Wastewater Treatment Plant vs Sewage Treatment Plant: Understanding the Key Differences

Introduction: Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) vs Sewage Treatment Plant (STP)

When it comes to the treatment of wastewater and sewage, a distinction is clearly made between two important facilities: Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) and Sewage Treatment Plants (STP). Although these two concepts are commonly confounded there is a key difference between them and the technologies used to that aim is essential towards a sustainable environment and an efficient garbage management.

Simply put, STPs process only domestic sewage - waste water which is predominantly released from homes - while WWTPs Treat a wide range of effluents including industrial, agricultural and stormwater run-off. In this post, we will discuss more about the differences between WWTPs and STPs, new technologies, success stories, and how companies such as Amalgam Biotech are transforming the way we look at water treatment through the use of their integrated technologies.

Source of Wastewater

Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs): STPs, as the name suggests, are used to treat sewage, which mainly includes domestic origin waste. This is every sort of waste coming from toilets, sinks, showers, and home drains.

Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) STPs: STPs treat more diversified wastewater than WWTPs. Such discharge includes industrial effluent, and agricultural, commercial and street runoff. It is also generally more complicated to treat, requiring higher level treatments, because of all the other “stuff” in there.

Type of Contaminants

STPs: Major sewage pollutants include organic solids, pathogens (bacteria, viruses, etc.), and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

WWTPs: WWTPs often handle a more diverse range of pollutants, including other CECs (e.g. heavy metals, chemicals, oils, and complex organics originating from industrial operations, agriculture, or stormwater runoff) as well as organic solids and pathogens.

Treatment Focus

Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs): STPs primary purpose is to lower Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) or any other organic pollutant content of water and to remove pathogens, which could be a public health concern.

Treatment Plants Wastewater (WWTPs): WWTPs treat waste more generally, for removing pollutants, breaking down poisonous compounds and treating specific pollutants like oil and heavy metals. They also have to guarantee industrial waste is in accordance with the rules for discharges.

Examples of Plants in Pune

Sewage treatment plant- Kothrud STP : The Pune based plant employs an Activated Sludge Process (ASP) for treating 60 MLD sewage, which reduces the organic load and pathogens. Company Name: Kothrud STPPlace: PuneType: SewageTreatment Capacity: 60 MLDTreatment Plant Type:  Grey water treatment plant : Not only sewage but grey water can also be treated in STPs.

(NOEA) wastewater treatment plant (Ranjangoan WWTP): This plant treats 20 MLD wastewater generated from electronics industry and is located in the proximity of Pune. It employs electrocoagulation technique for treating certain chemical contaminants which are found in industrial effluent.

New Technologies for STPs and WWTPs

STPs as well as WWTPs are under continuous development, and new technologies are being implemented for treatment enhancement and minimization.

STPs-Technologies

Aerobic Granular Sludge Technology: This leading-edge treatment technology occupies 50% less space than conventional systems. It helps increase effect of biological treatment process by the granular sludge production.

Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs): Utilising biological treatment and membrane filtration, MBRs can produce high-quality effluent that can be re-used for a variety of uses such as industrial use or irrigation.

Enabling Technologies in WWTPs

Ceramic membranes: These are increasingly used in WWTPs, particularly in the treatment of corrosive industrial waste water. They have great mechanical durability, and can withstand substantial use and abuse, wear and tear, and most chemicals, even for electronics manufacturing, and especially for food and beverage.

Electrocoagulation: At its core, electrocoagulation employs electrical currents to eliminate heavy metals and other harmful materials, making it a sound choice for treating industrial wastewater, including the electronics industry wastewater.

Hybrid systems: Why Amalgam Biotech is The Answer

To address mixed use zones such as IT parks and residential complexes, Amalgam Biotech provides the HYBRIDTECH® systems wherein both STP and WWTP technologies are integrated for maximum treatment benefits. These units are designed to treat standard domestic and industrial wastewater flows with a minimum of environmental impact in mind.

Future Trends in Wastewater Treatment

With the acceleration of sustainable and resource efficient solutions worldwide, the development paths of our future wastewater treatment are characterized by several trends.

Pathogen-to-Energy Conversion

New innovations, typical to STPs are being developed to recover methane which is generated by the degradation of fecal matter bacteria within sanitary landfills and convert it to biogas that is a source of energy. The system also contributes to environmental efficiency and energy saving.

Industrial Pre-Treatment Mandates

Due to more and more stringent environmental legislation many industrial sectors are obliged to pre-treat their waste water before they discharge it into the municipal sewer systems or natural surface waters. This has led to WWTPs being considered as obligatory process in industries generating wastewater with high toxicity and risk.

Smart Network Integration

Trending Wastewater treatment is among the many applications in which the Internet of things (IoT) technology is gaining prominence. Intelligent networks make it possible to monitor and control STP and WWTP installations from remote, with real-time data on operations in order to enable more-informed decision-making and more-efficient energy usage. AquaNet OS from Amalgam Biotech is at the forefront of this convergence and helps in efficacious monitoring and management of a city’s wastewater assets.

Relevant Case Studies

Following are a few of the case studies by Amalgam Biotech, and it how applies new technologies for its Wastewater treatment.

Misting Odor Neutralization: Here Amalgam Biotech utilizes the misting odor neutralization technology to address odour problems related to ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, purifying the ambient air in factories.

Lake Bioremediation Using Hyper-Oxygenation Reactor: Hyper-oxygenation technology for lakes is crucial in remodeling contaminated lakes. This is essential for maintaining a healthy ecology.

Pharma Wastewater Treatment for COD and BOD Removal: Amalgam Biotech provides Pharma wastewater solutions for the removal of pollution-causing elements such as chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand, ensuring they operate within environmentally friendly policies.

Hotel STP for Fat, Oil, and Grease Degradation: Amalgam Biotech utilizes STP technology to degrade fats, oils, and greases constituents commonly found in hotel wastewater.

Hazardous Waste Odor Removal: The technology is essential for eliminating hazardous waste odor. Without the proper measures to neutralize the odors, the environment around the hazardous waste is unbearable, thus not safe or comfortable for the workers and residents. 

Conclusion

The selection between Wastewater Treatment Plant and Sewage Treatment Plant either be STP highly relies on the type of composition treatment wastage and reuse objectives in this essay. STP is more focused on domestic sewage, while WWTP is more of industrial, agricultural, and commercial wastewater treatment plants and . Treatment technologies have developed rapidly, enhancing the treatment process, sustainable and in line with the regulation required. It is evident that Amalgam Biotech is at the forefront of technology providers to ensure that the client benefits from the best services.

For proper arrangements and know about wastewater treatment, visit Amalgam Biotech for easy contact.