An effluent treatment plant uses physical, chemical, and biological processes to alter wastewater properties and remove toxins, producing effluent that can be safely discharged or reused. Common treatment steps include pre-treatment to remove solids, primary treatment using sedimentation to remove sludge and oils, secondary biological treatment using microbes, tertiary treatment to remove additional contaminants, and disinfection to reduce pathogens before discharge. The document provides an overview of an effluent treatment plant's purpose and various treatment processes.