What Are the Treatments for High Potassium Waste Water?

There are things in the water people can't seen that often lead to illness and even death. Potassium in waste water is one element that must be monitored and reduced when found. There are only two major ways that this process can be completed: reverse osmosis and the use of special oxidants.

Reverse Osmosis

• Potassium can be removed from waste water by reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis is achieved through the use of a membrane that allows some penetration of water. These membranes contain tiny pores through which water flows. The pores restrict certain organic compounds, such as potassium, from coming through. However, one major downside of using reverse osmosis to treat water is that while the process does keep large materials like salt from water, dangerous chemicals like pesticides can come through these tiny pores.

Potassium Permanganate

• Potassium permanganate is an oxidant used in industrial waste water situations. The Environmental Protection Agency states that this oxidant is used to inactivate bacteria and viruses. Potassium permanganate is used in drinking water treatment and is also used frequently in iron and manganese oxidation. According to the EPA, Potassium Permanganate is added to water early on in the treatment process at the raw water intake in order to increase its contact time with water. The oxidant is practically useless when added after the filtration process, as it requires time to do its work.

Reasons for Potassium Removal

• Although potassium is a dietary requirement for all people, too much potassium can be harmful. High doses can interfere with nerve impulses, can affect heart function, and induce nausea. Potassium can be lethal at extremely high levels in water. Potassium also has environmental effects. It plays a role in plant growth and is necessary for plant life, but excess potassium can actually limit plant growth when too much is taken in during a short period of time.