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Chapter 20: Problem 4

Name and describe the facility and the process used to remove debris, grit, particulate organic matter, colloidal and dissolved organic matter, and dissolved nutrients from wastewater.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The facility used to remove debris, grit, particulate matter, colloidal and dissolved organic matter, and dissolved nutrients from wastewater is the wastewater treatment plant. Processes include screening for larger debris, sedimentation for grit and particulations, biological treatment for organic matter and chemical/biological treatments for nutrient removal.

Step by step solution

01

Initial Wastewater Treatment

The initial treatment of wastewater occurs in a facility known as a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The primary process begins with the removal of large debris using a course screen. After this, grit and particulate matter is removed in a grit chamber that slows down the flow of water to allow these particles to settle.
02

Secondary Wastewater Treatment

The secondary treatment involves the removal of colloidal and dissolved organic matter. This is done through a biological treatment process where bacteria and other microorganisms consume organic matter. This occurs in an aerated tank known as an activated sludge tank, followed by sedimentation tanks to remove the microbial biomass.
03

Tertiary Wastewater Treatment

Lastly, tertiary treatment, also known as advanced treatment, removes the dissolved nutrients. Nutrient removal usually involves adding chemicals to get rid of phosphorus and using biological processes to remove nitrogen via nitrification and denitrification.
04

Final Step

After this process, the water is disinfected usually via chlorination or UV radiation and then discharged back into the environment.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Describe the TMDL program. How does it address nonpoint-source pollution, and what role do water quality criteria play in the program?

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What practices and consequences led to passage of the Clean Water Act of 1972?

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