Improper wasting is a cause of which phenomenon?

Improper wasting is closely related to the phenomenon of white billowing foam. In wastewater treatment processes, particularly in activated sludge systems, wasting refers to the removal of excess biomass or sludge from the system to maintain appropriate levels of micro-organisms for effective treatment. If this process is done improperly, there can be an accumulation of microorganisms, leading to an imbalance in the treatment system.

When excess biomass is not adequately managed or the system is overloaded with organic material and microorganisms, this can result in aeration problems. Air bubbles become trapped in the excess biomass, leading to the formation of white billowing foam on the surface of the aeration tanks. This foam can indicate that the treatment system is not operating efficiently, and it may also interfere with oxygen transfer, creating additional issues in treatment efficiency. Thus, improper wasting directly contributes to the presence of foam, signifying a problem in the biomass management of the treatment system.