What indicates poor performance at a wastewater treatment plant?

High levels of TSS (Total Suspended Solids) and BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) are indicative of poor performance at a wastewater treatment plant because they reflect an excess of pollutants in the treated water. TSS measures the amount of solid particles suspended in the water, and high levels suggest that the treatment process is not effectively removing solids. Similarly, BOD measures the amount of organic matter in water. Elevated BOD levels mean that there is a higher concentration of biodegradable material, which can signify inadequate treatment and pose risks to the environment once the effluent is discharged.

In contrast, low levels of TSS and BOD would indicate effective treatment processes, while stable odor levels imply that there are no significant issues with the treatment process regarding odor management. Additionally, consistent operational efficiency suggests that the plant is running well and processing wastewater effectively, which is not a sign of poor performance. Thus, high TSS and BOD levels serve as key indicators of potential problems within the treatment processes.