Waste Water Treatment

• Why is dealing with waste water important?

  To prevent pollution of the natural environment
• What does waste water treatment ensure?

  Safe, clean water for use
• What are some sources of waste water?

  Domestic and agricultural systems
• What activities at home use water?

  Bathing, toilet use, washing up
• What happens to water when you flush it down the drain?

  It goes into the sewers for treatment
• What do agricultural systems produce that contributes to waste water?

  Nutrient runoff from fields
• What must sewage from domestic sources be treated for?

  To remove harmful materials
• What is the consequence of untreated sewage?

  It can pollute natural water sources
• What is a common method for treating waste water?

  Biological digestion
• What happens to solid waste during sewage treatment?

  It sinks to the bottom of the tank
• How does the treatment of waste water help the environment?

  It reduces pollution and health risks
• What is the role of sedimentation in waste water treatment?

  To allow heavier solids to settle
• What is the final step in waste water treatment?

  Releasing treated water into the environment
• What are the stages of sewage treatment?

  1. Screening: Remove large debris
  2. Sedimentation: Allow solids to settle
  3. Biological treatment: Decompose organic matter
  4. Filtration: Remove remaining impurities
  5. Disinfection: Kill pathogens before release
• What is the impact of industrial processes on waste water?

  They produce significant amounts of waste water
• What can industrial waste water contain?

  Harmful chemicals and organic matter
• Why must organic matter in industrial waste water be treated?

  To prevent environmental contamination
• What happens if waste water is not treated properly?

  It leads to pollution and health risks
• What is the purpose of biological digestion in waste water treatment?

  To break down organic materials
• How does sedimentation contribute to waste water treatment?

  It allows solids to settle at the bottom
• What is the consequence of releasing untreated waste water?

  It pollutes natural water sources
• What is the role of disinfection in waste water treatment?

  To kill harmful pathogens before release
• How does waste water treatment protect public health?

  By removing harmful substances from water
• What is the first step in treating sewage?

  Screening to remove large debris
• Why is it important to treat agricultural waste water?

  To prevent nutrient runoff into water bodies
• What is the relationship between waste water treatment and environmental health?

  Effective treatment reduces pollution and health risks
• What happens to suspended solids in a treatment tank?

  They sink to the bottom
• What is produced while suspended solids sink in a treatment tank?

  Sludge
• What is the role of the effluent in a treatment tank?

  It floats on the top
• How is the effluent in the treatment tank managed?

  It is removed and treated biologically
• What process encourages aerobic bacteria to break down organic matter in the treatment tank?

  Air is pumped through the water
• What is the purpose of anaerobic digestion in waste treatment?

  To break down organic matter without oxygen
• What is released during anaerobic digestion of organic matter?

  Methane gas
• How can methane gas produced in anaerobic digestion be utilized?

  As an energy source
• What can the remaining digested waste be used for after anaerobic digestion?

  As a fertilizer
• What additional treatment may be needed for wastewater containing toxic substances?

  Chemical treatment
• What is one method of treating wastewater with toxic substances?

  Adding chemicals to precipitate metals
• What is the role of UV radiation in wastewater treatment?

  To disinfect the water
• How does sewage treatment differ from treating fresh water?

  Sewage treatment requires more processes
• What is a potential alternative to treating fresh water in areas with limited resources?

  Using sewage treatment systems