What treatment stage follows primary treatment in wastewater management?

The stage that follows primary treatment in wastewater management is secondary treatment. This step is crucial as it focuses on the biological processes that further reduce the concentration of suspended solids, organic matter, and nutrients that remain after primary treatment.

During secondary treatment, microorganisms are employed to break down biodegradable organic matter in the wastewater. This is often achieved through methods such as activated sludge systems, trickling filters, or biofilm reactors. The objective here is to enhance the removal of contaminants that are not effectively eliminated during the primary phase, thereby significantly improving the overall quality of the effluent before it is discharged or subjected to further treatment.

Primary treatment primarily involves physical processes such as sedimentation and screening, while secondary treatment depends on biological processes, making it a crucial subsequent step in effective wastewater treatment. Following secondary treatment, tertiary treatment would then occur, which aims to further refine the wastewater quality by removing remaining pollutants and pathogens, thus preparing it for discharge or reuse.