waste water mgt

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Waste Water Treatment

“Climate Change Threatens Access to Water and Sanitation, WARN UNECE & WHO/Europe, Urging Reinforced Measures under Protocol to Boost Resilience.” UNECE, 20 May 2022, https://unece.org/media/press/367685.

In Europe, many countries are in fear of the water crisis. They struggle to keep up with enough drinking water to provide for the country. 35% of the European Union predicts high water stress by the 2070s. Wastewater Treatments are also in crisis. Hungary’s wastewater treatment has significantly higher operational costs for increased pumping energy demand and disruption to treatment plants. More and more maintenance is required for the sanitation process to ensure that pollutants don’t enter the environment.

This crisis in wastewater treatment is a cause of climate change. Droughts cause a general decrease in the natural amount of water in the environment. This has a ripple effect in rivers where there is less water flow, so there are more pollutants, which cause hygienic issues. Heatwaves can cause an increase in pathogens which can result in disease. Rising temperatures also melt glaciers which lessens the availability of water. There is a clear correlation between climate change and decreased sanitation in the water. Another catastrophic effect if the wastewater treatment plants are not performing is pollutants can be spread into the environment from the wastewater disrupting it.Waste Water Treatment

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Why our approach to wastewater needs to change if we want to have a future with sustainable water.

 

Kando. (2022, March 7). Rethinking wastewater is essential for a sustainable water future. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.kando.eco/climate-change-2022-report/. 

 

The global approach to wastewater needs to be reevaluated if there is any hope of undoing some of the disastrous effects of climate change. Over 4.2 billion people were unable to lack safe sanitation services and in as many as 97.5% of those experiences people were affected by water stress, a byproduct of climate change. The article states that out of 380 billion tons of wastewater produced annually worldwide only 20% is treated properly and able to be reused. The article offers technology as a solution explaining that if technology was able to identify wastewater makeup with sensors it could be cleaned and more easily turned into a usable asset.

 

While I think technology is a big part of the problem they did not address funding that would likely be needed for this solution to work effectively. However I feel like this article unpacked some very alarming statistics. When only around 20% of wastewater is being effectively reused then we are wasting billions of tons of water when we know over 4 billion people are unable to safely and consistently use clean water. I think that the more awareness that we raise and the more funding for technology working on turning wastewater into something usable the sooner we will be able to start reusing wastewater, a necessity if we expect to undo some of the damage done to our planet.

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How wastewater can be used as an early warning system to new health threats.

Keshaviah, A (2022, June 9). Wastewater monitoring: how to strengthen and sustain an important public health tool. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.statnews.com/2022/06/09/wastewater-monitoring-strengthen-sustain-i portant-public-health-tool/ 

 

The CDC is attempting to use wastewater as an early warning system for health threats. However, after collecting data from local and state leaders they found only 7% of countries have what they need to effectively monitor wastewater for diseases. Even the 7% who were able to effectively collect wastewater data did not effectively use it to monitor cases during the peak of covid. The article then talks about the two steps that need to be taken if we want to increase our pandemic management. Health agencies must effectively know how to use wastewater data in order to predict spikes in cases, and funding needs to be made available in rural communities and areas that cannot afford to implement wastewater sensors.

 

This article is slightly different from the other three but I found it the most interesting. I think that if we are able to use wastewater data effectively for pandemic management especially in underdeveloped areas where hospitals cannot effectively treat all sick patients we will be able to adapt to rises in cases with more urgency. I think that articles like this are important because they explain not only where our funding should be going but why it will be effective. I also think that if we could have had a sort of “early warning system” we would have been able to better predict diseases like covid and greatly reduce the number of people affected.

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Using data to analyze trends in wastewater sustainability.

 

Genesis Water Technologies. (2022, February 4). Global Trends in 2022 for Water & Wastewater Treatment Sustainability. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://genesiswatertech.com/blog-post/global-trends-in-2022-for-water-wastewater-treatment-sustainability/ 

 

Two of the most impactful global water treatment methods are explained and analyzed. The first method explains how wastewater sensors using  artificial intelligence can better understand and optimize how to treat water in a more cost effective way. The article then talks about decentralized modular wastewater treatment (DMWT) which allows for wastewater resurse in an enclosed loop. It is explained that with rising water costs, strain on centralized infrastructure, and high power costs with the current systems, treatment systems like DMWT are becoming more common for organizations and communities. Finally the article explains that water is needed for companies to operate but sustainability concerns need to be taken more seriously and tells you what you can do to learn more.

