In households, business and industrial uses, a massive amount of water is consumed in any city or town on a daily basis. When this water has been used, it turns into sewage that contains possibly toxic compounds, sanitation, and pollutant. However if this type of wastewater is not treated it leads to pollution and likely to cause diseases including poor sanitation. This is where sewage treatment plants come into the picture. These are important in enhancing sewage systems in municipalities as the water given back to nature has to be treated.
What is meant by Sewage Treatment Plants?
Sewage treatment plant is a fixed installation that is put into use for the clarification of sewage with the intention of making it as natural as possible to allow reuse. These plants also remove chemicals which are dangerous to the environment and for people when they use this water. They help in sustaining the municipal wastewater systems that our communities depend on by handling large volumes of the wastewater.
The Role of STP Plants in Enhancing Municipal Wastewater Systems
Sewage treatment plants improve municipal wastewater systems in several important ways:
· Protecting Public Health: One of the functions of STP is to decontaminate the bacteria virus and other pathogen form the sewage. If these pathogens are not eliminated they are able to cause diseases in the society some of which may be fatal. The wastewater treatment plants improve the general public health in the sense that the water that is discharged in the rivers and the lakes does not bring with it diseases.
· Reducing Pollution: Wastewater when not treated could contain chemical compounds, heavy metals as well as organic substance. These pollutants if released in natural water systems are hazardous to the water, the lives of aquatic organisms, change the ecosystem, and pollute our water sources.
· Supporting Sustainable Water Management: While the urban centres expand, the need for source of pure water also rises. Sewage treatment plants help municipalities to address challenges that emanate from the use of water by giving them a way to treat wastewater so they can use it again. Sometimes it can be used again like for example in irrigation, some industrial uses, or even to recharge water sources. This sustainable management of water resources assists the cities in getting water supplies without exerting pressure on the water sources.
· Preventing Overload in Natural Water Bodies: The discharge of untreated wastewater in rivers or directly to lakes and seas results in a number of problems such as nutrient which lead to algal overgrowth and oxygen depletion. These conditions can cause death of fish and any other living organism that is found within a particular ecosystem. Sewage treatment plants work around this by purifying the wastewater and making sure that the natural waters do not get polluted with the nutrients.
· Ensuring Compliance with Environmental Regulations: There are strict regulatory measures taken by Governments in regard to the quality of water that can be discharged in water bodies. Managed sewage treatment assists municipalities in meeting these requirement by guaranteeing that water that is released is pure and safe. Thus, following these regulations, cities can discharge penalties and preserve the local countries’ environment.
The challenges faced by sewage treatment plants
While sewage treatment plants play a critical role in enhancing municipal wastewater systems, they also face several challenges:
· High Costs: The construction of the sewage treatment plants is always expensive and even more expensive is the maintenance of the same. These facility require a lot of capital investment on the instalments, information and communication, and human resource.
· Energy Consumption: The processes that are used in sewage treatment often require use of energy hence making the processes to have an impact on the amount of carbon that is produced in a city. Thus, the techniques to make such plants energy efficient is still a challenge that is commonly observed.
· Sludge Management: The treatment process results in the formation of a solid waste known as sludge which in its disposal poses a danger to the environment. Yet, dealing with it is yet another issue that municipalities and water treatment facilities face.
· Public Awareness: Some people do not know the significance of sewage treatment centers. The public needs to be aware of how these facilities segregate and improve the municipal wastewater systems, as well as, promoting proper etiquette by properly disposing of garbage.
Sewage treatment and its future in the municipal wastewater systems
The future of sewage treatment looks promising, with new technologies and approaches being developed to make the process more efficient and environmentally friendly:
· Advanced Filtration Systems: Efficiency is being enhanced in the treatment process and new filtration systems are being developed in order to filter out the tiniest of particles in the wastewater.
· Energy Recovery: Several STPs are looking at options to capture energy during the treatment process and the more common byproduct of methane generated during the process is used for generating electricity.
· Green Infrastructure: Constructed wetlands are being incorporated into the wastewater treatment processes as natural production system. Such systems employ the water filtering capability of plants, soil and other organic matter in dealing with the wastewater reducing the need for mechanical interference.
· Smart Technology: Application of sensors and automation is making the running of sewage treatment plant to be efficient hence cutting costs of running the plant.
Conclusion
Sewage treatment plants are integrating and essential component of municipal wastewater management systems. They are responsible for public health, environmental pollution control, water sustainability, and prompt adherence to environmental laws by cities. However, there are some difficulties in running these plants but due to constant innovations and provision of information to the general public these difficulties can be overcome. As the municipal wastewater systems are further improved, the sewage treatment plants help build healthier, cleaner and more sustainable societies.
Do you need an advice or assistance on selecting the best water and waste water treatment unit? We have solutions for all your problems!
Let us know your problem, our experts will make sure that it goes away.
For an assistance or related query,
Call on +91-965-060-8473 Or write us at enquiry@netsolwater.com