How are bacteria used in wastewater treatment?

Bacteria are used in wastewater treatment to break down organic waste materials into simpler, harmless substances.

In the process of wastewater treatment, bacteria play a crucial role in the biological treatment stage. This stage is also known as the secondary treatment stage. The primary treatment stage involves the physical removal of large solids from the wastewater. After this, the wastewater is moved to the secondary treatment stage where bacteria come into play.

The bacteria used in this process are known as 'good' bacteria or 'beneficial' bacteria. They are naturally occurring and are not harmful to humans. These bacteria feed on the organic waste materials present in the wastewater, such as human waste, food scraps, fats, oils and soaps. As they consume these materials, they break them down into simpler substances, mainly water, carbon dioxide and other inorganic compounds. This process is known as biodegradation.

There are two main types of bacteria used in wastewater treatment: aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Aerobic bacteria require oxygen to survive and are used in aeration tanks where air is pumped into the wastewater to encourage bacterial growth. These bacteria break down the organic waste into carbon dioxide, water and energy. On the other hand, anaerobic bacteria do not require oxygen and are used in anaerobic digesters. They break down the waste into methane, carbon dioxide and other by-products.

The use of bacteria in wastewater treatment is a natural and effective way to clean our water. It is also a sustainable method as it reduces the amount of waste that ends up in our environment and the methane produced can be used as a source of renewable energy. However, it is important to monitor and control the conditions of the treatment process to ensure the bacteria can work effectively.