What is the main purpose of the sedimentation process in wastewater treatment?

The main purpose of the sedimentation process in wastewater treatment is to separate solid materials from liquid materials. During sedimentation, wastewater is allowed to stand in a basin or tank where heavy solids settle to the bottom due to gravity. This process effectively removes a significant portion of suspended solids, thereby clarifying the liquid portion of the wastewater.

Separating the solids is crucial for the treatment process as it reduces the load on subsequent treatment steps, such as biological treatment, and helps in preventing operational issues in downstream processes. The settled solids can then be removed for further processing, contributing to overall wastewater treatment objectives of reducing pollutants and protecting the environment.