What is the appropriate action for backwash water in water treatment?

The appropriate action for backwash water in water treatment is to return it to the plant head. This practice allows the water to undergo further treatment processes, which can help remove residual particles and contaminants that may have been dislodged during the backwashing of filters. By returning the backwash water to the plant head, it ensures that it is reprocessed and fits within the treatment cycle, thus maintaining the overall quality and efficiency of the water treatment system.

In contrast, discharging backwash water to waste may lead to unnecessary loss of water resources and could also lead to regulatory concerns, as it could be considered non-compliant if the water is not treated before being released. Sending it back to the reservoir can lead to contamination issues, as the reservoir is typically intended for finished water storage, not for treatment. Utilizing backwash water for irrigation might seem beneficial, but it could pose health risks or environmental impacts because the backwash may contain undesirable contaminants that are unsuitable for crops or local ecosystems. Therefore, returning it to the plant head is the most effective and responsible approach in water treatment processes.