Most people don’t think about what happens after they flush a toilet or use the sink and the water drains out. Still, wastewater treatment plants are among the most critical industries in our nation, especially for environmental protection. Before these treatment solutions, some rivers and waterways in the United States were unsafe for swimming and fishing; additionally, this treatment keeps pollutants from entering the water systems residents use. We’re going to explore how water treatment solutions are keeping the planet greener and what it means for the environment and wastewater treatment plants in the future.
Why is Wastewater Treatment Necessary?
Wastewater treatment has been a necessary process since 1972, but before that, there were still certain things that people did to keep the water safe for public use. In the early days, there was a reliance on rivers and lakes for water to dilute the raw sewage, but as populations grew, this wasn’t exactly sustainable anymore. The Clean Water Act of 1972 is what changed everything and the standard for water control was built. This was started due to drastic events like the decline of Lake Erie and the 1969 Cuyahoga River fire, when Congress decided to put standards in place that would eventually be laid out in the Clean Water Act. These standards now apply to all water operations and wastewater treatment facilities to ensure that the water residents contact is clean and safe for consumption.
How Wastewater Treatment Works Today
When we look at the process of wastewater treatment today, there are a lot more complex components due to the increase in population and the overall usage of water and the pollutant types that are in it as well. Here’s a look into the steps that our current wastewater treatment system works today:
Preliminary Treatment: This stage is essentially the screening part of the treatment stages as it screens and also removed stash to protect the equipment as the water moves downstream
Grit Removal: This stage is specifically for removing sediment like sand, gravel, and other small particles
Primary Treatment: This is the sedimentation and clarification process which is the bulk of the treatment
Secondary Treatment: This stage is also known as biological treatment where microorganisms break down organic matter supported by aeration
Disinfection: Chlorine or UV light is used where required in the disinfection stage
How Does Wastewater Treatment Support Environmental Goals
Wastewater treatment supports the environment in many ways, such as providing clean water and protecting natural ecosystems. Our lakes, rivers, and coastal waters are healthy and clean because wastewater treatment plants do this work. Here’s a look into how exactly wastewater treatment supports the environment:
Healthier Rivers, Lakes, and Coastlines
Clean water isn’t just for residents; it’s also for the animals and other wildlife that use it. Treated water returns to waterways, leading to cleaner, healthier rivers, lakes, and coastlines for fish and other aquatic life. Without it, untreated sewage would deplete oxygen and harm aquatic wildlife.
Gets Rid of Harmful Bacteria
The disinfection process gets rid of pathogens and other bacteria that can cause waterborne illnesses. It can help prevent things like lake dead zones, such as those in Lake Erie and the Gulf of Mexico.
Safer for Fish, Wildlife, and Other Recreation
The wastewater treatment process helps create a safer area for fish, wildlife, and recreational activities for residents. This also reduces toxic buildup in fish, supporting safer eating and healthier ecosystems overall. This can also benefit the economy as tourism, fishing, and water activities will be available.
Protected Drinking Water
Drinking water is an important and common source of this water, but it’s not safe to drink if it’s polluted. Wastewater treatment facilities clean the water, reducing risk and supporting safer communities when it comes to water exposure and drinking.
Removes Toxins From the Ecosystem
Chemicals and heavy metals often contaminate ecosystems. Screening and grit removal help prevent trash and other debris from reaching waterways.
What Challenges Are Wastewater Treatment Plants Currently Facing
Wastewater treatment plants play a critical role, but the industry still faces challenges. One of the biggest challenges right now is emerging contaminants that plants must filter and identify. For example, PFAS, or forever chemicals, and microplastics are major concerns, and plants will need to develop systems to filter them out, especially now that they’re under the spotlight. Aging infrastructure is something many places face as well; with constant population growth, this can cause problems if it isn’t addressed. With increased natural activity, including storms and extreme weather, treatment plants have had to navigate these challenges.
What the Future Looks Like for Water Treatment Solutions
As guidelines and regulations change and the impact of water solutions grows rapidly, we can expect wastewater treatment to evolve over time. Standards will likely become much tighter and more advanced over time. Water reuse will grow rapidly as water scarcity continues to increase. Additionally, we can expect more technology to be implemented in water treatment processes, and the shift to energy-neutral or energy-positive treatment plants will continue to spread. Overall, we can expect changes that support technology implementation, stricter regulations, and energy-saving options throughout.
The Impact Wastewater Treatment Plants Have
Wastewater treatment plants do a lot for not only people, but also the planet and the environment itself. This is a huge opportunity to choose greener options and support environmental goals overall. The future of these treatment facilities will continue to shift as the focus on environmentally friendly options grows. As a facility manager, it’s important to know what to expect going forward. If you’re looking for a manufacturer that can support your greener goals, contact us today, and we’ll supply you with our top-notch equipment!