Primary treatment

Primary treatment

Primary treatment is the initial stage of the wastewater treatment process. It involves the removal of solid materials from the wastewater to reduce the load on subsequent treatment stages.

Pronunciation

• /ˈpraɪ.mer.i ˈtriːt.mənt/

Etymology

The term "primary treatment" is derived from the Latin word "primarius" meaning "first" and the Old French word "traitier" meaning "to treat".

Process

Primary treatment involves several steps. First, the wastewater is screened to remove large objects that could damage equipment or clog pipes. Next, the wastewater is allowed to settle in a sedimentation tank where heavier solids sink to the bottom and lighter materials float to the top. The settled solids, known as sludge, are then removed for further treatment or disposal. The remaining wastewater, now relatively free of solids, moves on to the secondary treatment stage.

Related Terms

• Wastewater treatment
• Sedimentation tank
• Sludge
• Secondary treatment

See Also

• Water treatment
• Sewage treatment
• Tertiary treatment

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Primary treatment
• Wikipedia's article - Primary treatment

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