Chapter 6: Problem 15

What is the typical goal in terms of water purity for wastewater treatment — how pure does it need to be?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The typical goal in terms of water purity for wastewater treatment varies depending on local regulations, ultimate use of the water, and environmental considerations. Generally, wastewater treatment processes aim to remove contaminants to prevent harm to humans and the environment. In many jurisdictions, treated water should have BOD levels below 20 mg/L, TSS levels below 30 mg/L, and E-coli count less than 126 organisms/100 ml of sample for non-contact recreational use. The effectiveness of wastewater treatment depends on the technologies and methodologies used, with some able to achieve higher levels of purity than others.

Step by step solution

Understanding Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater treatment is a process aimed at removing various contaminants (chemical, physical, and biological) from wastewater to render it safe for release into the environment or reuse. The level of purity, or cleanliness, necessary after treatment can vary widely, depending on local regulations, the potential for human exposure, and the potential environmental impact of the wastewater.

Factors Determining Purity Goals

The desired level of purity in treated wastewater would depend on several factors including but not limited to local regulations, ultimate use of the water, and environmental considerations. In some cases, the treated water may need to be almost as clean as drinking water while in others, lower levels of treatment may be acceptable.

General Purity Goals

Generally, wastewater treatment processes aim to remove as much of the contaminants as possible to prevent harm to humans and the environment. In many jurisdictions, the treated water should meet certain standards like having Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels below 20 mg/L, total suspended solids (TSS) levels below 30 mg/L and E-coli count less than 126 organisms/100 ml of sample for non-contact recreational use.

Importance of Meeting Purity Goals

These standards help to ensure that the treated wastewater does not pose a risk to human health or the environment, especially aquatic life. Failure to meet these goals could result in harmful effects like spread of diseases or degradation of water bodies.

Conclusion

Therefore, the purity goal for wastewater treatment can vary but it generally involves meeting certain local and international regulations that aim to minimize the impact on human health and the environment. It's important to note that the effectiveness of wastewater treatment would depend on the technologies and methodologies used, with some able to achieve higher levels of purity than others.

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What is the typical goal in terms of water purity for wastewater treatment — how pure does it need to be?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Wastewater Treatment

Factors Determining Purity Goals

General Purity Goals

Importance of Meeting Purity Goals

Conclusion

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