What method is commonly used to remove metals from wastewater?

The commonly used method to remove metals from wastewater is through the use of chemicals. Chemical treatment processes often involve the addition of specific reagents that precipitate the metals in the form of solid particles, allowing them to be removed from the water. This chemical precipitation can include processes such as coagulation and flocculation, where chemicals help bind metal ions together so they can be more easily filtered out.

In addition, chemical methods can involve advanced techniques such as ion exchange or solvent extraction, which are designed to selectively target and remove metal ions from the wastewater. These methods are effective in reducing metal concentrations to meet regulatory standards before the water is released back into the environment or reused.

Other methods mentioned, like mechanical dewatering or screening, primarily focus on physical separation processes and do not effectively target dissolved metal ions. Equalization is a process used to stabilize wastewater flow and composition but does not actively remove metals from the wastewater stream.