Water: An Introduction
The most necessary thing for humans to live a peaceful life is said to be the availability of food, shelter, and clothes. Along with this, another thing without which humans cannot live a single day is water. Water has been considered the most imperative thing for all living things on earth. Water has the ability to grow plants, prevent drought in fields, give life to marine mammals and also hydrate humans.
Every other thing in this world has a substantial amount of water in its body. In order to spread awareness about water, Sir C.V. Raman, an Indian scientist, wrote an essay named, “Water: The Elixir of Life”. In this essay, he wrote that the true elixir of life is nothing but water. We forget how water is the most wonderful thing on earth and how we take it for granted.
Fresh Water Freshens Up the Eventful Journey
In this essay on water freshens up the eventful journry, Sir C.V.Raman wrote how when he was standing between the Libyan desert and the valley of Nile, on one side, he saw a place full of sand without a single tree and vegetation, and on the other side, he saw a vast population with all the resources surrounding a place. That place was nothing but the Nile river. He then realised how a current of water can give life to a place that surrounds it.
We, sometimes, forget how water is the most potent thing in our lives and how it should be treated as the most sacred thing on earth. Water also enhances the beauty of small villages and towns.
The countryside water is so breathtaking that we do nothing but be mesmerised by its beauty. Watching the sunset from the horizon, while it reflects on the vast ocean water is cherry on the top. by this, one can understand how water is not only essential for all living things but also for mother earth.
Water Too Little To Waste
We, as working homo sapiens, are so immersed in our daily life that we forget how little fresh water is available near us. It is said that every month, over 1,000 gallons of water is wasted due to the leakage and drainage of water in several houses. Some of the residents still don’t have access to clean water and some days, they are left with no water at all.
Most of the Earth's water is used in building construction, hotels, hospitals, and water parks etc. only 1% of it is cleaned and the rest is dumped back as it is. Hence, it is important for us to know the ways to conserve water and realise its value. If we start saving water, for now, it is assured that our future generations can live in peace without worrying about the scarcity of water.
Waste Water Story
Over 99% of water is the composition of wastewater. The main source of wastewater is said to be through Domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors. Most of them are from sewage systems, and domestic wastewater like toilets, laundry, washrooms etc. Industrial wastewater is the most hazardous one as it contains harmful chemicals. And it is the most difficult to treat.
Agricultural wastewater includes fertilizer waste, pesticides waste and animal wastes. Most of the wastewater, which is not treated, is sent back to the water bodies like oceans, lakes, and rivers.
This causes harm not only to the fish but also to the people residing across the banks of rivers and lakes, as wastewater can create an overwhelming amount of carbon-di-oxide, and hydrogen sulphide, making the water go septic. This can lead to marking the water-surrounded area,” dead zone”.
Waste Water Treatment
There are several ways to treat wastewater and make it usable in the future. Some of the treatment methods are:
Primary Treatment: This is one of the treatment methods where water is held in a tank, solid sinks to the bottom and lighter particles float to the surface. After this stage, the materials are trapped while the remaining water is discharged.
Secondary Treatment: This method requires three stages of treatment to thoroughly clean the water. Biofiltration (usage of sand filters to remove any sediments), Aeration (increases oxygen saturation), and Oxidation ponds ( allowing the wastewater to pass through water bodies and retain it after some time)
Tertiary Treatment: This method is also known as the disinfection method where any bacteria or pathogens are removed from the water to make it drinkable.
Conclusion
Hence, from this article, we can learn to utilize and save one of the most precious minerals available on Earth. The scarcity of water around the globe has taught us many things but the most important lesson we learned is the value of it.
Interesting Facts
Nearly 97% of the water on Earth is salty.
The earth’s temperature is regulated by water
Human brain is made up of 75% of water
When freezed, water expands by 9%
Key Features
Water is an essential part of life.
There are over 1000 gallons of wastewater every month.
Polar Regions are melting rigorously due to climate change.
Water makes our Earth more beautiful.
FAQs on Water, The Elixir of Life
1. What does the phrase ‘water is the elixir of life’ mean in the context of this topic?
The phrase ‘water is the elixir of life’ means that water is the most essential and magical substance required for all forms of life to exist and thrive on Earth. Just as a mythical elixir grants life, water provides the foundation for agriculture, human health, and the flourishing of entire ecosystems. It is the true source of life, turning barren land into fertile areas and sustaining all living beings.
2. What was Sir C.V. Raman's key observation when comparing the Libyan desert and the Nile river valley?
Sir C.V. Raman observed a stark contrast between the two places. On one side was the Libyan desert, a vast, lifeless sea of sand without any vegetation or signs of life. On the other side was the Nile river valley, which was green, fertile, and densely populated. This observation made him realise that the presence of water was the sole differentiating factor, single-handedly creating life, agriculture, and civilization.
3. Why is managing wastewater so important for both human health and the environment?
Managing wastewater is critically important for two main reasons. For human health, untreated wastewater often contains harmful bacteria, viruses, and faecal matter, which can contaminate drinking water sources and spread deadly diseases like cholera and typhoid. For the environment, releasing wastewater pollutes rivers and lakes, harms aquatic life by depleting oxygen, and reduces the overall availability of clean, fresh water for everyone.
4. What are the main differences between primary and secondary wastewater treatment?
The main difference between primary and secondary wastewater treatment lies in their method and purpose.
- Primary Treatment is a physical process where water is held in a tank to allow heavy solids to sink to the bottom and lighter particles like grease to float to the top. It mainly removes large, solid materials.
- Secondary Treatment is primarily a biological process that uses microorganisms to consume and break down dissolved organic matter and pollutants that remain after primary treatment. Methods like aeration and biofiltration are used to further purify the water.
5. How can releasing untreated sewage create a 'dead zone' in a river or lake?
When untreated sewage enters a water body, bacteria begin to decompose the organic waste. This decomposition process consumes large amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water. If too much sewage is present, the oxygen level can drop so low that fish and other aquatic organisms cannot survive. This leads to the area becoming a ‘dead zone’, where life is largely absent due to the lack of oxygen.
6. Why is industrial wastewater often considered more hazardous than domestic wastewater?
Industrial wastewater is considered more hazardous because, unlike domestic wastewater which is mostly organic, it often contains a complex mix of harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and other toxic substances. These pollutants are not easily broken down by natural processes and can be extremely difficult and expensive to treat. They can cause severe, long-term damage to the environment and pose significant health risks.
7. What are some of the main sources of wastewater in our society?
The main sources of wastewater can be categorised into three sectors:
- Domestic Sector: This includes sewage from toilets, as well as water from kitchens, laundry, and washrooms in our homes.
- Industrial Sector: This includes waste from factories, manufacturing plants, and construction sites, often containing harmful chemicals.
- Agricultural Sector: This includes runoff from fields containing fertilisers and pesticides, as well as animal waste.
8. How does water help regulate the Earth's temperature?
Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb and store a large amount of heat without its own temperature increasing significantly. The Earth's vast oceans absorb heat from the sun during the day and in the summer, which helps cool the atmosphere. They then slowly release this heat at night and during the winter, which helps warm the atmosphere. This moderating effect prevents extreme temperature fluctuations and helps keep our planet's climate stable.
