We produce a great deal of wastewater. That used water contains food materials, soap, oil, and other chemicals. This wastewater cannot be left untreated as it can harm the environment, animals, and humans.
The Need for Wastewater Treatment
Nature can handle a small amount of wastewater. For example, if a pan of water that was used for washing was thrown into the ground, that would evaporate soon. The problem starts when there is a huge amount of wastewater. Nature cannot handle that as easily, and of course, industries and homes use up a great deal of water.
Also, wastewater is not just the water used in homes but storm runoff as well. This water can mix with chemicals in the roof and the air, which can harm rivers and lakes, so it is ideal if that can be treated as well.
Wastewater Pollutants
Wastewater is ideally treated in a plant. Most of the pollutants are going to be removed in the plant, and harmfull microorganisms will be killed. Sometimes, especially in rural areas where there is no wastewater treatment plant nearby, septic tanks are used. These systems can be used for removing most of the harmful materials found in wastewater.
Septic tanks require maintenance for it to work properly. Some contractors provide septic tank cleaning in Utah and other locations to ensure proper function.
Here are some of the common pollutants that are found in wastewater:
- The decaying solid materials which are mostly food scraps. These can use up the oxygen in lakes and rivers.
- Nitrogen and phosphorus which usually come from fertilizers. These nutrients can be harmful to fish and other organisms in the water.
- Chlorine can also be harmful to fish.
- Chemicals that are used by humans can be harmful when mixed in with water in rivers and lakes.
- Pathogens that cause disease can contaminate shellfish in bodies of water.
Wastewater treatment aims to remove as many of these harmful materials from the water before it reaches the natural bodies of water. There are two stages of water treatment. The primary treatment should remove 60% of the suspended solids. The secondary treatment will then remove 90% of the solids.
Wastewater treatment is necessary to protect the environment and animals living in nature. It is also important to protect us from the harmful effects of the pollutants. When not properly cleaned, water can carry diseases that are quite deadly.
Unfortunately, many large cities around the world lack proper wastewater treatment facilities. They end up dumping their used water on rivers and the sea.
Conclusion
The modern way of living calls for using up a large amount of water every day. When that used water goes down the drain, it does not magically disappear. That water needs to be treated properly, so it does not cause harm. It helps a lot if more people are aware of the process that wastewater has to go through. That might help in convincing people to be more conscious of how they use water.
