Final answer:
Enhanced primary treatment in wastewater treatment refers to improved methods of solid and BOD removal in the clarification process. Through the addition of chemicals like coagulants and flocculants, it aggregates fine particles to facilitate their removal, thus improving the efficiency of the overall wastewater treatment process and reducing the environmental impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enhanced primary treatment of wastewater involves extensive solid removal in the primary phase of wastewater treatment before it undergoes secondary treatment. The primary treatment includes processes such as sedimentation or flotation to separate organic solids, fats, and grease. The goal is to improve the removal efficiency of solids and BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), which represents the amount of oxygen that bacteria will consume to break down the organic matter present in the wastewater.
In the context of the clarification process, enhanced primary treatment can involve the addition of chemicals, such as coagulants and flocculants, that help to aggregate fine particles into larger ones that can settle out more easily or be floated to the top for removal. This additional step improves the effectiveness of solid separation and reduces the BOD by removing more of the organic matter that would otherwise be decomposed by bacteria in the secondary treatment stage. The result is a reduction in the load on the secondary treatment process, leading to improved overall treatment efficiency and better-quality effluent suitable for discharge or further treatment in the tertiary phase.
The purpose of such enhancement is to increase the efficiency of the wastewater treatment plant by reducing the concentration of suspended solids and BOD, ultimately helping to protect aquatic ecosystems from the negative effects of excessive nutrients and organic matter release.