Water & Wastewater

Hydrologic Cycle

EVAPORATION (from water and soil), TRANSPIRATION (by plants), TRANSPORT, PRECIPITATION, RUNOFF

Uses of Water

Domestic, industrial, agricultural

Domestic uses of water

drinking, cooking, bathing

Industrial uses of water

manufacturing tires, refining gas, brewing beer

Agricultural

irrigation (69% global use, asia=82%)

Other uses of water

mining, recreation, sewage disposal

Types of wells

drilled, dug, driven, bored

Drilled wells

most common type of well, rotary drill used, can go 1000 ft deep, less contamination risk

3 major sources of groundwater contamination

septic systems, waste storage/disposal facilities, nonpoint source pollution

Process of determining soil suitability

test for permeability, slope, water table, rocks, wetlands

what makes up a modern septic system

septic tank, distribution box, leach field (disposal field)

Septic tank

first part of the system where anaerobic decomposition begins. It separates waste into solids (sludge), scum, and liquid.

Distribution box

A component that takes effluent from the septic tank and evenly distributes it to the leach field laterals, ensuring balanced flow.

Leach field (disposal field)

gives most protection to groundwater, aerobic digestion, filtration of bacteria in soil

Common sources of septic contamination

feces, urine, pet waste, cleaning products, food waste

first step of septic construction

soil and site evaluation

exposure routes for wastewater related illness

injestion, inhalation, dermal, ocular, irritation, nitrates

Common agents or causes of waterborne illness and exposure

bacteria, viruses, chemicals, exposure routes

Giardiasis

reservoir (cause): humans, beavers

leading characteristics: chronic diarrhea, cramps, bloating, weight loss, fatigue

agent: giardia lambia

Occurrence: Worldwide; poor sanitation, institutions, daycare centers, shallow wells

mode of transmission: ingestion of cysts in contaminated water, hand to mouth transfer

treatment: rehydration

prevention: protect water supplies

Cryptosporidiosis

agent: cryptosporidium parvum

Occurance: worldwide, animal handlers, travelers

leading characteristics: chronic diarrhea, cramps, bloating, fatigue, weight loss

mode of transmission: fecal-oral, person to person, animal to person, waterborne, foodborne

reservoirs (cause): humans, cattle, other domestic animals

treatment: rehydration, isolation

prevention: boil water, personal hygiene, sewage disposal

Cholera

agent: vibrio cholerae

occurance: asia, africa, gulf coast, eastern europe

leading characteristics: watery stool, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, kidney failure, death

mode of transmission: food or water contaminated w/ feces or vomitus, surface water, seafood

reservoirs(cause):humans

treatment: rehydration, antibiotics

Sewage treatment steps

1. preliminary treatment

2. primary treatment

3. secondary treatment

4. tertiary treatment

5. disinfection

6. final disposal

Preliminary treatment (sewage treatment step 1)

remove large objects and grit

Primary treatment (sewage treatment step 2)

sedimentation, settle out solids, organic load reduced 25-40%

Secondary treatment (sewage treatment step 3)

Organic load is reduced 90–95% using bacteria (trickling filters or activated sludge)

Tertiary treatment (sewage treatment step 4)

Remove nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon compounds

Disinfection (sewage treatment step 5)

kills disease causing organisms (UV light, chlorine)

Final disposal (sewage treatment step 6)

remaining water is discharged to waterways

Safe drinking water act (1974)

first time that public drinking water was protected nationally

Primary drinking water standards

protect against health hazards (microorganisms, chemicals, radionuclides)

Secondary drinking standards

address aesthetic issues (taste, odor, iron, total dissolved solids)