Why Your Effluent Treatment Plant Isn’t Performing as Expected

Implementing an effluent treatment system in your industrial facility is a big investment, and that’s why it is essential that it works thoroughly and meets the desired expectations. An appropriate implementation provides your process with a plethora of benefits; however, sometimes, certain challenges arise with respect to the performance.

If your facility already has an effluent treatment plant or you are planning to implement one, then this article is for you. In this article, we will go through the common problems with these effluent water treatment process systems and the best ways to avoid them.

Why does your Effluent Treatment Plant Experience Issues?

The foremost reason why industrial effluent treatment plants experience issues is their complexity. There are many mechanical, electrical, and biological processes working in harmony for an effective treatment of wastewater. However, even if a single component fails during operations, the entire system gets compromised.

Here are the major issues that affect your Effluent water treatment plant:

Application of Reverse Osmosis:

There are various applications of reverse osmosis, such as:

1. Blockages:

Blockages are a major problem that affects sewage treatment plants. Whenever some inappropriate items enter the system or excessive solids build up in the pipes or chambers, it results in blockages. The consequences are reduced efficiency and, sometimes, even complete system failure.

There are many blockages that result from items that get flushed but shouldn’t be, such as wet wipes, sanitary products, nappies, and cooking fats. These items don’t entirely break your system, but cause significant obstructions within the system.

These solids accumulate over time, especially when desludging hasn’t been performed regularly. The accumulation will gradually restrict the flow of the system and place strain on pumps, eventually leading to backups into your property.

2. Pump Failures:

In the effluent treatment plants, pumps play the role of workhorses. They are responsible for the complete movement of wastewater through different stages of treatment. A failure in pumps will grind the entire treatment process to a halt, leading to system backups and potential overflow.

Pump failures can arise due to the following reasons:

Mechanical Wear and Tear: The moving parts of pumps degrade due to wear and tear over time. Regular servicing will help you determine worn components to replace/repair before they fail completely.
Foreign Objects: Items that shouldn’t be in the system can damage pump impellers or cause jams.
Electrical Issues: Power surges, faulty wiring, or problems in the control panel can also prevent pumps from working correctly.
Improper Sizing: A pump that is too small for the system will constantly struggle to keep up with demand, resulting in premature failure.

The implications of pump failure can be severe, ranging from sewage backing up into homes to environmental damage if untreated wastewater exceeds the system.

3. Electrical Issues:

Today’s modern effluent treatment plants are heavily dependent on electrical components for proper functioning. If there are any electrical problems in the system, these problems will impact everything from pumps and blowers to monitoring systems and alarms.

Some of the most common issues are:

Power Outages: If your effluent treatment plant is located in a remote location or rural areas, then it may experience occasional power cuts that can interrupt treatment processes.
Control Panel Faults: The brains of the system can develop issues with timers, sensors, or circuit boards.
Wiring Problems: Exposure to damp or moist conditions will lead to the degradation of wiring over time.
Time Malfunctions: Systems that operate on timed cycles may fail if these components become faulty.

4. Overloading:

The effluent treatment plants are designed to handle a specific volume of wastewater. When a system receives more flow than its capacity, its performance is degraded. Overloading may result from the following reasons:

Higher Occupancy: Adding more residents to a property without upgrading the existing treatment plant.
Rainwater Ingress: Surface water enters the system during heavy rainfall.
Groundwater Infiltration: Cracked pipes allow surrounding groundwater to seep in.

Overloading results in poor treatment of wastewater, system backups, and excessive wear on components as they struggle to process the additional flow.

5. Biological Problems:

There are multiple biological processes within sewage treatment plants that break down waste. These biological processes are heavily dependent on beneficial bacteria to digest organic matter. When this bacterial balance is disrupted, treatment also gets affected.

The common causes of biological issues are:

Harsh Chemicals: Cleaning products, antibiotics, and other chemicals flushed into the system can kill beneficial bacteria.
Temperature Extremes: Harsh weather conditions, particularly freezing temperatures, result in slow bacterial activity.
Oxygen Deficiency: If air pumps or diffusers fail, bacteria may not get an adequate amount of oxygen to function properly.
Inconsistent Usage: If there is a long hiatus between the usage of systems, then they may suffer bacterial die-off.

Some of the common biological problems include foul odours, poor quality effluent, and improper breakdown of sludge.

How to Identify Effluent Treatment Plant Issues at an Early Stage?

Early identification of effluent treatment plant issues will help you save money and also prevent environmental damage. Here are the major warning signs of a malfunctioning effluent treatment plant:

Warning Indicator	Potential Cause	Recommended Step(s):
Unpleasant Odour	Biological imbalance or blockage	Check ventilation and arrange inspection
Gurgling sounds from drains	Partial blockage or pump issues	Reduce water usage and contact specialists
Slow-draining fixtures	System backup or blockage	Arrange a professional assessment
Standing water around the tank	Leaks, overflows, or groundwater issues	Immediate professional inspection
Alarm activation	Various serious issues	Follow manufacturer guidance and call experts
Unusually lush grass over the drainage field	Effluent leakage or poor treatment	System inspection required
Higher electricity bills	Pump running continuously	Check for pump or float switch issues

What should you do when facing Effluent Treatment Plant Problems?

If you are facing any of the above-mentioned problems in your effluent treatment plant, then taking the right action quickly will help prevent escalation and minimize disruption.

Here are some steps that you can take on your own:

Check Power Supply: Ensure that the system is receiving electricity without any hiccups and with no tripping of circuit breakers.
Visual Inspection: A visual inspection should be carried out to identify any obvious signs of damage, leaks, or unusual conditions around the plant.
Reduce Water Usage: In case of overloading, you must minimize the water temporarily. It will help in preventing the overflow while awaiting professional help.
Check Alarm Panels: Modern Systems often display error codes that can help diagnose problems.
Check Recent Changes: Check if the operations team has made any changes in the system recently that might affect the system.

Should you reach out to professionals?

Yes, if you are not able to diagnose and fix the issue through DIY. Though you can fix minor issues on your own, most effluent treatment plant problems require professional attention. You must reach out to professionals if:

Alarms are not giving proper indications, as these are serious systems requiring prompt attention.
If there is a backup of sewage, it can cause health hazards quickly.
Overflow conditions that are clearly visible will lead to environmental contamination.
Electrical issues that can put safety in jeopardy and require qualified electricians.
Persistent issues suggest underlying issues requiring expert diagnosis.

Why choose Wipro Water?

At Wipro Water, our specialists have all the required equipment for diagnosing issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Our professionals understand all the complexities associated with effluent treatment plant operation and maintenance.

We provide long-term fixes for all of its maintenance procedures along with comprehensive support for any problems or issues that are identified. You can be confident that our carefully designed services for the plant will continuously fulfill both the regulatory standard and the demands of nature, whether it is through performance enhancement of the plant or the replacement of outdated components.