During primary treatment at a municipal wastewater treatment facility, wastewater enters the treatment plant and flows through:

During primary treatment at a municipal wastewater treatment facility, the wastewater is first processed through bar screens. Bar screens are designed to remove large solids and debris from the wastewater, such as sticks, leaves, plastic, and other foreign materials. By screening out these larger items, the bar screens help prevent clogging and damage to subsequent treatment processes and equipment.

The use of bar screens is vital because it allows for a more efficient handling of the water as it flows through the treatment facility, ensuring that the finer treatment processes can operate effectively. Without the initial removal of larger particles, the risk of mechanical failure increases, and treatment efficiency may decrease.

After passing through the bar screens, the wastewater typically moves on to other processes, such as sedimentation or biological treatment, but the removal of large solids is a crucial first step to protect the infrastructure and enhance further treatment stages.