What is the main goal of tertiary treatment in wastewater processing?

The main goal of tertiary treatment in wastewater processing is to further polish the effluent. Tertiary treatment follows primary and secondary treatment processes, aimed at enhancing the quality of the effluent before it is discharged into the environment or reused. This stage often involves advanced processes such as filtration, nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus), disinfection, and other methods to eliminate remaining contaminants that were not adequately removed during earlier treatment stages.

During tertiary treatment, the focus is on achieving a higher level of purification, ensuring the water meets stringent regulatory and environmental standards. This can be critical for protecting ecosystems and human health, especially in areas where water reuse is practiced. The clarity and quality of the treated water during this phase are significantly improved, providing an essential step in comprehensive wastewater management.

The other options do not align with the primary objective of tertiary treatment. Removing large particles is typically associated with primary treatment, while initiating primary treatment again is not relevant in this context. Facilitating anaerobic digestion is part of the solids handling process and not a goal of tertiary treatment.