THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS

TODAY’S FLUSH IS TOMORROW’S DRINK!

THE FLOW THROUGH THE WASTWATER TREATMENT IS BY GRAVITY, SO THE FIRST JOB IS TO LIFT THE INCOMING WASTEWATER TO THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE PLANT USING A SCREW PUMP.

STEP 1 - GET RID OF THE UNDIGESTABLE SOLIDS USING A BAR SCREEN FILTER.

STEP 2 - SLOW THE FLOW DOWN TO 2 FT/SEC AND GET RID OF THE GRIT IN THE GRIT CHANNEL.

STEP 3 - SLOW THE FLOW TO 1 FT/SEC AND ALLOW THE SLUDGE TO SETTLE OUT IN THE PRIMARY CLARIFIER.

STEP 4 - THE SLUDGE GOES TO THE SLUDGE DIGESTERS WHERE IT IS DIGESTED, AND METHANE GAS IS PRODUCED.

STEP 5 - THE REMAINING ORGANICS IN THE WATER ARE DIGESTED BY BACTERIA IN THE ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS. AIR IS PUMPED IN TO SUPPLY THE BACTERIA WITH OXYGEN.

STEP 6 - THE BACTERIA SETTLE OUT IN THE SECONDARY CLARIFIER, LEAVING CLEAR WATER. THE BACTERIA ARE RECYCLED BACK INTO THE ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS OR WASTED TO THE SLUDGE DIGESTER.

AFTER TREATING WITH HYPOCHLORITE (CHLOROX), THE WATER IS SENT TO THE YADKIN RIVER.

THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT PUT IN THE SEWER

1. NONDIGESTABLE SOLIDS – RAGS, DIAPERS, ETC.

2. GREASE, FATS, OILS

3. FOOD, FOOD SCRAPS