The Importance of Proper Wastewater Disposal
Untreated sewage is a serious concern for our health and the environment. Sewage, which is wastewater produced by residential units, businesses, and industries, contains human waste that carries a multitude of bacteria and viruses. When untreated sewage flows into natural bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and oceans, it can do severe damage to aquatic life.
Unless the wastewater is adequately treated, the harmful microorganisms found in sewage can cause the outbreak of an epidemic such as cholera, dysentery, or typhoid if they end up in drinking water.
How sewage is treated
Sewage treatment is a process that comprises several steps, which include sifting out large solids, settling of grit, running water through a series of filtering tanks, and biological processing. During the last phase, aerobic organisms break up organic matter. There is also the option of chemical treatment to remove toxic waste and bring pH to a desirable level.
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) operates six water resource facilities including the Western Branch, Piscataway, Parkway, Seneca, Damascus, and Hyattstown. Not only are they responsible for ensuring drinking water is safe and clean, but they are also responsible for properly treating wastewater in a cost-effective way.
How wastewater ends back in the system
After sewage passes through a water treatment plant, it often flows directly into waterways used for irrigating crops. Regulations on using treated wastewater differ from state to state, but in general, the facility treatment is often not enough to eliminate toxic waste. Legal loopholes and insufficient testing requirements mean that the water returned to the community may not be safe. Scientists must do more independent research to reach conclusive results on this issue.
In addition to wastewater that has undergone treatment, billions of gallons of untreated sewage escapes the sewer systems across the United States each year. This waste is polluting water sources like the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers and potentially spreading infectious diseases and putting sensitive groups – such as pregnant women, children, elderly, and people with compromised immune systems – at higher risk.
Can you trust the water in your tap is safe to drink?
Many water treatment plants have been built shortly after the passing of the Clean Water Act in 1972. Since then, without sufficient ongoing investment, many of those treatment plants have become outdated and are not able to cope effectively with the onslaught of pollution that is threatening American water sources. This problem, combined with sewage pipes that are often rusted and leaking, leads to many documented cases of disease from polluted drinking water.
Preventing the leakage of untreated wastewater into American waterways is the only way to ensure that United States residents have access to clean drinking water. Sewage pipes that are past their effective life should be replaced, and water treatment plants need to be upgraded. However, this process is expensive and can take a long time. There is no knowing if and when the government will make it a priority.
Ensure your family’s health and safety
With the sources of drinking water being so vulnerable due to a multitude of hazardous substances, many people no longer feel safe doing something as simple as drinking a glass of water from the tap. Bottled water isn’t a real solution either, being expensive or inconvenient in the long run. In fact, studies have shown that some bottled water is not any better for you (or even worse) than tap water.
If you want to make sure your family always has access to clean water, Hague Quality Water of Maryland can help you with installing a water filtration system.
Our top water treatment solution, the Hague WaterMax® BEQ filtration system, will provide your home or business with water that is filtered and clean, and you will no longer need to worry about issues such as sediment, hard water, or the taste of chlorine. You will also cut back on your plastic use environment if you rely on bottled water regularly.
The first step is a water test to determine exactly what is in your home’s water. If your water requires treatment to remove contaminants, contact a water treatment specialist in your area. Water treatment companies with certification from the Water Quality Association provide a high level of service and knowledge to design a system that brings the best water to your home and family.
Based in Maryland, our water quality experts will be happy to answer your call at (410) 757-2992. We can provide a free water test for new customers and explore the best water filtration options for your household.