Apparatus for treating water

A tubular member for use in an apparatus for treating water the tubular member defining:

• an inlet or first open end into which a flow of waste water may be directed in use;
• a main outlet at a second end distal from the inlet:
• a serpentine portion having at least one bend, and preferably plurality of bends which extends away from the inlet;
• a junction portion where the tubular member defines a change in direction and a further aperture or outlet;
• wherein the main exit of the tubular member is defined in a portion of the tubular member which extends generally perpendicularly to the Serpentine portion.

A method for treating water, in particular for removing surfactants from waste water, using an apparatus comprising:

• a vessel, defining an inlet for receiving waste water, and an outlet for the exit of water, following treatment;
• and
• through the inlet tends to exit the tubular member at the lower open end, and foam formed in the water by the air bubbles travels up the tubular member to the upper exit, which, in use, is located above the water in the vessel;
• recirculating water from the outlet via the venturi to inject more air into the water and passing the aerated water back into the vessel via the inlet for a period of time;
• and allowing foam to exit the vessel via the upper exit.