 

This article gets me excited about the widespread adoption of new wastewater treatment solutions. This article however highlights the main reasons for certain wastewater adoption techniques highlighting financial reasons. I still strongly believe that if these companies were not saving money by using these systems that they would be extremely reluctant to adopt them. This article also briefly mentions communal adoption of these systems and while im glad that wastewater that could cause health problems to people in third world countries and people who live near factories that produce wastewater is being treated, I think it’s unfortunate that nobody has created a better solution and that they are still living in these conditions.

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Global water awards winning waste management projects.

 

Global Water Awards. (2022, May 17). Wastewater Project of the Year. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://globalwaterawards.com/2022-wastewater-project-of-the-year/ 

 

The Global Water Awards 2022 outlines two wastewater projects of the year starting with Recolab designed by ‘Nordvästra Skånes Vatten och Avlopp (NSVA) which is based in sweden. This is the  largest source sanitation plant in the world to effectively recycle blackwater, greywater and food waste. The article then explains the process that the sanitation plant uses and what makes it different from others. Next, detailing another wastewater project based out of Egypt which handles sludge and polluted water extremely energy efficiently. Finally the article explains how this prototype can be used to reduce the mass amount of pollution happening in large Egyptian cities.

I think organizations like the Global Water Awards are extremely important because they help shed light on some of the improvements being made to reduce the cost of clean water. Many companies that produce waste water are not likely to stop unless the government tightens regulations which we are not seeing happen, when technologies like this become mainstream I think we will start to see a significant decrease in the amount of waste water.

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Two big trends in wastewater treatment for 2022.

Trendminer. (2022). Two Big Trends in Water & Wastewater Treatment for 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from            https://www.trendminer.com/trends-in-water-wastewater-treatment-for-2022/   

 

     The Global Water Initiative details how poor quality control of both water and wastewater has increased in recent years. The article gives two solutions to these problems, the first, better sustain the flow of water by sending it upstream. The second solution is to analyze water digitally in order to track trends in water processing. The article then provides three use cases for both solutions giving a cost analysis and breaking down all the different ways this solution could positively impact the environment. Finally the article tells you what you can do to support water sustainability. 

 

     This article helped to show that even though there are laws and regulations placed on water treatment and sustainability, unless many companies start making a change we are going to see little to no improvement. This article reminded me why it’s important we educate ourselves on environmental issues not only locally but globally because no matter where it’s happening it’s still happening on our planet. I imagine that this also isn’t the only example of something like this happening where companies are ignoring things that impact our health if it can save them money and I expect as I find more sources I will see more examples that almost exactly mimic this.

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Trump Removes Pollution Controls on Streams and Wetlands

Davenport, Coral. “Trump Removes Pollution Controls on Streams and Wetlands.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 23 Jan. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/climate/trump-environment-water.html.

This article summarizes yet another roll back on environmental regulation that Obama and many before him set in place. In this case, the Clean Water Act, which was established in 1972, is being dismantled as Trump is now removing environmental protections from wetlands and streams by allowing construction projects to dump pollutants like pesticides into them. Many farmers and fossil fuel industries are happy about this change because they now have regained power over their land, but, as expected, environmentalists and clean water activists are disappointed. Most of them argue that the pollution will reach larger bodies of water that certain people are relying on for clean drinking water. In any event, Trump’s decision will be exposing waters that have been protected by the Clean Water Act for 50 plus years.

Environmental science is closely related to the problems in this article because it again is showing how humans can impact the environment and how the environment will react to that change. I think that this article does a good job of illustrating the two different sides of this argument because although it is a no-brainer for me and many others that our environment is the most important thing to conserve and preserve, some people actually disagree and fail to see the danger our environment is in right now. For example, farmers were extremely pleased with this change because they are now given control over their land again without having to abide by any rules. It’s hard to believe some people are so power-hungry that they can endanger the planet so easily. Furthermore, this article depicts that fighting to protect our environment has turned into a political argument instead of a demanding issue that we all need to work together to fix.  

 

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A Rainfall Year in Review: How Has Water Shaped up for Sacramento and Northern California?

