ஓம் ரவிசுதாய வித்மஹே மந்தக்ரஹாய தீமஹி தந்நோ சனி ப்ரஜோதயாத்; ஓம் காகத்வஜாய வித்மஹே கஹட்கஹஸ்தாய தீமஹி தந்நோ சனி ப்ரஜோதயாத்; ஓம் சதுà®°்புஜாய வித்மஹே தண்டஹஸ்தாய தீமஹி தந்நோ மந்தஹ் ப்ரஜோதயாத்; ஓம் சனீஸ்வராய வித்மஹே சாய புத்à®°ாய தீமஹி தந்நோ சனி ப்ரஜோதயாத்; நீலாஞ்சனம் சமாபாà®·à®®் ரவிபுத்à®°à®®் எமாக்ரஜம் சாய à®®ாà®°்தாண்ட சம்பூதம் தம்நமாà®®ி சனிà®·் ச்சரம்

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Industrial water treatment

Before raw sewage can be safely released back into the environment, it needs to be treated correctly in a water treatment plant. In a water treatment plant, sewage goes through a number of chambers and chemical processes to reduce the amount and toxicity of the waste.
  • The sewage first goes through a primary phase. This is where some of the suspended, solid particles and inorganic material is removed by the use of filters.
  • The secondary phase of the treatment involves the reduction of organic, this is done with the use of biological filters and processes that naturally degrade the organic waste material.
  • The final stage of treatment is the tertiary phase; this stage must be done before the water can be reused. Almost all solid particles are removed from the water and chemical additives are supplied to get rid of any left-over impurities.

Denitrification

Denitrification is an ecological approach that can be used to prevent the leaching of nitrates in soil, this in turn stops any ground water from being contaminated with nutrients.
  • Fertilisers contain nitrogen, and are often applied to crops by farmers to help plant growth and increase the yield.
  • Bacteria in the soil convert the nitrogen in the fertilizer to nitrates, making it easier for the plants to absorb.
  • Immobilization is a process where the nitrates become part of the soil organic matter.
  • When oxygen levels are low, another form of bacteria then turns the nitrates into gases such as nitrogen, nitrous oxide and nitrogen dioxide.
  • The conversion of these nitrates into gas is called denitrification. This prevents nitrates from leaching into the soil and contaminating groundwater.

Septic tanks and sewage treatment

Septic tanks treat sewage at the place where it is located, rather than transporting the waste through a treatment plant or sewage system. Septic tanks are usually used to treat sewage from an individual building.
  • Untreated sewage from a property flows into the septic tank and the solids are separated from the liquid.
  • Solid material is separated depending on their density. Heavier particles settle at the bottom of the tank whereas lighter particles, such as soap scum, will form a layer at the top of the tank.
  • Biological processes are used to help degrade the solid materials.
  • The liquid then flows out of the tank into a land drainage system and the remaining solids are filtered out.

Ozone wastewater treatment

Ozone wastewater treatment is a method that is increasing in popularity. An ozone generator is used to break down pollutants in the water source.
  • The generators convert oxygen into ozone by using ultraviolet radiation or by an electric discharge field.
  • Ozone is a very reactive gas that can oxidise bacteria, moulds, organic material and other pollutants found in water.
  • Using ozone to treat wastewater has many benefits:
    –  Kills bacteria effectively.
    –  Oxidises substances such as iron and sulphur so that they can be filtered out of the solution.
    –  There are no nasty odours or residues produced from the treatment.
    –  Ozone converts back into oxygen quickly, and leaves no trace once it has been used.
  • The disadvantages of using ozone as a treatment for wastewater are:
    –  The treatment requires energy in the form of electricity; this can cost money and cannot work when the power is lost.
    –  The treatment cannot remove dissolved minerals and salts.
    –  Ozone treatment can sometimes produce by-products such as bromate that can harm human health if they are not controlled.

What Can You Do?

If you want to help keep our waters clean, there are many things you can do to help. You can prevent water pollution of nearby rivers and lakes as well as groundwater and drinking water by following some simple guidelines in your everyday life.
  • Conserve water by turning off the tap when running water is not necessary. This helps prevent water shortages and reduces the amount of contaminated water that needs treatment.
  • Be careful about what you throw down your sink or toilet. Don’t throw paints, oils or other forms of litter down the drain. Use environmentally household products, such as washing powder, household cleaning agents and toiletries.
  • Take great care not to overuse pesticides and fertilisers. This will prevent runoffs of the material into nearby water sources.
  • By having more plants in your garden you are preventing fertiliser, pesticides and contaminated water from running off into nearby water sources.
  • Don’t throw litter into rivers, lakes or oceans. Help clean up any litter you see on beaches or in rivers and lakes, make sure it is safe to collect the litter and put it in a nearby dustbin.

Laws and conventions

There are many laws that protect the world’s oceans, rivers and lakes from unnecessary water pollution. Each continent and country may differ in which laws they enforce but they aim to have the same overall positive influence.
In Europe, there have been a number laws enforced to protect the surrounding ocean from marine dumping.
  • In 1989, the dumping of industrial waste was terminated in all countries in North-Western Europe, apart from the UK. Dumping was terminated in the UK in 1993.
  • In 1990, the dumping of sewage sludge was terminated in all countries in North-Western Europe, apart from the UK. Dumping was terminated in the UK in 1998.
  • Guidelines have been developed and are currently being reviewed regarding the dumping of polluted materials.
  • Dumping of nuclear waste in European waters has been terminated since 1986.
There are a number of directives given in the European Union Environmental Legislation:
  • The proposed water framework directive aims to achieve a number of objectives regarding health and environmental issues:
    – Enforce sufficient drinking water provisions.
    – Enforce sufficient provisions if water for other economic requirements.
    – Protection of the environment from water pollution.
    – Provide alleviation of the adverse impacts of floods and droughts.
    – The directive aims to achieve a good status for ground waters and surface waters in Europe by the year 2010.
  • The urban waste water directive aims to protect surface inland waters and coastal waters from pollution by regulating the collection and treatment of urban waste water.
  • The nitrate from agricultural sources directive aims to protect waters against pollution caused by nitrates, especially nitrates from agricultural sources such as fertilisers. This will enable marine and freshwaters to be protected from eutrophication.
  • The drinking water directive aims to establish strict standards regarding the quality of drinking water. The directive provides parameters and analysis methods, these standards must be met to ensure safe drinking water.
  • The surface water for drinking water abstraction directive and measurement and sampling of surface waters directive and information exchange decision are integrated to form a framework that deals with wate protection of all waters, not just those used by humans.
  • The fish water directive and shell water directive aims to protect waters from pollution that are primarily used for fishing.
  • The groundwater directive aims to protect groundwater from dangerous pollutants by controlling the direct and indirect discharges of certain substances into the groundwater.
  • The bathing water directive aims to keep good standards in the quality of bathing water in freshwater and coastal water areas.
 
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