In order for sewage systems to work properly, it is important that the wastewater passing through them goes through a series of stages. This helps remove pollutants and debris from the water before it is released back into the environment. In this blog post, we will take a look at the three main stages of sewage treatment and what happens to your waste during each one!

Primary Stage

The first stage of sewage treatment (and how to manage wastewater) is primary treatment. This is when wastewater (from residential dwellings) is funneled into a tank and allowed to settle in the tank for a period of time. The logic behind this is that heavy solids and other materials will settle to the bottom of the tank while lighter substances (grease and oil) float to the top, allowing it to be skimmed off later. Once enough time has passed to allow for the natural separation of debris and sediment, the remaining wastewater (otherwise known as effluent) is expelled from the primary sedimentation tank and directed into the secondary pre-treatment chamber.

Secondary Stage

The secondary stage of sewage treatment is designed to remove remaining suspended solids from the effluent before it is discharged into receiving waters. This is usually done using a process known as aeration, which involves pumping air into the effluent and allowing it to mix with the water. This process encourages the rapid growth of aerobic bacteria and protozoa, which consume the organic matter in the water thus helping accelerate the process of decomposition and purify the wastewater even further.

Tertiary Stage

The tertiary stage of sewage treatment is the final stage in the process and is designed to remove any remaining hazards from the wastewater before it is released back into the environment. The wastewater is left to settle at which point the aerobic bacteria which were propagated in the second stage will settle at the bottom of the tank. From here chlorine is introduced or ultraviolet light is administered in an effort to remove any unwanted bacteria. After this the water is finally clean enough to be discharged into receiving waters!

Further Treatment?

In some cases, the effluent from the tertiary stage of sewage treatment will still need to undergo further advanced treatment before it can be released back into the environment depending on discharge location and use. This is usually only necessary in instances where the receiving waters are particularly sensitive (such as in areas where there is a lot of marine life) or when the effluent contains high levels of contaminants or bacteria.

The Takeaway

Hopefully this blog post has given you a better understanding of the sewage treatment process and what happens to your waste once it enters the sewage system. It is important to remember that proper sewage maintenance is essential in ensuring that these systems can continue to operate effectively and efficiently!