IWE_SSR_15.1.19

Characteristics of Industrial Wastewater
Odor:
o Usually caused by gases produced by decomposition of
organic salts
Color:
o Color is a qualitative characteristic that can be used to
assess the general condition of wastewater
o Wastewater that is light brown in color is less than 6 h
old
o a light-to- medium grey color is characteristic of
wastewaters that have undergone some degree of
decomposition or that have been in the collection
system for some time
o If the color is dark grey or black, the wastewater is
typically septic, having undergone extensive bacterial
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decomposition under anaerobic conditions