What is the primary goal of municipal wastewater treatment?

The primary goal of municipal wastewater treatment is to remove contaminants from sewage and wastewater. This process is essential for protecting public health and the environment. Wastewater is composed of various harmful substances, including pathogens, nutrients, organic matter, and toxic chemicals. Treating this wastewater effectively reduces these pollutants to safe levels before it is discharged into the environment or reused.

The treatment systems are designed with specific techniques and processes such as physical, biological, and chemical methods, all aimed at separating and reducing harmful materials. This not only ensures clean water is returned to natural water bodies but also helps in achieving compliance with regulatory standards for water quality.

While minimizing operational costs, increasing the volume of wastewater treated, and regulating stormwater runoff are important considerations in the broader context of wastewater management, they are secondary objectives. The foremost goal remains the protection of water quality through the removal of contaminants.