What is the primary purpose of a wastewater treatment facility?

The primary purpose of a wastewater treatment facility is to treat and purify wastewater before it is discharged into the environment. This process involves several stages, including physical, biological, and chemical treatments, designed to remove contaminants and harmful substances from wastewater. By achieving this goal, treatment facilities help protect public health, safeguard aquatic ecosystems, and maintain water quality in local waterways.

While other options may touch upon related aspects of waste management, they do not encapsulate the core function of treatment facilities. Filtration of solid waste is just one step in the broader treatment process and does not represent the comprehensive nature of wastewater management. Recycling waste materials, while valuable, is not the primary focus of a wastewater treatment facility. Lastly, storing wastewater for future use is not a typical role of these facilities, as they are primarily designed to process and release treated effluent safely.