Exploring Common Pollutants in Wastewater: Understanding Their Origins and Impact

24 Oct 2024 | Family

Every industry produces wastewater, but it’s what remains in that water when it reaches the environment that is the major concern. In particular, industrial operations such as manufacturing and food processing must treat wastewater carefully and follow strict disposal guidelines. This is to prevent unnecessary damage to the environment, primarily. However, the contaminants in wastewater also pose public health risks, making it crucial for companies to implement liquid waste management policies.

Fortunately, with professional wastewater treatment systems in place, companies can recycle wastewater for reuse, while ensuring all contaminants are disposed of properly. Many of these systems also significantly reduce the cost of waste disposal. In this article, we’ll explore some of the common pollutants found in wastewater and their impacts.

Organic Pollutants in Wastewater

Some of the most common pollutants found in wastewater are organic. You might think organic material should be fine to release into the environment, but that’s not always the case. Some of these contaminants include oils, greases, fats, and other organic solids. They can enter wastewater through a range of industrial processes such as food production, oil refining, and chemical manufacturing.

Organic pollutants such as these can cause significant damage to aquatic water ecosystems, which is why wastewater treatment is so essential. They can reduce the oxygen levels in the water, which often leads to “dead zones”. A dead zone is essentially an area where aquatic life struggles to grow and survive. Needless to say, if wastewater contaminated with organic pollutants reaches lakes, rivers and oceans, it can have an extremely harmful effect on their biodiversity.

Heavy Metals

There are so many industrial manufacturing environments that lead to wastewater being contaminated by metals. Whether it’s mining, metal processing, automotive or electronics manufacturing, the risks are everywhere. Metals like lead and mercury are often found in wastewater and can be highly toxic. This often occurs because tiny metal particles become mixed with wastewater. Without efficient wastewater filter media to remove these particles, heavy metals can find their way into the environment,

Essentially, metals remain in the environment for a long time because they aren’t organic and won’t break down. Over time, this affects wildlife, local ecosystems and even the food chain. As such, the environmental and public health risks are significant.

Nutrient Pollution in Wastewater

In the agricultural sector, the use of fertilisers is common. However, this often leads to too much nitrogen and phosphorous being found in agricultural runoff. This is known as nutrient pollution, or its more technical term, eutrophication. Basically, it means there are too many nutrients in the water which can lead to an overgrowth of algae. When this algae takes over, it essentially creates a dead zone similar to the ones we discussed in the organic pollutants section.

Food processing operations are also a leading source of nutrient pollution in wastewater, highlighting the need for wastewater filtration systems in industry. Whether agricultural or industrial, there are a range of solutions available that even allow for the recycling of treated wastewater for irrigation, wash-downs and other non-potable applications.

Microplastics

Plastic recycling has been a big issue for decades now, however, the use of plastics in manufacturing shows no signs of slowing down. Whether it’s personal care products, synthetic clothing or even food packaging, the manufacturing of these items can lead to contaminated wastewater.

The term ‘microplastics’ refers to small particles that can be difficult to remove without the right types of wastewater filter media. Needless to say, when plastic reaches bodies of water it can be consumed by marine animals. This is obviously terrible for the animals, but microplastics are just as bad for humans. Wastewater contaminated with microplastics affects our entire food chain.

Pharmaceutical Products and Materials

Medical advancements are great for humanity, but not necessarily good for the planet. Pharmaceutical manufacturing provides us with vital medicine, but products like antibiotics and painkillers are essentially chemicals. As are cosmetics and other personal care products.

Pharmaceuticals may be safe for human consumption (at recommended levels), but they are harmful to other biological systems. On a smaller scale, improper disposal is a major issue, such as flushing things down toilets. However, at the manufacturing level, companies must implement treatment systems to ensure these chemicals don’t reach the environment through wastewater. Again, anything that affects marine or other wildlife can have a significant effect on our food chain.

Other Industrial Chemicals

Australia has a diverse range of industries, which is something we should be proud of. However, this also increases the risk of environmental damage through industrial processes. So many industrial chemicals can find their way into wastewater, such as solvents, dyes, detergents, and other synthetic materials.

These chemicals have an adverse effect on aquatic ecosystems, as we’ve discussed above with the various other pollutants found in wastewater. From the health of marine life and surrounding ecosystems that rely on our oceans and rivers to the potential risks to our food chain, there are numerous reasons to consider wastewater filtration systems in industry.

Need help with wastewater filtration?

No matter what industry you work in, you can save money by implementing professional wastewater treatment systems. Interfil is your leading expert when it comes to wastewater filtration, liquid waste management and wastewater filter media. We have customisable products and systems to save you money while also reducing your carbon footprint. From centrifuges to sludge dewatering systems, we can tailor a system that delivers tangible savings and benefits. Contact our team today to find out more.

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