Carbon-Reduced Effluent

The organic matter in wastewater (that is, food) is digested by carbon-eating microorganisms whose activities are speeded up by the introduction of plenty of oxygen. When food becomes available, the bacteria feed, grow, and divide repeatedly to produce millions more of their kind, and they continue to do so until the food is used up. Much of the organic matter is broken down and converted to carbon dioxide, water, and new cell tissue, but a few less biodegradable compounds remain, leaving the water a bit murky or cloudy. After settling out large particles, this effluent may be discharged into waterways that have adequate flow to assimilate the remaining pollutants or used for irrigation in areas where there is no public access. Disinfection is normally done before discharge.