Sewage Parameters 4 Part 1: Phosphorus (P)

Hey again,

Continuing on from Population Equivalent (PE) the next parameter is Phosphorus (P)  The reason that Phosphorus is often a focused on in wastewater effluent is that it is an essential mineral in the growth of algae and other biological organisms along with Nitrogen.

Therefore releasing high Phosphorus levels into a water course can result in an algae bloom and the growth of other noxious organisms, which can lead to significant depletion of oxygen and thus a fish kill and the death of other organisms.  Phosphate levels in waste water are normally stipulated in terms of Total Phosphate/Phosphorus or in terms of Orthophosphate (Orthophosphorus).  Orthophosphates are immediately available for biological metabolism without further breakdown and are therefore the most important polluting form of Phosphorus.  Typical Total Phosphorus values in wastewater are between 4 – 15 mg/l, with final effluent values in the region of 0.5 – 5 mg/l for Total Phosphorus increasingly being specified.  BMS are currently working on two innovative solutions to reduce Phosphorus in sewage without having reverting to chemical dosing.

Next up is methods of reducing Phosphorus in wastewater.

If you have any questions of would like information on package wastewater treatment products, please do not hesitate to contact me.

A bit about the company:

Butler Manufacturing Services is a family owned specialist manufacturer of package (all in one) products for sewage treatment and surface water treatment established in 1986 with exports to 38+ countries worldwide including the world leading Blivet package sewage treatment plant, a ‘one stop shop’ for all surface water products from design to installation including attenuation, interceptors, holding tanks (incl. chemical resistant), hydrobrakes, rainwater harvesting tanks/filters & vortex silt separators, chlorine contact tanks, fully fitted pump stations and pumps, our 'all in one' vehicle wash water recycling system with zero discharge and much more.If there is a requirement for any of above on any project that you are working on we would welcome the opportunity to work on a solution with you.© Butler Manufacturing Services 2013.