What is the role of STP in controlling water pollution?

Water pollution is defined as the discharge of compounds into bodies of water that render the water unsafe for human consumption and disrupt aquatic ecosystems. Water pollution can be caused by a variety of contaminants, including toxic waste, petroleum, and pathogenic microorganisms. The quality of water resources defines the quality of life, but water scarcity has been the major environmental concern for the last decade. Water resources are becoming contaminated as a result of a variety of factors, including both domestic and industrial pollutants.

Because sewage water contains both biological and chemical wastes, the risks of directly releasing it into a living ecosystem are high. Sewage treatment of wastewater is highly recommended because it aids in the removal of major impurities. Sewage treatment plants are responsible for the treatment of sewage water collected from industrial and domestic sources. Even though industrial and domestic sewage water contain heavy solid impurities, organic wastes, and toxic chemicals, the sewage treatment process must be efficient in treating and separating toxic wastes prior to disposal of wastewater in living systems, making it safe.

Sewage treatment stages

The construction of Sewage Treatment Plants is simple, and the operation entails a series of treatment processes.

The sedimentation process is used in the first stage of sewage treatment. The sewage water, which is collected in large tanks, is allowed to settle for a period of time, resulting in the sedimentation of heavy solid impurities to the tank's bottom while liquid impurities float on the top surface. The liquid impurities, such as oil floats and grease, are then removed using clarifiers, which are typically circular in shape, and this process is known as clarification.

The aeration process is the second stage of working in a sewage treatment plant. Aeration is the process of activating sludge through the use of large fans known as aerators. Because organic impurities have a high BOD (Biological oxygen demand), the aerators provide oxygen to the bacteria, resulting in the formation of sludge, which is removed later in the secondary stage. The efficiency of the aeration process is determined by the design of the aerator fins and the tank dimensions.

The secondary stage treated water contains chemical or physical infectants. The tertiary stage involves the disinfection of toxic impurities, making treated water safe for disposal. Sewage treatment plants aid in reducing hazardous contamination that enters natural water bodies, thereby controlling water pollution.

Role of sewage treatment in reducing water pollution

Sewage treatment plants aid in putting the brakes on water pollution, providing a stable hold to maintain the ecosystem's balance. Although the sewage treatment process is simple, it is not widely used. Sewage treatment awareness must be spread through various media platforms.

Water scarcity is a major cause of poor population growth in developing countries, and water contamination kills the health of good and hygiene life. Despite the fact that water constitutes three-fourths of the world's content, only a few percent is available for human consumption. As a result, water reuse in agricultural and industrial sectors should be encouraged. Reuse is impossible without proper sewage treatment, so sewage treatment plants are just as important as hydropower plants.

For more information, contact Netsol Water.