In wastewater treatment, the number one tool available for ensuring the wastewater systems are running effectively is a bench test. Bench testing is used to verify chemicals needed to remove contaminants, check chemical dosing, determine correct pH ranges, and determine the amount of solids that can be produced from the treatment process.
Manufacturing facilities who treat wastewater for discharge have either a NPDES discharge permit or a Pretreatment Permit. These permits outline what the facility is allowed to discharge in the wastewater effluent. Bench testing helps determine if the wastewater treatment system can meet the discharge requirements outlined in the discharge permits. (Information for these permits can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations title 40, Chapter I, Subchapter N, Part 400.)
When setting up for a bench test, have clear goals for treatment established before the test begins. The goals may be to ensure the wastewater is treated to below the permitted discharge numbers for the contaminants of concern, or to reduce sludge production by a certain percentage. There can be a variety of wastewater goals to look at when bench testing.
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