Wastewater is considered a water usage because it is interconnected with nearly all of the other uses of water. Water used by residential properties, industries, and businesses needs to be treated before it is released back into the environment. That’s where water treatment systems come into play to ensure proper wastewater treatment.
Nature can cope with small amounts of water waste and overall pollution, but it wouldn’t be able to sustain itself if billions of gallons of wastewater and sewage weren’t treated before being released back into the environment. Wastewater includes substances like food scraps, oils, soaps, chemicals, and even human waste. This water comes from sinks, showers, bathtubs, toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, and other appliances.
Since the water that is released back into the environment needs to be pure and healthy, oil and water separators are needed. By the year 2020, nearly half of the assets inside wastewater facilities will likely be beyond the midpoint of their useful lives, which is typically assumed to be about 100 years. So updated wastewater treatment systems and methods will need to be utilized at the national and international level.
If wastewater isn’t properly treated by oil and water separators and other treatment systems, the following will likely occur:
- Decaying organic matter and debris will use up the dissolved oxygen in bodies of water, causing fish and other aquatic biota to die.
- Excessive nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus will cause over-fertilization in receiving waters, which can reduce oxygen, harm spawning grounds, alter habitats, and be toxic to certain species.
- Bacteria, viruses, and disease-causing pathogens will pollute beaches and contaminate underwater populations.
- Metals like cadmium, chromium, mercury, and lead will have hazardous toxic effects on various species.
- Other substances like personal care and pharmaceutical care products will oppose threats to aquatic life, wildlife, and human health.
If you want to learn more about the importance of proper wastewater treatment systems and purchase an oil and water separator or other water treatment products, give Process Engineered Water Equipment a call right away.
