What is the outcome of having too little dissolved oxygen in a wastewater treatment system?

Having too little dissolved oxygen in a wastewater treatment system directly leads to poor treatment efficiency. Dissolved oxygen is crucial for the aerobic microorganisms that are responsible for breaking down organic matter in the wastewater. These microorganisms rely on oxygen to effectively metabolize the waste found in the influent. When oxygen levels are insufficient, the activity and growth rate of these bacteria are significantly hindered, leading to a decrease in the overall biological treatment process.

This inefficiency can result in inadequate removal of organic pollutants, higher concentrations of residuals in the effluent, and an overall lower quality of treated water. In essence, maintaining the right levels of dissolved oxygen is essential for optimal microbial activity and waste degradation in a treatment plant.