Wastewater Recycling Should Be Encouraged
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by: fortch
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Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. For reasons of better environmental management, wastewater is being recycled. Wastewater comprises liquid waste discharged by domestic residences, commercial properties, industry, and/or agriculture and can encompass a wide range of potential contaminants and concentrations. In the most common usage, it refers to the municipal wastewater that contains a broad spectrum of contaminants resulting from the mixing of wastewater from different sources.
Wastewater recycling and reuse has been seen as a laudable development. There are still questions in some quarters regarding the quality and reuse of recycled wastewater. Psychologically, it is difficult to come terms with the fact that you have to reuse water you used earlier in the toilet and kitchen for any other domestic purpose. It really sounds absurd.
When used for irrigation, investigations show that the soil usually has high pH level, and concentrations of extractable Na, B, and P, respectively. Compared with sites irrigated with surface water, sites irrigated with soils under irrigation using wastewater exhibited 187% higher EC and 481% higher sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). For golf courses, more than 90% increase in Na content, 35% increase in B content, and 100% increase in P content at the surface depth has been observed.
These not withstanding, the benefits of wastewater recycling and reuse far outweigh its disadvantages. All the same, before reuse, wastewater must be adequately treated and certified fit for any purpose it would be used for. Wastewater recycling is a welcomed development and should be encouraged to help improve on the present global fresh water situation.
Turning Wastewater into a Life-Giving Resource
Wastewater recycling helps you get the most from limited water supplies. It’s a low-cost, environmentally friendly way to create fresh water for industry and agriculture. Treated wastewater can be reused as drinking water, in industry in cooling towers, for artificial recharge of aquifers, in agriculture like in Israel where 70% of irrigated agriculture is based on treated wastewater. It is also used in the rehabilitation of natural ecosystems. Recycled wastewater has become a common water source for irrigating golf courses and urban landscapes.
Wastewater recycling is of great benefits in homes because it;
Reduces fresh water use
Reduces strain on septic tanks
Reduces strain on treatment plants
Reduces energy use
Reduces chemical requirements
Helps reclaim wasted nutrients
is use to recharge groundwater
Encourage plant growth and topsoil treatment economically
Plants and topsoil thrive on wastewater, which contains small bits of compost.
Before you install a wastewater recycling system, you’ll need to check with your local building department. Some states have specific grey water policies regarding construction and remodeling. Keep in mind, however, that you may be able to save as much as 70 percent or more of your water by recycling waste water, so it pays to check into this option.
Original Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fortune_Ihunweze
About the Author
Fortune Ihunweze is an Environmentalist. His comments and views on environmental issues are contained in his website: www.environmenthighlight.com
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