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Common Liquid Waste Disposal Methods

As many as 20% of facilities in some areas do not have access to proper liquid waste disposal. 

On the bright side, that number is smaller now than it has been in the past. Every year, more and more liquid waste is disposed of properly. In fact, the industry grows by almost 2% a year.

Liquid Waste

Liquid waste is any non-solid material that has either been used or has no further use. Liquid waste needs to be disposed of properly because it can contaminate water sources, plant life, and animals. There are several types of liquid waste and each one can be dealt with in a variety of ways. 

Sanitary waste is the type of liquid waste that we are all familiar with. This is human or animal waste, such as wastewater from a bathtub, toilet, or sink. This type of waste is usually comprised of water with a few organic and inorganic elements mixed in. 

Storm sewage is common after rain or other natural events. This is the waste that is forced through storm drains by flooding and heavy rain. It can contain organic matter such as twigs, branches, and mud, but also other types of liquid waste. It accumulates more waste as it flows across the ground and through drains. 

Industrial sewage is the liquid waste that is produced by manufacturing and other industrial processes. This type of waste is often rich in chemicals and heavy metals. This type of liquid waste can be dangerous to the environment and people. Industries as varied as petroleum refineries and pharmaceutical manufacturing cause industrial sewage. 

In many cases, the liquid waste disposal techniques used have to deal with mixed sewage. This is where more than one type of sewage is present. This is often the case with storm sewage, but it can also be true with industrial sewage.

Liquid Waste Disposal Techniques

To deal with this problem, there are a few liquid waste disposal techniques available. These techniques are not exclusive. More than one technique can be used to deal with each problem. Here are some of the most common liquid waste disposal techniques used by the industry. 

Dewatering

Dewatering is a technique that is used in liquid waste disposal to remove the liquid. This dries the waste and is useful for compacting the volume of waste being dealt with. Once the water is removed, all that remains is the solid waste matter which can then be disposed of safely with less chance of contamination. 

The water that is removed is often treated and returned to the environment. For this process, there are several common pieces of equipment used. The most common is a centrifuge which helps to remove solids by forcing them out of the water. The result is a loose compaction of solid waste known as “cake”.

Sedimentation

Sedimentation operates along the same principle as dewatering, but the methods to achieve sedimentation are much different. For this process, a sedimentation basin is required to slow the flow of water. Once the flow of water is slowed, the suspended particles of solid matter are easy to filter out. 

This creates a sludge-like byproduct that contains liquid and solid waste. The solid waste, after sedimentation, gathers at the bottom of the basin. It can then be disposed of or treated based on the available methods at the facility where the sedimentation takes place. 

Solidification

Solidification is a process that uses chemicals to congeal the wastewater. These binding agents turn the wastewater into a solid, making it much easier to dispose of safely. Various agents are used, including cement, to solidify and fortify the blocks of solid waste. 

Once this process is finished, the now-solid waste can be disposed of in a number of ways. These include transportation to a landfill, or even to an incinerator where the trash can be burned. Some of the electricity that you use is produced by such facilities. 

Incineration

This method involves using heat to destroy or separate the non-water waste. This process requires specialized facilities, such as multi-hearth furnaces or fluidized-bed furnaces. The popularity of this method has decreased as it often releases toxic chemicals into the air after vaporization. 

Another issue with incineration is that it is not cheap. To produce enough energy to burn off slag and other contaminants is expensive. This method is still in use, but it is used in specific circumstances and only in a few select industries. 

Composting

One of the greenest strategies used, for specific kinds of liquid waste, is composting. This method requires the reduction of water in the waste and then the addition of microorganisms. These microorganisms will then help to convert the waste matter into an organic fertilizer.

This method is so successful because waste is full of organic compounds. The most helpful of these compounds are elements like nitrogen, sodium, and other nutrients. Plants can take advantage of these residual nutrients.

Disposal

The simplest and easiest method to remain compliant with all applicable laws and regulations is disposal. In this case, liquid waste disposal is handled by putting the liquid waste into disposal barrels or bins. These can then be taken to an approved dump area and disposed of. 

Professional waste management companies often use this method. It is an important technique in liquid waste disposal because it doesn’t require an investment in additional technology, facilities, or specialized transportation.

Liquid Waste Disposal

The reason why liquid waste disposal is so important goes beyond just protecting the environment. Of course, no one wants to see chemicals or heavy metals enter the environment. However, the cost of allowing that to happen can ruin a business or reduce profits in the extreme. 

Hiring a professional waste management company to deal with the liquid waste disposal needs you have is a cost-effective solution to the problem. The professional waste management company will take care of removal, transportation, and disposal of the liquid waste in question. 

If you have any questions or concerns, On Call Services & Rentals is here to help you. We can set up liquid waste disposal for your venture, whether it is a business or an event. No matter what your needs are, we are here to help. Contact us for more information.