Wastes from the Preservation of Wood

Waste water from a wood preservation process is highly contaminated; however, the volume of contaminants is relatively small. The isolated location of many of these plants has prevented the recognition of their contribution to stream pollution. As these plants become a part of urban areas, it is necessary that the waste streams be controlled. Information is presented that should be useful as a guide in designing waste treatment facilities at similar wood preservation plants. The waste contains toxicants, but it is ameniable to biological treatment. Four species of Pseudomas bacteria were isolated from the biological culture. Chemical flocculation, chlorination, and chemical flocculation coupled with chlorination significantly reduced the COD of the waste.