The adoption of domestic wastewater treatment units has soared among Europeans in the last decade by about 20%, which is quite an extraordinary number. This shift from basic septic tanks to full-fledged sewage treatment units is not a timely trend but a result of environmental education and awareness among common citizens. People now understand their responsibility to protect and conserve their environment. In the context of water management that means having your domestic wastewater treatment unit installed at your home or office.
Engineered aerobic wastewater treatment plants have become a common choice among homeowners, since, they provide better treated wastewater quality and more control over sewage treatment overall. However, since sewage treatment plants comprise complex processes it is not very uncommon to face some problems now and then. That is why a typical homeowner should get themselves acquainted with some common issues they might face with wastewater treatment and how to fix them.
This is exactly what we will try to cover in this article.
Common issues with sewage treatment plants
Following are the five most common issues that you might face with your domestic wastewater treatment units and how to fix them.
System blockage:
System blockage can easily be the first problem a homeowner faces when they install a domestic wastewater treatment plant. Because we tend to think of wastewater like we think about tap water. But in reality, wastewater has, for the lack of a better word, sludge-like waste material in it. And it can even pick non-biodegradable solids down the lines as well. These materials may get stuck inside the treatment plant elements and disrupt wastewater flow inside the system bringing down system efficiency. They may even cause permanent damage to the system elements that will require experts’ intervention and may in severe cases, cause costly repairs to the homeowner.
Fix:
To avoid such situations, you need to ensure that
- Proper sink strainers are used wherever possible.
- Drain pipes are not damaged.
- The treatment plant’s sieves also need to be cleaned now and then.
Excessive odor:
There are a number of reasons odour may occur in your domestic wastewater treatment plant. We will discuss two of them.
- Discontinued wastewater supply: domestic wastewater is food for microbes in the wastewater treatment plant. When the wastewater flow, into the system, is discontinued that means bacteria in the system are not getting their food. When this situation persists for quite some time, the bacteria start to die off and give you a bad odour.
- Aeration system malfunctioning: the key component of a sewage treatment plant is its aeration system which provides air to microbes so they function properly and treat wastewater. When this system does not work properly, not only do microbes not perform well but they start to die causing all sorts of odour issues.
Fix:
You need to inspect your sewage treatment plant regularly and check if
- The aeration system is working properly
- The filters of your system are clean
- The system ventilation is not chocked.
System Overload:
Modern domestic wastewater treatment plants are engineered to cater specific needs of homes and businesses. They are designed to deliver optimal treatment to a certain quantity and quality of wastewater. System overload is when you introduce more wastewater into the treatment plant than the system is designed to treat. On the safer end, system efficiency is compromised leading to incomplete wastewater treatment. On the other end, system failure might occur.
Fix:
You can easily avoid system overload by considering the following:
- Consult with experts before having the system installed at your home or business.
- Always keep your water consumption in check.
- Consider upgrading your sewage treatment plant if your home or business needs have outgrown your current system’s treatment capacity.
Bacteria imbalance:
Bacteria are the backbone of an aerobic wastewater treatment plant. They should be protected to ensure the proper functioning of wastewater treatment plants. However, when we discharge harmful chemicals i.e., cleaning liquids, medications, oil & grease, etc. down the drain the bacteria are disturbed. These liquids may cause the release of toxic elements into the wastewater and cause sudden pH changes that may seriously hamper the growth and sustainability of the microbial population. This commonly results in poorly performing sewage treatment plants.
Fix:
- Prioritize the use of eco-friendly cleaning products in your homes and businesses.
- Use proper channels to dispose of hazardous chemicals.
Poor treatment:
Poor treatment is when the sewage treatment plant is not treating the wastewater properly. This can happen for several reasons. The most common include; damaged components that no longer function properly, poor or no maintenance, improper installation, etc. Not only does this kind of system not treat your wastewater properly but it also damages the environment and results in costly repairs down the timeline.
Fix:
- Have your domestic wastewater treatment plant installed by an expert.
- Ensure regular inspection and maintenance of your treatment plant.
Conclusion:
Modern-day domestic wastewater treatment plants are sophisticatedly engineered equipment. So, it becomes very easy to face issues with these plants when you have received no training about them. It is, however, relieving to know that the basic working principle of a domestic wastewater treatment plant is quite simple. It is just a matter of opting for the right service and investing in the right equipment so that you can save yourself a lot of time, stress and money.
Explore our website for wastewater treatment solutions tailored to your specific needs. Or contact us for expert guidance if you are confused about what might be the right equipment for you. The journey to a more sustainable future starts right here, from our very homes, after all.
Essential steps for maintenance of domestic wastewater treatment plant
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