Before water can be used by countless homes and businesses around the world, it needs to go through a treatment program to ensure that it is, in fact, safe for them to use. The wastewater treatment process might not be familiar to you, but it’s how you get clean water to your home every day.
But what is wastewater and why is it so important that we treat it? Here’s a short guide to help you understand both of those things.
What is wastewater?
Simply put, wastewater is water that has already been used. So when you flush the toilet or drain the bathtub, you’re getting rid of wastewater that you’ve used. But your home isn’t the only source of wastewater, either. In fact, runoff from storms is considered wastewater as well. That’s because rainwater can carry chemicals and other harmful substances from roadways into the sewage system, which in turn means that those chemicals could end up in someone’s home if not treated properly.
Why is wastewater treated?
Treating wastewater is not just a matter of securing clean water for your home; it’s a measure that helps protect all walks of life.
Fisheries
Any animals or plants that thrive in the water require clean, fresh environments to survive in. This is particularly important for fisheries, which provide food to countless households and supermarkets. Clean water is also important to the leisure and sport fishing communities.
Aquatic Wildlife
According to U.S. EPA estimates, approximately 1.2 trillion gallons of untreated wastewater is dumped into U.S. water sources every year. Not only is that an issue for humans, it’s an issue for the wildlife living in these areas. From the ocean to the great lakes, entire ecosystems depend on clean water. When treated wastewater isn’t available, problems start piling up.
Health Concerns
Advanced wastewater treatment methods exist for a multitude of reasons, but one of the most important is to prevent health issues that could stem from ingesting untreated water. Water can carry harmful diseases and bacteria, which means it needs to be thoroughly cleaned before it’s used in homes and businesses.
The wastewater treatment process is an important one, and Organica Water believes it can be improved upon. For the sake of wildlife and humanity, clean water matters.
