What does primary treatment aim to accomplish in wastewater treatment?

Primary treatment in wastewater treatment primarily focuses on the physical separation of solids from liquids. The goal is to remove large solids and particulate matter that can settle to the bottom or float to the surface. This is accomplished through processes like sedimentation, where heavier solids settle out of the wastewater, and flotation, where lighter materials are skimmed off the surface. By effectively separating these materials, primary treatment reduces the overall load on the subsequent treatment processes, allowing for more efficient secondary treatment.

Understanding the role of primary treatment in this context is important. While other methods and treatments play critical roles—such as biological treatments for further breaking down organic material—none of them aim to specifically isolate and remove solids and debris as the primary objective does.