Sources of Wastewater
Wastewater generally comes from two major sources:
Domestic & Municipal Wastewater – From households, restaurants, and urban areas.
Industrial Wastewater – From factories, manufacturing plants, and hazardous chemical processes.
Water is essential for all living things—humans, animals, and plants. However, wastewater pollution is increasing due to urban and industrial activities, making wastewater treatment a global priority for reducing water pollution effectively.
But how is wastewater treated? What methods are used? And how does it benefit the environment and living organisms? Let’s explore the key aspects of wastewater management.
Wastewater refers to water contaminated with pollutants such as chemicals, organic matter, fats, detergents, and industrial waste, altering its properties and making it unsuitable for reuse.
A wastewater treatment system is a process designed to remove contaminants from wastewater—both from communities and industries—improving water quality before it is released into the environment.
Prevents environmental damage – Protects natural water sources from pollution.
Reduces health risks – Minimizes the spread of waterborne diseases.
Controls bad odors – Prevents foul smells caused by untreated wastewater.
Supports sustainability – Treated water can be reused in agriculture, industry, and other applications.
After treatment, wastewater is discharged into public water bodies or reused for various purposes. In Thailand, wastewater treatment facilities operate under the supervision of the Pollution Control Department, with 202 treatment plants across the country.
Wastewater treatment is divided into three essential stages to ensure the water meets quality standards:
This initial stage removes large solid particles and floating debris from wastewater using mechanical processes:
Screening – Uses coarse and fine screens to filter out large objects like plastic, leaves, and rags.
Grit Removal – A sedimentation tank traps sand, gravel, and heavy particles.
Primary Settling Tank – Allows solids to settle at the bottom, while oils and grease float to the surface for removal.
Efficiency: Removes 50-70% of suspended solids, preparing the water for further treatment.
This stage removes organic matter from wastewater using microorganisms in a controlled environment.
Aerobic Treatment – Bacteria break down organic pollutants with oxygen (e.g., Activated Sludge, Trickling Filters).
Anaerobic Treatment – Bacteria degrade waste without oxygen, producing biogas as a byproduct.
Final Settling Tank – Separates the microorganisms from treated water before disinfection.
Outcome: Reduces biological contaminants significantly, improving water quality.
The final step removes difficult-to-treat pollutants for reuse or safe discharge into natural water bodies.
Filtration – Removes remaining suspended solids.
Chemical Treatment – Uses coagulants to eliminate dissolved contaminants.
Disinfection – Uses chlorination, ozone, or UV light to kill harmful pathogens.
Result: Produces high-quality treated water safe for reuse in industry, agriculture, or discharge into nature.
This process removes solid waste from wastewater using mechanical means.
Screening – Filters out large debris like paper, plastic, and food waste.
Grit Chambers – Removes sand, gravel, and small solids that settle quickly.
Oil & Grease Traps – Separates fats, oils, and grease from wastewater.
Sedimentation Tanks – Allows heavier particles to settle at the bottom.
Purpose: Reduces solid waste content before biological or chemical treatment.
This method uses chemical reactions to neutralize pollutants and separate contaminants. It is useful for wastewater containing:
Common Chemical Processes
Purpose: Ensures wastewater is safe for biological treatment or direct disposal.
This method uses microorganisms to break down organic pollutants in wastewater. These microorganisms consume carbon-based compounds, nitrogen, and phosphorus, converting them into harmless byproducts.
Types of Microorganisms Used:
One More Link Co., Ltd. provides professional wastewater treatment services for: Oil-contaminated wastewater Coolant liquids Cleaning water from oil-based workpieces Used oil Wastewater contaminated with chemicals & heavy metals Certified with ISO 9001 & 14001
Our company operates with international standards, ensuring legal compliance, transparency, and accountability in every step of the process.