What is the typical flow rate for a standard small wastewater treatment plant?

The typical flow rate for a standard small wastewater treatment plant generally falls within the range of 1 to 5 million gallons per day (MGD). This classification is based on the design capacity that meets the needs of smaller communities or specific industrial applications, which do not require the extensive infrastructure or capacity of larger treatment plants.

A facility with a flow rate in this range is often designed to effectively treat the sewage generated by a population of approximately 5,000 to 20,000 people, depending on factors such as usage patterns and industrial discharges. This smaller scale allows for more straightforward operational management, reduced cost of construction and maintenance, and adequate treatment efficiency for the volume of wastewater being processed.

In contrast, the higher flow rate options correspond to larger treatment facilities servicing more significant populations or industrial demands, which necessitate more complex and larger-scale systems. Understanding these distinctions helps in selecting the appropriate treatment technology and scale based on the specific needs of the community or industry served.