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Abstract
Advanced treatment of highly polluted domestic and industrial wastewater has become a vital necessity. Not only is the environment endangered by an uncontrolled discharge of effluents, the availability of fresh water is also at stake. Advanced wastewater systems are primarily concerned with the conservation of the aqueous environment and, as such, should ensure that the natural biological balance is not excessively disturbed. In many instances, this requires costly unit operations, and the final effluent consequently becomes too expensive to be wasted. Reuse of the treated wastewater, whether for industrial, agricultural, or domestic purposes, often constitutes an economically attractive alternative, especially when the natural fresh water supplies are limited. This article reviews and discusses the unit processes employed in advanced systems. Special attention is focused on the removal of nitrogen and phosphates, both by biological and physical‐chemical means, as this is one of the processes distinguishing advanced wastewater treatment (A.W.T.) plants from the conventional systems. Other subjects dealt with include clarification, active carbon adsorption, chemical processing, and disinfection. The current trends in wastewater treatment practice are identified, while the article is concluded by a description of several successful A.W.T. plants around the world.
Notes
Presently associated with Consolidated Glass Works Ltd., Germiston, South Africa.
