In septic systems and wastewater treatment plants, chemical and biological balance are necessary for sewage to be broken down safely and effectively. Contained wastewater treatment systems are critical components of our infrastructure. If these systems are damaged in any way, they can result in dangerous sewage exposure to communities, farmland, drinking water, and many other parts of a populated area. Wastewater systems can be damaged by storms, earthquakes, fires, and other disasters. If wastewater systems leak raw sewage, it can lead to dangerous biohazards like bacteria, parasites, and viruses being present in our normally safe spaces. ServiceMaster Professional Cleaning and Restoration offers complete sewage cleanup in Coatesville, PA and surrounding areas in the event that any wastewater treatment centers are damaged.
Sewage Cleanup
Because wastewater processing requires such a specific balance of biological materials, treatment center operators use several microorganisms called protozoa to control bacteria levels. Bacteria are necessary for the removal of nutrients in wastewater so those materials can be broken down, which is why expert sewage cleanup is so important when raw waste is leaked into our environment. However, those bacteria levels need to be balanced using different protozoa.
Protozoa are single-celled organisms that are slightly larger and more complicated than bacteria. They control bacteria populations and provide important data to wastewater treatment center monitors. Some of the most common protozoa present in wastewater treatment include:
Amoeba:
These protozoa either need a high level of nutrients or a low level of competition to thrive. They can indicate to treatment center operators if there is a high concentration of particulate matter, toxic conditions, or a low level of dissolved oxygen in the wastewater.
Flagellates:
These organisms have a poor ability to compete with bacteria for soluble nutrients, which means they are only present in newer wastewater that hasn’t had the chance for bacteria to grow significantly. They also indicate wastewater with a high ratio of soluble nutrients to mass.
Ciliates:
This type of protozoa does not consume organic materials. Instead, they eat bacteria, making them a key part of bacteria population control throughout the breakdown process. Ciliates are a clarifying agent in wastewater treatment, balancing the microbial ecosystem.
All three of these protozoa can also determine the age of the wastewater, meaning how long it has been in the decomposition process.
Sewage Cleanup can be Hazardous
While these organisms are an important part of the wastewater treatment system, their presence outside of a treatment facility can mean hazardous conditions for humans. Wastewater contains multiple biohazards, and without proper cleanup, it can negatively affect our health.
To learn more about our services for sewage cleanup in Coatesville, PA, contact ServiceMaster Professional Cleaning and Restoration today at (610) 524-8003 to reach our main office in Exton, PA.