How waste water is treated If you live in the city, waste water that leaves your house may pass through up to three types of treatment.
Primary treatment removes the solid material in settlement tanks.
Secondary treatment removes organic material through biological means in aeration tanks. In some municipalities, water undergoes tertiary chemical treatment to help remove phosphates and kill most disease-causing bacteria. The benefits of water conservation are evident even in the treatment process. Less waste water flowing through treatment plants means that costly new treatment capacity can be put on hold. And that eases the tax burden on your pocketbook.