Since we live, work and play so close to water, harmful bacteria have to be removed to make water safe. Epic September flooding around Atlanta, Georgia. An overflowing sewer on Riverside Road, Roswell, Georgia. Likely this is a storm sewer, designed to carry stormwater runoff off of streets, that cannot handle the volume of runoff.
In older sections of Atlanta there are combined sewer systems that are sewers that are designed to collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. These overflows, called combined sewer overflows CSOs contain not only stormwater but also untreated human and industrial waste, toxic materials, and debris. They are a major water pollution concern for the approximately cities in the U. If wastewater is not properly treated, then the environment and human health can be negatively impacted.
These impacts can include harm to fish and wildlife populations, oxygen depletion, beach closures and other restrictions on recreational water use, restrictions on fish and shellfish harvesting and contamination of drinking water. Environment Canada provides some examples of pollutants that can be found in wastewater and the potentially harmful effects these substances can have on ecosystems and human health:.
The major aim of wastewater treatment is to remove as much of the suspended solids as possible before the remaining water, called effluent, is discharged back to the environment. As solid material decays, it uses up oxygen, which is needed by the plants and animals living in the water. This treatment also involves aerating stirring up the wastewater, to put oxygen back in. Secondary treatment removes more than 90 percent of suspended solids.
Learn more about the wastewater treatment process and the uses of reclaimed wastewater. Water is everywhere, which is fortunate for all of humanity, as water is essential for life. Even though water is not always available in the needed quantity and quality for all people everywhere, people have learned to get and use water for all of their water needs, from drinking, cleaning, irrigating crops, producing electricity, and for just having fun.
How about a refreshing cup of reclaimed wastewater? No, we're kidding. You probably don't drink much reclaimed wastewater although some people do - see below! But reclaimed wastewater has many uses, with more promise of usage in the future. Skip to main content. Search Search. Water Science School. Wastewater Treatment Water Use. Water Use Information by Topic Learn more.
Water Quality Information by Topic Learn more. Below are other science topics associated with wastewater treatment water use. Date published: August 30, Most of the water that is used in homes and businesses is put into either municipal sewers or home septic systems.
Most of that water is polluted to some extent, because it comes from clothes washing, bathing, and toilets. In earlier times, sewage was put directly into the ground, into rivers, or into the ocean, without any treatment. As population has grown, however, the need for wastewater treatment has increased as well. Home septic systems consist of a large underground tank, where anaerobic bacteria those that do not need oxygen gradually break down most of the solids.
The remaining liquid waste flows out into what is called a leach field, where the water flows out from porous underground pipes into the ground.
This water still contains pollutants and harmful microorganisms. Some of these are removed as the water flows through soil and rock, but in many places they reach groundwater supplies and add to problems of water pollution. Municipal sewage is treated in special wastewater treatment plants.
There are several common methods of treatment. Also, the level of treatment varies greatly. Skip to main content. K-5 GeoSource. PDF version.
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