What is the goal of tertiary treatment in a POTW?

The goal of tertiary treatment in a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) primarily focuses on further improving the quality of effluent after secondary treatment. This phase of treatment often involves additional processes that enhance the removal of specific contaminants and aim to meet the stringent performance requirements set by regulatory agencies such as the EPA.

Tertiary treatment processes can include advanced filtration, biological nutrient removal, and disinfection, which are designed to target pollutants that may not be fully eliminated during the secondary treatment. By achieving compliance with EPA's performance requirements, the treated water can then be safely discharged into water bodies, used for irrigation, or even recycled for various purposes. The importance of meeting these guidelines ensures the protection of public health and environmental quality.

While disinfection is part of the tertiary process, it does not encompass the entirety of the objective, as tertiary treatment also focuses on nutrient removal and other contaminants. Similarly, removing hydrocarbons and adjusting pH levels may be necessary steps in certain cases but do not represent the overarching goal of tertiary treatment as a whole.