Wastewater Treatment
Commercial wastewater treatment is a crucial process for industries and businesses, ensuring that discharge is safe for reuse, or for release into the environment.
Industries produce wastewater laden with pollutants such as chemicals, oils, heavy metals, and organic matter. If untreated, these pollutants can cause serious harm to the environment, contaminating soil, water bodies, and ecosystems. Additionally, untreated wastewater can pose health risks to the community by contaminating drinking water sources. Regulatory bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) impose stringent guidelines for businesses, mandating the treatment of wastewater to acceptable levels before it can be discharged.
Wastewater treatment plays a key role in reducing a business’s environmental footprint and in demonstrating corporate responsibility. Many companies now prioritize wastewater management as part of their sustainability efforts. Treated wastewater can also be reused for non-potable applications like irrigation, cooling systems, or industrial processes, reducing the demand for fresh water.
Contrary to the name, Freshwater Systems also treat wastewater and sewage with customised options to suit commercial and industrial clients. With extensive experience in the water treatment industry, Freshwater Systems provides custom fabricated and designed plants, with unparalleled attention to detail.
Key Components of Freshwater Systems Wastewater Treatment
The Freshwater team of technicians and engineers offers a wide range of knowledge in both industrial and municipal wastewater treatment and are well versed in primary (solids removal), secondary (bacterial decomposition) and tertiary (additional filtration) treatment:
Primary Treatment
This step involves the removal of larger solids and debris from the wastewater. Mechanical processes such as screening, sedimentation, and clarification are used to settle suspended solids and remove floating material, such as grease or oil, from the water.
Secondary Treatment
In this phase, biological processes are employed to break down organic matter present in the wastewater. Microorganisms are introduced into the wastewater to consume and decompose organic pollutants. Techniques like activated sludge systems, trickling filters, and aerobic treatment units are often used.
Tertiary Treatment
This advanced level of treatment focuses on removing specific contaminants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals that can remain after secondary treatment. Chemical processes, such as chlorination or ozone treatment, and physical methods, such as membrane filtration, are often utilized.
Sludge Treatment and Disposal
The solids and sludge generated during the wastewater treatment process need to be properly treated and disposed of. This can involve processes like anaerobic digestion, dewatering, and incineration.
Specialized treatment technologies like screen & disc filters, grease arrestors/traps, oil-water separators, settling tanks, dissolved air flotation, membrane bioreactors and chemical neutralization systems are commonly integrated to address these unique challenges. Tailored solutions ensure compliance with regulatory standards and reduce operational risks.
Adherence to Regulations
During our discovery process, we work hand-in-hand with client to understand factors affecting the system design, including:
- Required flow rates (minimum and maximum)
- Environmental regulations, guidelines and limits
- Potential reuse, recycling, disposal methods and pathways
Our wastewater treatment plants cater for specific requirements, complying with discharge limits and environmental regulations. We cater for reuse and recycling. If reuse is not planned, we design to adhere to discharge limits, assessing whether enhanced nutrient removal processes will need to be employed.
Custom Solutions for Different Industries
The nature and composition of wastewater can vary significantly depending on the type of business.
Given these variations, Freshwater Systems commercial wastewater team work with client to understand their business, then customized to meet the specific water and wastewater treatment needs. Freshwater systems have experience across varied industries, such as:
- Major national sporting arenas
- Major national hospitals
- Airports
- Casinos and entertainment
- Shopping centres and food courts
- Prisons and correctional facilities
- Food and meat processing
Contact our specialist team of engineers to discuss your waste water requirements. We offer unbiased advice and support and are happy to answer questions.
Contact Us
