185-216). Routledge
2. Rezania, S., Ponraj, M., Talaiekhozani, A., Mohamad, S.E., Din, M.F.M., Taib, S.M.,
Sabbagh, F. and Sairan, F.M., 2015. Perspectives of phytoremediation using water
hyacinth for removal of heavy metals, organic and inorganic pollutants in wastewater.
Journal of environmental management, 163, pp.125-133.
3. Stringfellow, W.T., Domen, J.K., Camarillo, M.K., Sandelin, W.L. and Borglin, S., 2014.
Physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of compounds used in hydraulic
fracturing. Journal of hazardous materials, 275, pp.37-54.
4. Rizzo, L., Manaia, C., Merlin, C., Schwartz, T., Dagot, C., Ploy, M.C., Michael, I. and
Fatta-Kassinos, D., 2013. Urban wastewater treatment plants as hotspots for antibiotic
resistant bacteria and genes spread into the environment: a review. Science of the total
environment, 447, pp.345-360.

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5. Michael, I., Rizzo, L., McArdell, C.S., Manaia, C.M., Merlin, C., Schwartz, T., Dagot, C.
and Fatta-Kassinos, D., 2013. Urban wastewater treatment plants as hotspots for the
release of antibiotics in the environment: a review. Water research, 47(3), pp.957-995.
6. Bharagava, R.N. and Mishra, S., 2018. Hexavalent chromium reduction potential of
Cellulosimicrobium sp. isolated from common effluent treatment plant of tannery
industries. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 147, pp.102-109.
7. Luo, Y., Guo, W., Ngo, H.H., Nghiem, L.D., Hai, F.I., Zhang, J., Liang, S. and Wang,
X.C., 2014. A review on the occurrence of micropollutants in the aquatic environment
and their fate and removal during wastewater treatment. Science of the total
environment, 473, pp.619-641.
References (Abdullah)
1. Guerrero, L.A., Maas, G. and Hogland, W., 2013. Solid waste management challenges
for cities in developing countries. Waste management, 33(1), pp.220-232.
2. North engineering solution, 2014, retrieved from
http://www.northernengineering.co.uk/ec-.html
References (Hejab)
1. Czekalski, N., Berthold, T., Caucci, S., Egli, A. and Bürgmann, H., 2012. Increased
levels of multiresistant bacteria and resistance genes after wastewater treatment and
their dissemination into Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Frontiers in Microbiology, 3, p.106.
2. Hedgespeth, M.L., Sapozhnikova, Y., Pennington, P., Clum, A., Fairey, A. and Wirth, E.,
2012. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in treated wastewater
discharges into Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. Science of the Total Environment,
437, pp.1-9.
3. Kelessidis, A. and Stasinakis, A.S., 2012. Comparative study of the methods used for
treatment and final disposal of sewage sludge in European countries. Waste
management, 32(6), pp.1186-1195.
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4. Qasim, S.R., 2017. Wastewater treatment plants: planning, design, and operation.
Routledge.
5. Razzak, S.A., Hossain, M.M., Lucky, R.A., Bassi, A.S. and de Lasa, H., 2013. Integrated
CO2 capture, wastewater treatment and biofuel production by microalgae culturing—A
review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 27, pp.622-653.
6. Yang, G., Zhang, G. and Wang, H., 2015. Current state of sludge production,
management, treatment and disposal in China. Water research, 78, pp.60-73.