Hello, Hello, Hello and Welcome back to “Let’s Explore the future with Me”. Yes it’s been a long time and Guess what ? I am already in my last semester of Uni. Sad =( but exciting truth =D.
As you can see from the headlines itself, today’s topic’s gonna be around SHITWATER but don’t worry guys the info that I will be sharing ain’t gonna be shit but instead will blow your mind.
If this is your first visit to my blog, this platform has been created as part of my unit to talk about some very interesting and challenging engineering/environmental topics. So I am very happy that you are here today.
Let’s not wait a second and Get started.
**Human Beings Face an Existential Threat of Their Own Making!!!!!**
See this clean bottle of water there? You know where that came from? If not then this is the correct platform for you to discover some very interesting info about H20 to be more precise WASTEWATER.
You say that like it’s dirty =O
So what is Wastewater and what is made up of and why is wastewater important?
Wastewater is predominantly derived from domestic ,commercial and industrial activities as liquid waste.
- Domestic sources include wastewater from kitchen, bathrooms, toilets and laundry. The dissolved or suspended particles may contain food waste, soap, cleaning liquid from showers and laundry wash. They may also include pathogenic organisms, E- Choli ,and viruses from meat.
- Industrial waste water is an emanation from the manufacture of food or animal products, production of chemicals, paint or effluents from purification of secondary products.
- Waste water from municipal or urban will generally include the same categories from commercial or secondary business activities such as administrative offices, stores, hotels and gasoline stations.
From a chemistry perspective; this is what wastewater consists of:
Organics:
- BOD: biochemical oxygen demand
- COD: chemical oxygen demand
- TOC: total organic carbon
- O&G :oil and grease
Solids:
- TS: total solids
- TSS: total suspended solids
- TDS: total dissolved solids
- TVS:total volatile solids
- TFS:total fixed solids
Nutrients:
- NH3: ammonia
- TKN: total Kjeldahl nitrogen
- N-N:nitrite/nitrate
- TP: total phosphorus
Fun Fact: Wastewater is 99.97 per cent water as the majority is sourced from showers, baths and washing machines. The remainder is dissolved and suspended matter.
While in urban areas, local authorities have made provision for their collection and disposal through waste water reservoirs and the sewerage network, most rural areas, specially in developing countries dispose of them in the open environment.
The volume and quality of wastewater released by a particular human settlement is a reflection on consumer demand and behaviour of the residents and manufacturers. It is therefore crucial to establish sustained policies and regulations for enforcement by all stakeholders with the view to protect and conserve a safe environment for the benefit of the future generations.
Rising to the Challenge of Protecting Our Water Resources
Okay wait a minute; One of the Breaking news found on the social media this morning and I had to share it with you guys !!
****Plastic particles falling out of sky with snow in Arctic***
I mean how even?? I guess I’ll leave that up to you guys to figure out where this world is leading to? But anyway let’s get back to the blog.
The issue of waste water impact goes beyond the understanding of the common citizen as another invisible aspect is its mingling with drinking water sources within the ecological system such as lakes, rivers and streams thus indirectly affecting human habitat or biodiversity. A common phenomenon where there is lack of water treatment for domestic purposes is in poorly developed countries whereby contagious diseases are rapidly spread through poor hygiene. The other complex issue occurring in both developed and developing countries is the set of toxic chemicals, pharmaceutical derivatives and agro- chemicals that are entering our drinking water network. A typical example is contaminated run off water from modern farming; carrying pesticides and nitrates from fertilizers.
The role of Education in the Concept of Sustainability
#SeriousShitTalk
Continuing education be it at industry, non degradable micro plastic manufacture ,crop farming or sanitation is a crucial exercise that should be brought to the attention of all stakeholders including policy makers, the manufacturing industry, high school leavers and community groups.
- A powerful message of marine pollution is helping to change practices.
- Manage pesticide and fertilizer use better.
- Rising concerns about antibiotic resistance has helped drive a reduction in the inclusion of triclosan in some personal care products.
- Reduce the use of every day personal care products and pharmaceuticals. People can change habits when they understand the impact of their practices.
Toilet Paper, Poo, Pee- GOT IT! NOTHING ELSE GETS FLUSHED!
But why is the treatment of Wastewater so important today? 
#Envision2030: 17 goals to transform the world for persons with disabilities
In 2015, UN Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6):
“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”.
One of the targets is to halve the proportion of untreated wastewater and increase water recycling and safe reuse, which in turn will impact:
- health (SDG 3),
- gender equality (SDG 5)
- clean water and sanitation (SDG 6),
- energy (SDG 7),
- sustainable cities (SDG 11),
- life below water (SDG 14), and
- life on land (SDG 15)
What is the hurry?
It is anticipated that with varying climate change pattern , floods and droughts are becoming more difficult to handle by government ,local authority or community groups. For instance Households and businesses in Dublin experienced water shortage twice this year already. As a consequence , proper recycling of waste water is gaining more of importance, to cater for water shortage in semi arid or arid areas.
In fact, waste water treatment was a common practice by ancient civilizations whereby it was used for irrigation to increase crop yields. However during the 19th century, the method was not found to be efficient as waste water pipes designed to collect waste water were not undertaking water treatment resulting in the release of bad odours in cities, urban areas from industrialization and increasing human settlement. The instalment of long distance waste water pipes also started becoming an economic problem.
The NEED TO TRANSITION FROM CONVENTIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT TO A MODERN WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM.
Modern WasteWater Treatment Activated Sludge Systems.
This video is very concise and straight to point to help you visualise the process of activated sludge.
There has been progressive advancement during the past decades with the help of technology to treat waste water more effectively and at lower cost. The principle of primary ,secondary and tertiary treatment have been applied whereby 65% percent of suspended particles were removed at the primary stage, and another twenty percent of the sludge at the secondary stage.
To day, further advancement has been reached with the Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR) and the Conventional Activated Sludge (CAS) system. However this approach is energy consuming; in that it wastes up to 70% of the energy by trying to inject oxygen into the waste water; and is therefore not sustainable electrically.
Way Forward
It is therefore the moral and ethical responsibility of every government and local authority to set up efficient infrastructure to sustain wastewater collection treatment and subsequent disposal of toxic wastes and harmful organisms.
The best option is to undertake collective responsibility .
The model proposed is that used in Cape Town, whereby relevant stakeholders get involved, namely :
- Individual awareness, lifestyle and routine.
- Municipalities , states and counties – each one shouldering its responsibility regarding policies and sustainability towards water protection , conservation and recycling.
- Manufacturers, business and commercial stakeholders contributing to water protection and recycling.
On an ending note – Current water users should care for sound water use and sound water management to cater for sustainability for future generations in an increasingly climate change environment.
AND NOW LET’S GET TO THE MOST ENTERTAINING PART OF THIS BLOG. WATCH OUT THIS VIDEO AND SUPPORT YOUR POOPGURL OUT THERE WHO’S TRYING TO SHARE WITH YOU HOW YOUR POOP CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE BETTERMENT OF THE SOCIETY. SO
SIT BACK, RELAX AND HENJOY
Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Who Are The Culprits? 