Which type of waste is primarily treated in a wastewater treatment plant?

Wastewater treatment plants are primarily designed to handle municipal wastewater, which is generated from residential, commercial, and industrial sources within a community. This type of waste includes a mixture of domestic sewage and runoff from city streets, predominantly loaded with organic materials, nutrients, and pathogens.

Municipal wastewater is treated through various processes to remove contaminants before being discharged back into the environment or reused. This treatment is essential for protecting public health and the ecosystem. Each treatment facility has processes tailored to handle the specific characteristics and volumes of wastewater it receives, making municipal wastewater the primary focus of most wastewater treatment plants.

In contrast, hazardous industrial waste is typically managed separately due to its potential toxicity and regulatory requirements. Meteorological waste is not a recognized category in traditional wastewater treatment, while agricultural runoff is often addressed through different management practices aimed at preventing pollution from fertilizers and pesticides entering water bodies.