What is another name for primary treatment in wastewater management?

Primary treatment in wastewater management primarily focuses on the physical processes used to remove solids and reduce organic matter. The term synonymous with primary treatment is sedimentation, which describes the process where suspended solids settle to the bottom of a treatment tank, forming a sludge layer. This process includes the gravitational settling of particles as wastewater flows through the treatment facility, effectively separating the denser solids from the liquid.

In contrast, filtration refers to the removal of smaller particles from water by passing it through a medium; precipitation involves chemical processes that cause solids to form and settle out; and oxidation typically relates to biological treatment processes that rely on microorganisms to break down organic matter. Thus, sedimentation accurately captures the essence of primary treatment by highlighting the importance of settling as a fundamental step in wastewater management.