Tertiary treatment removes residual contaminants like nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus), suspended solids, and pathogens to produce high-quality effluent suitable for reuse or safe environmental discharge.
In secondary treatment, bacteria are the primary microorganisms responsible for degrading organic matter. They consume the organic waste, converting it into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass.
In an activated sludge system, aeration supplies oxygen to aerobic microorganisms, enabling them to metabolize organic matter in the wastewater.
Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes like activated sludge or trickling filters to reduce Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) by breaking down organic matter using microorganisms.
Primary treatment focuses on removing large solids and inorganic materials, such as sand and grit, through sedimentation and screening processes before biological treatment begins.
