Wastewater Treatment and ReuseWastewater is water that has already been used, such as that from the bathtub, toilet, kitchen or sprinkler systems in your home. Businesses in your city also contribute to the amount of wastewater in the area. Once the water has been used, nature, along with the constant movement of the water, can help to eliminate some of the impurities. However, in a large city, it can be very unsanitary to simply leave the water cleaning process up to nature, due to the large population and constant use of water.
How Does Wastewater Treatment WorkDuring the wastewater treatment process, certain machines are used to remove as much solid waste material from the water as possible before it is released back into the public water system. The more solid materials there are in the water, the more oxygen the water is lacking, which means that both humans and plants will suffer. Primary treatment is done first, which eliminates about sixty percent of the solids in the wastewater, The water is also aerated during this process in order to replenish the oxygen. Following that, some ninety percent of additional suspended solids are done away with during the secondary treatment. The water is then released back into rivers and lakes so that it can be used again. Wastewater treatment has to be done in order to prevent sickness since any impurities in the water could effect the crops that grow in a certain area. There have been several instances over the last few years of people contracting food borne illnesses from plants. These illnesses are ones that are usually contracted from eating meat. Fish and other creatures that live in the nearby ponds, lakes, and rivers also rely on the wastewater treatment process for their survival. If you enjoy being in the water as a form of recreation, you will want to make sure that the wastewater treatments in your area are working to remove hazardous waste from the public pools, boating areas, and public parks. Contamination in any of these areas can spread viruses and infection, and can cause anemia and respiratory ailments in babies and young children. If you are concerned about wastewater treatment practices in your area, and want to know what you can do about it, you can visit the U.S. Department of the Interior.
How Do Wastewater Treatment Plants Work?