What Happens to Wastewater When it Leaves Your Business?
Businesses across various industries produce wastewater as part of their operations. This can include everything from food and beverage manufacturing to the automotive, pharmaceuticals, and hospitality sectors. With such a diverse range of sources, the composition and volume of wastewater generated varies greatly. Business owners are expected to understand how their operations produce and manage wastewater and are responsible for its proper disposal. The incorrect handling of wastewater can lead to environmental issues and regulatory consequences.
This blog post will explore what happens to industrial wastewater after it leaves your business, the different types of wastewater, the regulations governing its disposal, and the solutions available to help businesses manage their wastewater effectively.
What happens to industrial wastewater?
When wastewater leaves a business, it usually undergoes a series of treatment processes before it can be reused or released back into the environment. Hospitality businesses often use an onsite treatment plant, which is a self-contained system that treats the wastewater generated by the business.
Alternatively, the wastewater may travel through pipes away from the business premises to an off-site treatment plant. This is usually a large, centralised facility designed to process and purify wastewater collected from multiple sources, including not only businesses but residential areas and industrial sites, too.
The industrial wastewater treatment process at an offsite plant then proceeds through the following stages:
- Pre-treatment: This initial stage involves the removal of large solids and debris that can otherwise damage equipment or interfere with subsequent treatment processes. Methods such as screening and sedimentation are commonly used.
- Primary treatment: During this phase, wastewater is left in large sedimentation tanks. This allows heavier solids to settle at the bottom while lighter materials, such as oil and grease, float to the surface. The solids collected from this process are often referred to as sludge.
- Secondary treatment: This stage involves biological treatment, where microorganisms are introduced to break down organic matter in the wastewater. This can be done through various processes, such as activated sludge systems or trickling filters.
- Tertiary treatment: The final stage of treatment aims to remove any remaining contaminants, including nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Techniques such as filtration, disinfection, and advanced oxidation processes may be employed.
- Discharge or reuse: Once treated, the wastewater can either be discharged into water bodies or reused for purposes such as irrigation or industrial processes. The water may even be potable if it is subjected to the highest standards of treatment and meets minimum levels of quality.
If businesses are treating wastewater with onsite tanks, they may only carry out the first few stages of this process themselves. Often, if they need to treat the wastewater to a higher standard, they will have it collected by waste management professionals for further treatment.
What types of wastewater are there?
The types of wastewater produced by a business largely depend on the nature of its operations. Below are the main categories of industrial wastewater:
- Process water: This is used directly in manufacturing processes, such as cooling, washing, and chemical reactions. It often contains chemicals, metals, and other contaminants specific to the industry.
- Cooling water: Used to remove excess heat from machinery or products, cooling water may pick up contaminants from the materials it comes into contact with, such as heavy metals or oils.
- Sanitary wastewater: Includes surface water from precipitation on industrial surfaces, potentially carrying pollutants, and greywater which includes wastewater from sinks and showers. Foul water contains organic and chemical waste, including sewage, while black water specifically refers to human waste from toilets.
- Stormwater runoff: While not generated directly by business activities, stormwater can carry pollutants like oils, chemicals, and debris from the business premises into nearby water bodies.
- Leachate: This is produced when water percolates through waste materials and picks up dissolved or suspended contaminants. It is common in industries dealing with solid waste or landfills.
Understanding the types of wastewater your business produces is essential, as it dictates the treatment required and the regulations you must follow.
What regulations should be followed for wastewater disposal?
In the UK, businesses are required to follow strict regulations on wastewater disposal to prevent environmental damage. These regulations are enforced by agencies such as the Environment Agency in England, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
- Environmental Permitting Regulations (2016): Businesses must obtain permits for discharging wastewater into water bodies or onto land. The permits specify the maximum allowable levels of contaminants and the conditions under which discharge can occur.
- Water Resources Act (1991): This act regulates water pollution and requires businesses to comply with discharge consents that limit the types and amounts of pollutants they can release.
- Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations (1994): These regulations focus on the treatment of domestic wastewater and certain industrial wastewater before it is discharged to protect public health and the environment.
- Trade effluent consents: Businesses discharging wastewater into the public sewer system must have a trade effluent consent. This agreement with the water company outlines the nature and volume of effluent that can be discharged.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines, legal action and reputational damage. Businesses are therefore encouraged to adopt solutions to wastewater management that help them remain within legal boundaries.
What solutions can businesses use for managing their wastewater?
Effective wastewater management requires a combination of strategies tailored to the specific needs of each business. Universal Tankers offers a range of services to support this and enable businesses to manage their liquid waste responsibly and efficiently.
On-site treatment systems
Installing on-site treatment facilities, such as anaerobic digesters or membrane bioreactors, can be a practical solution for businesses generating large volumes of wastewater. These systems allow for safe discharge or reuse on-site and reduce reliance on external facilities. Universal Tankers supports this by offering regular maintenance and sludge removal services that help on-site systems to operate effectively in compliance with the relevant regulations.
Pre-treatment solutions
For businesses discharging into the public sewer system, pre-treatment is crucial to prevent blockages and meet trade effluent consent limits. Techniques such as pH adjustment, filtration, and chemical treatments are commonly used. Universal Tankers can assist with grease trap emptying, a key pre-treatment measure for hospitality businesses. Regular maintenance of grease traps prevents FOG (fats, oils, and grease) build-up, which can cause sewer blockages and disrupt business operations.
Wastewater recycling and reuse
Recycling technologies, such as reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration, enable businesses to reuse treated wastewater for non-potable purposes like cooling, cleaning, or irrigation. The advantages of this are twofold, as it reduces waste and fresh water consumption at the same time. Universal Tankers provides comprehensive liquid waste collection services, helping businesses to reduce organic waste and improve the efficiency of their wastewater systems.
Outsourcing wastewater management
For businesses lacking the resources to manage their wastewater on-site, outsourcing to a specialist like Universal Tankers is the most viable option. Our liquid waste disposal services offer a seamless solution that covers everything from initial assessment and compliance advice to the collection, treatment and disposal of non-hazardous waste. This approach keeps businesses within legal guidelines while maintaining operational efficiency.
Regular monitoring and maintenance
Keeping treatment systems in good working order is crucial for effective wastewater management. Regular monitoring and maintenance help to prevent unexpected failures and costly repairs. Universal Tankers provides tailored service plans for regular grease trap emptying, sludge removal, and other maintenance services. This proactive approach allows businesses to exceed environmental regulations and ensures their systems are functioning efficiently.
With over 30 years of experience, Universal Tankers offers a reliable, comprehensive solution for managing liquid waste to help businesses maintain compliance and minimise their environmental impact. Whether you need support with on-site treatment or want to outsource all of your wastewater management needs, Universal Tankers has the expertise and resources to help.
Contact Us
If you would like to find out more information on how our waste management and disposal services can help, get in touch by calling 0800 180 4474 (England and Wales) or 01236 444322 (Scotland), or fill out the contact form on this page to arrange a time for us to call you back.
