What is typically removed during the tertiary treatment process?

The tertiary treatment process in wastewater treatment focuses on advanced treatment methods that go beyond primary and secondary treatments. While primary treatment typically eliminates large debris and sediments, and secondary treatment mainly targets organic pollutants, tertiary treatment is designed to remove pathogens and dissolved substances, which includes both organic and inorganic compounds.

This stage may involve processes such as filtration, nutrient removal, and advanced chemical treatment. It aims to produce effluent that is safe for discharge into the environment or for reuse. Because pathogens can pose significant health risks and dissolved substances can contribute to water quality issues, their removal is a key objective of tertiary treatment. Therefore, the correct choice reflects the comprehensive nature of the tertiary treatment's goal to enhance the quality of wastewater before it is released back into natural water bodies or reused.