WASTEWATER STORY
Wastewater is the term used for water that has been utilized in various activities and has picked up contaminants, making it unfit for reuse without treatment. It includes water that has been used for domestic purposes such as washing dishes, bathing, flushing toilets, and doing laundry. Additionally, wastewater comes from industrial processes where water is used for cooling, cleaning, or as a solvent. Stormwater runoff, which is water from rain or melting snow that flows over streets and into drains, also contributes to wastewater. This water carries a mixture of impurities, including organic materials (like food waste and human excreta), inorganic substances (like salts and metals), nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorus), and pathogens (such as bacteria and viruses).
Sewage is a subset of wastewater that specifically refers to water released from residential, commercial, and industrial establishments after use. This includes water flushed from toilets, used in showers and sinks, and runoff from industrial sites. Sewage typically contains a variety of pollutants such as organic waste (faeces, urine, food scraps), inorganic substances (chemicals, metals), and disease-causing microorganisms. Effective management of sewage is crucial to prevent environmental contamination and protect public health.
Sewage treatment is a multi-stage process aimed at cleaning wastewater to make it safe for discharge into the environment or for reuse. This process involves:
1.Physical Treatment: Removing large objects and suspended solids through screening and sedimentation.
2.Chemical Treatment: Using chemicals to precipitate and remove contaminants.