It is estimated that about 80% of the water that flows into our homes flows out as wastewater. With the dwindling natural resources, clean water is among the most valuable commodities we have. Although two-thirds of the globe is covered in water, only about 3% is fresh water. Wastewater management and recycling enable us to maintain nature’s balance and limit the depletion and destruction of freshwater bodies in our society.
Wastewater management is a water resource protection process that includes the collection, treatment and reuse of water. These processes remove contaminants from wastewater before recycling or returning the safe effluent to the natural water cycle for reuse.
Comprehensive wastewater management encompasses domestic, commercial and industrial wastewater. Each source of wastewater carries unique components and hazards to the environment and society. This article highlights three consequences of improper wastewater treatment. Read on if you would like to know more about wastewater management.
Contamination of freshwater sources
Untreated wastewater generally finds its way into rivers, the sea and other surface water bodies. In addition, it can contaminate underground water reserves. Poor wastewater treatment creates the risk of contaminating the limited freshwater resources available across the globe.
Basic processes such as industrial filtration and sludge dewatering significantly reduce the contaminants present in wastewater coming from industries and urban centres. Regulatory authorities require large industries to restore the natural quality of water before disposal into the environment. Urban centres use controlled wastewater management facilities to treat contaminated water before disposal or recycling.
Poor wastewater management can also lead to the depletion of freshwater sources. Recycling wastewater reduces the demand for fresh water sources and gives them time to replenish their reserves. Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation have significantly increased the demand for freshwater. Since the percentage of freshwater sources in the world is not rising, wastewater treatment and recycling are readily available methods to mitigate the growing demand.
Spread of waterborne diseases
The spread of unpleasant diseases such as typhoid, cholera, diarrhoea and others are interlinked with poor wastewater management. In addition, untreated wastewater creates breeding grounds for bacteria, fungi and several disease-causing pathogens.
You can contract waterborne diseases or parasites directly if your skin is exposed to infested water or if you drink untreated water. You can also contract diseases if you eat uncooked food, rinsed or washed with untreated wastewater. These waterborne pathogens can also cause diseases in your livestock and pets.
Boiling water and ensuring your food is well cooked are the best ways to protect yourself from waterborne diseases. However, treating wastewater reduces the chances of pathogens contaminating your drinking or irrigation water.
Foul odours and pest infestation
One of the direct consequences of untreated wastewater is the generation of foul odours. These odours are related to the decomposition of organic matter and the production of waste gases such as methane. The decomposition of organic matter attracts pests such as flies and rats. Pest infestation and consistent foul odours can reduce the quality of life and property value in the surrounding areas.
To sum up, it can be difficult to tackle largescale wastewater management challenges. Yet, several small scale solutions can help mitigate the problem. Installing industrial filtration systems and commercial sludge dewatering machinery can limit the contaminants in wastewater at the source. This approach reduces the workload and can enhance the efficiency of municipal wastewater treatment facilities.
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