Wastewater FAQ

Q1: What is wastewater/effluent?

There are two types, treated and untreated (raw effluent).

Effluent is also known as wastewater and is generated by each of us daily and also by industry. Because it is wastewater it may be hazardous and will almost certainly contain micro-organisms.

Because effluent contains food and micro-organisms and possibly other contaminants it will harm the environment if untreated. Raw (untreated) effluent can be extremely damaging and must not be allowed into groundwater, seas, estuaries, rivers or lakes.

However, the potency of the wastewater can be reduced by allowing the food in the waste to be consumed in air (activated sludge treatment) or in the absence of air - anaerobic digestion.

 

Q2: What is BOD?

The BOD is a measure of the food quantity present and hence the polluting strength of the wastewater. The higher the BOD the more damaging the wastewater and the more likely the risk of fish kills.
COD and TOC, like BOD indicate the polluting strength of the wastewater.

 

Q3: Is effluent dangerous?

Yes if ingested. When handling effluent one should wear gloves.

 

Q4: What's in treated wastewater?

The composition of treated wastewater can vary but broadly speaking there will be solids (dissolved and insoluble or suspended solids), some food and nutrients such as phosphate, nitrate and ammonium.

If the wastewater is from chemical industry, traces of solvents, heavy metals, phenols etc and the like may be present. These will be controlled by licence and breaches will incur penalties from the EPA or the county council.

 


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