Wastewater Treatment Plant Types 101

In this episode, join Dawn, AJ, and Mike of the Southwest Environmental Finance Center (SW EFC) to discuss the main types of wastewater treatment plants including their benefits, downsides, and best use cases for each plant type. The three main types of WWTPs discussed are:

• Lagoons 

- Facultative Lagoons

- Aerated Lagoons

- Anaerobic Lagoons

- Polishing Ponds

- Evaporative Lagoons

• Fixed-Film Plants 

- Trickling Filters

- Rotating Biological Contactors (RBCs)

• Suspended Growth Plants

- Activated Sludge

At the heart of each of these plant types is the kind of biological treatment used. Whether you are totally new to wastewater treatment or a seasoned operator or plant manager considering upgrades to your plant given evolving regulations and discharge permit requirements this episode is for you! 

Additional Resources:

• EFCN Podcast | Small Wastewater Systems: How Lagoons Treat Wastewater
• EFCN Blog | Seasonal Challenges, Smart Solutions: Summer Operation of Wastewater Lagoons