Industrial Wastewater and Treatment Plant (EDAR)
Industrial wastewater and treatment plants (EDAR – Estación Depuradora de Aguas Residuales) refer to the collection, treatment, and controlled discharge of liquid waste generated during industrial processes. These systems are designed to remove contaminants, suspended solids, organic matter, and potentially hazardous substances before water is released into municipal sewers or natural environments. The EDAR serves as a critical infrastructure component that ensures compliance with environmental regulations while protecting water resources and public health. In Spain, industrial facilities are bound by Royal Decree 849/1986 (Public Water Domain Regulation) and European Directive 2000/60/EC (Water Framework Directive) to pre-treat effluents meeting specific parameters before discharge to municipal treatment plants or watercourses.
Practical Industrial Applications
Industrial wastewater composition varies significantly by sector. In the food and beverage industry, effluents contain organic matter, fats, oils, and proteins requiring biological treatment and coagulation-flocculation processes. Chemical manufacturing facilities produce wastewater with heavy metals, dissolved salts, and reactive compounds necessitating chemical precipitation and neutralization. Textile and dyeing operations generate effluent with dyes, surfactants, and temperature variations requiring advanced oxidation processes. Pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufacturers must handle complex organic compounds and microbiological contaminants. At Instaquim, we offer biological products for grease separators in the food industry, such as Bio treat. Companies using Instaquim products that carry the EU Ecolabel benefit from formulations that meet its biodegradability and ecotoxicity criteria.
Treatment plant design follows a sequential approach: primary treatment (screening, sedimentation), secondary biological treatment (activated sludge, lagoons), and tertiary treatment (filtration, UV disinfection, reverse osmosis) as required. Pre-treatment interventions at the industrial facility level significantly improve EDAR efficiency and reduce operational costs. Industrial facilities operating under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards implement comprehensive wastewater management protocols, including regular monitoring, documentation, and continuous improvement cycles. This is essential for maintaining compliance with increasingly stringent environmental standards and demonstrating corporate sustainability commitment.
Proper industrial wastewater management represents a dual responsibility: regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship. Facilities must establish preventive maintenance programs, staff training initiatives, and chemical supply partnerships ensuring reliable, efficient treatment. Instaquim, manufacturing since 1990 in its 4,500 m² plant in Vic (Barcelona), offers technical visits and training on site.
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