Fact sheet

Typical wastewater treatment plant flow diagram

PRELIMINARY PRIMARY SECONDARY

WATER RECYCLING
TREATMENT TREATMENT TREATMENT

ODOUR CONTROL
RETURNED
TO WATER OR
CYCLE
OCEAN EVAPORATION
PONDS

RAW SCREENING PRIMARY SECONDARY

WASTEWATER SYSTEMS SEDIMENTATION AERATION SEDIMENTATION
(SEWAGE) GRIT TANKS TANKS WATER
RECYCLED OR OR
FOR USE
INDUSTRY WATERING AGRICULTURE

Did you know that...

• Wastewater treatment plants are not generic and vary from one
location to another.
• Some plants have two separate components to the secondary
process and some have units combined into one.
SLUDGE
BIOSOLIDS TREATMENT • Some wastewater treatment plants have an odour control process
to prevent odours affecting nearby residents.
• Wastewater treatment plants work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,
to provide an important sanitation service that protects public health
and the environment.
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