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Effluent. It’s something that most of us don’t have to give a moment’s thought to as we go through our daily lives. In fact, you’ll probably find that most people don’t even recognise the word. Industrial wastewater, as it’s also known, is found across nearly every industry out there; simply put, it’s the water-based by-products of production and manufacture. As organisations across every sector begin to think about environmental responsibilities, the way in which we carry out industrial water treatment is becoming ever more important. If you’re working in any kind of industry, chances are that somewhere along the production line you’ll encounter industrial water treatment as part of your organisation’s operations. To help demystify things slightly, we’ll outline below what the three main stages of this process are and how they fit into the life of most companies. Primary Primary industrial water treatment is the first stage of the process, and it’s the stage at which the bulk of the wastewater will be transported somewhere for it to settle. In this phase, larger components of the wastewater will sink to the bottom of the settling tank to be disposed of in the proper way, while the lighter particulates in the water remain near the top, to be moved onto the secondary phase. The sludge at the bottom of the settling tank can be mechanically scraped away and treated at a different plant that specialises in working with these types of by-products. The takeaway here is that the first stage is essentially about removing the larger solids from the effluent. Secondary The second part of the industrial water treatment process is where things get a bit more complicated and time-consuming. In this phase, biological processes begin to be involved, such as the use of bacteria to remove the harmful particulates. The bacteria involved basically consumes the harmful by-products, leaving slightly cleaner water in its wake. This does take a long time, however, as the system is at the mercy of the living organisms involved. Tertiary The final stage is what enables organisations to be fully compliant with their effluent regulations. This is where the wastewater is disinfected to a very high standard – enough that it can be reintroduced into the biosphere. Treatment methods vary, but can involve UV light as well as chemicals. Of course, in the case of the latter, there may be danger involved, which is why those involved in the industry are so highly trained and skilled. A Job for the Experts As anyone can see, the various processes involved in industrial water treatment are complex and can be environmentally hazardous. For this reason it’s never a good idea to attempt to carry out this type of work without calling in the experts. There are highly-trained professional teams out there who will ensure that these complicated pieces of work are not a cause for concern for your organisation or business. Author Plate Sean Clifford is an advisor at AllWater Technologies Ltd, a wholly independent company providing consultation and water treatment equipment, including industrial water treatment plant and reverse osmosis water systems. Bringing together a host of experience and specialist knowledge, the company is committed to building and maintaining long-term relationships and creating maximum value and benefit for their customers.
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