The wastewater treatment plant is designed to treat typical household, biodegradable commercial and biodegradable industrial wastes. Commercial and industrial facilities may, however, discharge toxic pollutants that the treatment plant is neither designed for nor able to remove. These toxic pollutants may pass through the treatment plant untreated or interfere with the treatment process resulting in a discharge of raw, untreated sewage.
Pretreatment literally refers to the reduction, elimination, or the alteration of the nature of the toxic pollutants in the wastewater prior to discharge to the wastewater treatment plant. The City of Anderson Pretreatment section is staffed by three fulltime employees, but also utilizes the assistance of members of all sections of the Water Pollution Control Utility.
Through monitoring, inspecting, and a continuing relationship with the industrial and commercial community, the Pretreatment section is able to help protect the wastewater treatment plant and in turn the White River ecosystem.
The Pretreatment section along with other members of the Water Pollution Control Utility also responds to spills that might enter the sewer system or into waters of the state. Spills often contain toxic pollutants that the wastewater treatment plant cannot treat and can have adverse effects on the wastewater treatment plant and in turn the River. The City of Anderson Water Pollution Control Utility has the ability to absorb, dike, or divert a spill to prevent it from entering waters of the state or the sewer system. Upon entering the sewer system a spill can be isolated and removed so as to prevent it from entering the wastewater treatment plant.