waste+water+disposal

Composting toilets are-negotiables. =Wastewater = Wastewater is generated through various uses, including sewage, stormwater, and water that has been used by residences, businesses, and industry. Residential wastewater includes sewage as well as the water that goes down the drain. Non-residential wastewater includes sewage and water used by schools, hospitals, retail stores, restaurants and other businesses. Wastewater from industrial sources is typically governed by specific regulations and is often handled separately. Stormwater includes runoff from streets and land that often contains residues of oil, pesticides, fertilizers, and a variety of other contaminants. