Raw wastewater is first routed through mechanical bar screens to remove large debris, followed by grit chambers to separate sand and gravel that can damage downstream equipment. Flow equalization basins smooth out surges, protecting biological stages from overload. In primary sedimentation tanks, suspended solids settle under gravity, reducing BOD by up to 30%.

In the aeration tanks, microorganisms digest dissolved organic matter in the presence of oxygen. This activated sludge process is maintained with controlled aeration—typically via surface aerators or diffused air grids—optimized using DO sensors and return activated sludge (RAS) systems to regulate biomass. F:M ratios (food-to-microorganism) and sludge retention time (SRT) are carefully balanced for treatment efficiency.

To ensure effluent compliance, the study incorporates Lachat Flow Injection Analyzers for real-time monitoring of total nitrogen, ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate concentrations. These devices enable automated high-throughput nutrient profiling, critical for process control and environmental reporting, especially when implementing biological nutrient removal (BNR) or chemical dosing strategies (e.g., alum for phosphorus precipitation).