What does a comminutor do?

A comminutor is a device used in wastewater treatment systems specifically designed to reduce solids into smaller particle sizes. This process is essential for facilitating the downstream treatment of sewage by breaking down larger solid materials, which can help prevent clogs and improve the efficiency of the treatment process.

By transforming larger solids into smaller particles, the comminutor ensures that these materials can be more easily handled by subsequent treatment processes, such as screening and biological treatment. This reduction in size is critical for maintaining the operational integrity of pumps and other equipment in the system.

The other options refer to different functions within a wastewater treatment facility. Heating sewage for treatment involves processes that may precede or accompany treatment but is not the role of a comminutor. Monitoring tank levels is typically the responsibility of other instruments or protocols in a treatment system. Transferring sewage to the treatment facility refers to the movement of sewage itself, which would involve pumps or primary conveyance systems rather than the comminution process. Therefore, the primary purpose of the comminutor is accurately described by the correct answer, which highlights its role in reducing the size of solids.