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{{topic header| BlackwaterLonny.jpg | Wastewater}}
{{topic header| BlackwaterLonny.jpg | Wastewater}}
'''Wastewater''', '''sewage''' or ''''''blackwater''' is water that has been polluted with human and/or animal [[feces]]/[[urine]]. It is different from [[greywater]] as the latter is only polluted with (non-)biodegradable soaps/detergents.
'''Wastewater''', '''sewage''' or '''blackwater''' is water that has been polluted with human or animal [[feces]]/[[urine]]. It is different from [[greywater]] which is wastewater than has not been polluted with fecal material.


Wastewater management is an important part of [[sanitation]]. First and foremost the creation of wastewater should be prevented, ie by seperating human and animal feces/urine from the ambient water reserves (ie rivers, sea, ...). This can be done by not using [[flush toilets]] but rather [[composting toilet]]s or even microwave or vacuum toilets<ref>First developed by Georgios Stefanidis, second developed by Grietje Zeeman /DeSaH</ref>.
Wastewater management is an important part of [[sanitation]]. Creation of wastewater can be limited by separating human and animal feces and urine from the ambient water reserves (e.g., rivers, sea, etc.). This can be done partially accomplished by using [[composting toilet]] instead of [[flush toilets]].<ref>Or even even microwave or vacuum toilets first developed by Georgios Stefanidis, second developed by Grietje Zeeman /DeSaH</ref>.


If it is present nonetheless, wastewater needs to be managed. The essential components of wastewater management are collection (see [[sewage collection]]) and [[wastewater treatment]].  
The essential components of wastewater management are the sewerage or sewage system (see [[sewage collection]]) and the actual [[wastewater treatment]].  


Wastewater can generally be divided into [[sewage]] (or blackwater), [[greywater]], and [[industrial wastewater]]. These have some differences in level of hazard to [[public health]], and in wastewater treatment requirements, but many of the processes are the same.  
[[Industrial wastewater]] may also contain toxic or caustic effluent{{Fact}}.  


The stages in wastewater treatment are:
The stages in wastewater treatment are:
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* [[Tertiary wastewater treatment]]{{w|Tertiary wastewater treatment}} - an additional treatment stage to improve effluent quality its discharge into the environment. This covers additional removal of suspended solids, refractory organics, heavy metals and dissolved solids
* [[Tertiary wastewater treatment]]{{w|Tertiary wastewater treatment}} - an additional treatment stage to improve effluent quality its discharge into the environment. This covers additional removal of suspended solids, refractory organics, heavy metals and dissolved solids
* "Advanced wastewater treatment" may be considered part of tertiary treatment, or may be considered separately - this is a matter of terminology. It includes nutrient removal - i.e. biological removal of [[nitrogen]] and [[phosphorus]] to avoid [[eutrophication]] of the receiving water body.
* "Advanced wastewater treatment" may be considered part of tertiary treatment, or may be considered separately - this is a matter of terminology. It includes nutrient removal - i.e. biological removal of [[nitrogen]] and [[phosphorus]] to avoid [[eutrophication]] of the receiving water body.
== Minimizing health risks from blackwater==
Sewage handling is essential for public health. Many [[disease]]s can be transmitted by blackwater, which contains [[pathogens]], and/or harsh chemicals. It hence should be handled with great care and human exposure to greywater should be avoided.
* Wash yourself after having contact with blackwater.
* Do not allow blackwater run off your property (see [[Human defecation|drain-field systems]])
* Do not allow anything that may be eaten to come into contact with blackwater (e.g. root garden crops in contact with  blackwater from your neighbour's drain-field system).
==References==
{{reflist}}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Human defecation]]
* [[Types of toilets]]
* [[Earthship#Water]]
* [[Earthship#Water]]
* [[Biogas]]: some wastewater plants implement anaerobic digestion (often using the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_hydrolysis Thermal_hydrolysis process]) in their purification system to also create biogas, decreasing the costs of the purification
* [[Urine|Phosporus can be extracted from wastewater by adding magnesium, forming struvite]]


{{stub}}
==External links==
* [http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=32e35366f556a285253d70b5c6bb938c&prevstart=0 KVDP's water treatment plant]
* [http://www.wte-ltd.co.uk/discharging_sewage_effluent.html  Discharging sewage effluent - UK Rules and Regulations]
* [http://www.crystaltanks.com/sewage_treatment_explained.html Sewage treatment explained]
* [http://www.tardishire.co.uk/index.php/other_services/7 Info on what waste water layers are in your septic tank] (scroll down to the graphic with "Drain field or Soakaway")
* [https://mpcservices.co.uk/kbase/Sewage_Treatment/Treatment_Plant_Servicing_and_Maintenance.html Treatment Plant Servicing and Maintenance]


[[Category:Water]]
[[Category:Water]]
[[Category:Sanitation]]
[[Category:Sanitation]]
[[Category:Wastewater]]
[[Category:Wastewater]]

Revision as of 07:39, 27 June 2019

Wastewater, sewage or blackwater is water that has been polluted with human or animal feces/urine. It is different from greywater which is wastewater than has not been polluted with fecal material.

Wastewater management is an important part of sanitation. Creation of wastewater can be limited by separating human and animal feces and urine from the ambient water reserves (e.g., rivers, sea, etc.). This can be done partially accomplished by using composting toilet instead of flush toilets.[1].

The essential components of wastewater management are the sewerage or sewage system (see sewage collection) and the actual wastewater treatment.

Industrial wastewater may also contain toxic or caustic effluent[verification needed].

The stages in wastewater treatment are:

  • Primary wastewater treatment - sieving and sedimentation.
  • Secondary wastewater treatment - digestion of biological matter, usually through oxidation, although anaerobic digestion is also possible.
  • Tertiary wastewater treatmentW - an additional treatment stage to improve effluent quality its discharge into the environment. This covers additional removal of suspended solids, refractory organics, heavy metals and dissolved solids
  • "Advanced wastewater treatment" may be considered part of tertiary treatment, or may be considered separately - this is a matter of terminology. It includes nutrient removal - i.e. biological removal of nitrogen and phosphorus to avoid eutrophication of the receiving water body.

Minimizing health risks from blackwater

Sewage handling is essential for public health. Many diseases can be transmitted by blackwater, which contains pathogens, and/or harsh chemicals. It hence should be handled with great care and human exposure to greywater should be avoided.

  • Wash yourself after having contact with blackwater.
  • Do not allow blackwater run off your property (see drain-field systems)
  • Do not allow anything that may be eaten to come into contact with blackwater (e.g. root garden crops in contact with blackwater from your neighbour's drain-field system).

References

Template:Reflist

See also

External links

  1. Or even even microwave or vacuum toilets first developed by Georgios Stefanidis, second developed by Grietje Zeeman /DeSaH
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