APES: Waste Water Treatment

point source pollution

Pollutants discharged from a single identifiable location (e.g., pipes, ditches, channels, sewers, tunnels, containers of various types).

non-point source pollution

pollution that comes from many sources rather than from a single, specific site; agricultural run-off is an example of this

coliform bacteria

Bacteria that live in the intestines (including the colon) of humans and other animals, used as a measure of the presence of feces in water or soil.

Wastewater

any water that has been used by humans. This includes human sewage, water drained from showers, tubs, sinks, dishwashers, washing machines, water from industrial processes, and storm water runoff.

Primary water treatment

filters out solid materials and sediments through grit chamber
- Settling tanks allow dissolved organic solids to fall out as sludge

secondary water treatment

Biological treatment of wastewater. Uses aerobic microorganisms to decompose organic wastes

Disinfection (water treatment)

Final stage before wastewater discharge. Involves chemical or UV treatment of water to address any unwanted biological material remaining in the samples.

effluent

flowing out

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Amount of oxygen required by aquatic bacteria to decompose given load of organic waste; a measure of water pollution.

grit chamber

pertains to the preliminary treatment phase in wastewater-treatment plants, where the velocity of flow is slowed down to a point where large materials can settle out

Bar screens

In primary wastewater treatment where water flows through screens to remove large objects from the water

Aeration tank

The tank where raw or settled wastewater is mixed with return sludge and aerated.

sludge

Solid waste material from wastewater

septic system

Small waste water system used by a single home or business.

wastewater treatment plant

Facility that processes water to remove wastes and then releases the clean water into a lake or stream

Watershed

An ecosystem where all water runoff drains into a single body of water

potable

suitable for drinking