Ding, Jaimie. “A Rainfall Year in Review: How Has Water Shaped up for Sacramento and Northern California?” Sacbee, The Sacramento Bee, 2019,   www.sacbee.com/news/weather-news/article232107917.html

There has been a record breaking rainfall in Sacramento broke a 130-year-old record for May rainfalls of 3.42 inches. The Golden Gate Weather Services found out that the rainfalls were above average in Irvine which was 135% and Los Angeles with a 126% of an average. In places around the bay area, their average was around 100-110 percent. The snowpacks were also impacted and increased the statewide Sierra snowpack which resulted in 202 percent. The majority of snowpacks have already melted since the snowpacks tend to melt in the late spring. Since there are robust reservoirs, the Department of Water Resources gave notice that in June it would increase the 2019 State Water Project. This increase will be able to provide additional water supply for more than 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland. 

 

Due to the large amount of rain falls, snowpack and robust reservoirs we are able to succeed in providing more resources to the population. The major rainfalls have provided how much needed to make up from out drought and more in order to keep this resource from running out. We tend to take for granted how much rainfall we receive instead of looking at it as the answer to our problems, well at least for now. The snowpacks are hard to depend on since they melt during a certain season so we have no control as to when we can set to use this water. Since we notice that we have sufficient amount of snow packs that will allow us to survive we should be able to preserve it and make it last as long as we can. Afterall as said in the article with this amount of increase we should be able to cover much more than our current population and still be able to stabilize the amount used for agriculture.

 

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Good news for California water supply: Spring snowpack still deep and will melt slowly

Reyes-Velarde, Alejandra, and Hannah Fry. “Good News for California Water Supply: Spring Snowpack Still Deep and Will Melt Slowly.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2019, www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-last-snowpack-measurement-20190502-story.html.

 

This article discusses how the snowpack here in California is still deep displaying a good level and showing good signs for the future. The snowpack of the year calculated is done by the California Department of Water Resources once a year in the Sierra Nevada. The measurement displayed a huge decline from previous months; however, it was better than previous years and showed “188% of average for the day.” This snowpack measurement is only done in May when there is still snow present. This can vary depending on a shrives of atmospheric river storms. Atmospheric rivers during winter help keep above-average snow levels which keep full reservoirs and streams leaving California drought-free. Experts have said that the snow will melt slower and will keep reservoirs full through August.

 

California has been in a drought for many years, but recently scientists have discovered that we are at a good level for our state of water. With all the rain that we have been receiving, we have been able to recover the amount of water we lost and needed. The snowpack claims to melt slower this year due to the temperatures which hopefully will stay this way. The unfortunate state of events with Carol Pearson losing her home due to a fire shall be prevented from occuring to more homes. With snow around that provides means to water should be used to its ability. Water is more than just a resource to consume, but as well to put out fires and use to water agriculture. The best way to continue looking out for good water level is checking the annual snow survey. This will help us to decide how we will limit the amount of water use and consumed to prevent this resource from becoming overused again.

 

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$300,000 down the drain: Grease and dollar bills clog treatment plant, cost taxpayers

Alvarez, J. (2019, February 24). $300,000 down the drain: Grease and dollar bills clog treatment plant, cost taxpayers. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/surprise-contributor/2019/02/24/repairs-clogged-wastewater-systems-surprise-cost-residents-300-k-annually/2941207002/

In Surprise, Arizona, the wastewater management team has faced great difficulty dealing with clogs in the system from things washed down the drain. Some examples are money, toys, grease, and “flushable” items such as wipes, which regardless of common perception, still contribute to clogs. These items can also cause damage to water pipes throughout the city and machinery at the plant. Accumulations of junk called “rag balls” stick to equipment and “can actually burn out motors”. All damages are costly, and much of the repair fund comes from local taxes. In Surprise, they use $300,000 annually fixing issues caused by improper waste disposal. In January, the Be G.R.O.S.S. (Be Guardians Regarding our Sewer System) campaign was launched to educate the public about the harmful and expensive effects of improper waste in the sewer system.

As the article notes, “most people probably don’t think about what happens after they flush”, a reality that can have serious consequences. This article underscores the impact of each person just from the daily process of producing wastewater. Having clean water and wastewater treatment are necessary for humans to lead decent lives, yet these services are unavailable to many, and taken for granted where they are available. As much as clean water is essential to life, it is also a privilege, something that most Americans do not seem to realize. Wastewater treatment plants and workers also get much less appreciation for their daily work. Being aware of what is being put down drains as well as water conservation are important steps that can make their job easier and even put less strain on the planet, since fresh water reserves are not necessarily guaranteed, and treated wastewater is usually returned to the ocean. It is good that the city is making an effort to educate their residents. Hopefully this campaign is successful in Surprise, and will inspire other cities to educate their own residents as well.