Water: An Introduction
There are certain components of earth that have their own specific role in this world. Most of these components are used by humans to keep themselves healthy and sane. For instance, we can take oxygen. Homo sapiens and other mammals cannot live without oxygen. Likewise, there is another substance, which is not only precious to everyone but also necessary for everyone. That component, as we read, is water.
Water is deemed as the most vital substance, which is required for all living forms. As water contains oxygen, it carries nutrients to cells of the body. Let us learn more about water in the article.
Water and its Structure
Water is a colourless, odourless substance, which is the main constituent of the earth’s hydrosphere. It has the ability to dissolve any substance and is a solvent. Although water is colourless, it appears to be blue because of the scattering of light. The main molecules of water are hydrogen and oxygen and its structure is H2O (2 hydrogen and 1 oxygen). Even though the structure is simple, its chemical and physical properties are complicated, and not easily understandable.
Water helps living organisms in both ways. One, as a living habitat for aquatic mammals and two, as hydrating plants and animals on the land. Water can also provide food and a home for marine animals, whereas, it can also provide water for living organisms on land, through rain, as water evaporates, travels through the atmosphere from the oceans, and pours as rain on the land. From this, we can understand how essential water is for our life.
Wastewater
Water that is used or contaminated by various substances is termed as waste water. By substances it means human waste, chemical compounds, scraps, garbage, oil, and other non-hygienic substances. It has been hazardous to the health of all living organisms, especially for the people who live near the gutter or contaminated areas. People with limited supply of fresh water suffer the most.
Usage of wastewater is deemed unhealthy as it contains chemical compounds like nitrogen and phosphorus. The wastewater is mostly generated from domestic places like homes and from industrial places like factories and construction sites. The waste sometimes is not cleaned thoroughly and is dumped in vast water bodies like rivers and lakes. This causes harm to the fish and also to the people who live beside these water bodies.
Due to the chemical compounds in wastewater, when mixed with oxygen, lead to the release of hazardous gases in the atmosphere. These phenomena cause various health problems and limit the usage of river and lake water.
Components of Wastewater
A component of wastewater includes the cleaning of sewage plants by several methods. These components associated with sewage treatment plants remove harmful and contaminated substances from the wastewater before releasing them. The major components include:
Grit chamber
Comminutors
Bar screens
Pre-aeration tank
Biological filters
Primary setting tank
Secondary settling tank
Aeration tank, etc.
Wastewater From Kitchen
The wastewater from kitchen is called Sullage. They are mostly liquid wastes from the basin of the kitchen, and from the bathrooms. Kitchen water is generated without human waste contamination, so it is known as sullage waste. This water consists mostly of the waste from food, the excess liquid that was used for cooking, wastes from washing used dishes, etc.
Kitchen water is different from normally occurring sewage water because kitchen water can be reused. They can be recycled and used to water plants as plants do not require clean water like us. They can also be used to dump water in toilets for flushing. There is a vast difference between sewage and sullage water and one needs to understand it better in order to keep our environment clean.
Difference Between Sewage and Sullage
Interesting Facts
Most freshwater is available as ice.
Some water may have come from comets.
Our body consists of 70% water.
Key Features
Water consists of two molecules hydrogen and oxygen.
Water carries nutrients to cells.
Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid including sulphuric acid.
Wastewater treatment plants cost a ton. Hence why wastewater is not treated properly.
FAQs on Water Our Lifeline
1. What does the phrase 'Water is our lifeline' signify in the context of our planet?
The phrase 'Water is our lifeline' highlights the absolute necessity of water for the existence and survival of all living organisms. It is not just for drinking; water plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients to cells, supporting agriculture, and maintaining ecological balance. Without a consistent supply of clean water, life as we know it would cease to exist.
2. What is wastewater and what are its primary sources?
Wastewater is any water whose quality has been negatively affected by human influence. It is essentially used water that contains dissolved or suspended solids. The primary sources of wastewater include:
- Domestic sources: Water from homes, including kitchens, bathrooms, and toilets (sewage).
- Industrial sources: Water discharged from factories, manufacturing plants, and commercial enterprises, often containing chemical pollutants.
- Agricultural runoff: Water from farms that carries pesticides, fertilisers, and animal waste into water bodies.
3. What is the main difference between sewage and sullage?
The main difference lies in their composition and source. Sewage is wastewater that specifically contains human excreta (faeces and urine) from toilets. In contrast, sullage is wastewater generated from kitchens and bathrooms, which includes water from washing dishes, bathing, and cleaning, but does not contain human faecal matter. Sullage is generally less contaminated than sewage and easier to treat and reuse for purposes like gardening.
4. Why is water often called the 'universal solvent' and why is this property important?
Water is called the 'universal solvent' because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid. This is due to the polar nature of the water molecule (H₂O), which allows it to attract and pull apart other molecules. This property is vital for life because it enables water to carry essential dissolved nutrients, minerals, and chemicals in our bodies and in the environment, facilitating most biological and chemical processes.
5. How does untreated wastewater negatively impact the environment and aquatic life?
Discharging untreated wastewater into rivers and lakes has severe consequences. The organic waste and chemicals, like nitrates and phosphates, act as nutrients for algae, causing excessive growth in an event called an algal bloom. When these algae die, bacteria decompose them, consuming large amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water. This depletion of oxygen kills fish and other aquatic animals, destroying the entire ecosystem.
6. What is the water table and how is it affected by human activities?
The water table is the upper level of the underground surface in which the soil or rocks are permanently saturated with groundwater. Human activities can significantly lower the water table. For example, excessive pumping of groundwater for agriculture and industry depletes it faster than it can be replenished by rain. Additionally, widespread urbanisation and deforestation reduce the area for water to seep into the ground, hindering the natural process of infiltration and recharge.
7. What are the key stages or components involved in a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)?
A Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) cleans sewage and wastewater in several stages. The major components and processes include:
- Bar Screens: To remove large objects like rags, sticks, and plastics.
- Grit and Sand Removal Tank: Where the speed of the water is slowed to allow sand, grit, and stones to settle down.
- Primary Settling Tank: Where solid organic matter (sludge) settles at the bottom and lighter materials like grease float to the top.
- Aeration Tank: Air is pumped into the water to encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria that consume the remaining organic waste.
- Secondary Settling Tank: The bacteria are allowed to settle out as activated sludge, which can be reused or disposed of. The clear water is then disinfected and released.
8. What are some common diseases caused by consuming water contaminated with wastewater?
Consuming water contaminated by sewage can lead to several serious waterborne diseases. These illnesses are caused by pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites present in the waste. Common diseases include Cholera, Typhoid, Dysentery, Hepatitis A, and Giardiasis. Symptoms often involve severe diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps, highlighting the critical importance of proper water treatment.
9. Beyond large-scale treatment, what practical steps can we take to conserve water in our daily lives?
Water conservation is a shared responsibility. Simple yet effective steps at home can make a big difference. These include fixing leaky taps and pipes immediately, taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing teeth, and reusing water from washing vegetables to water plants. Adopting practices like rainwater harvesting at a community level also helps recharge groundwater and reduce dependence on municipal supply.
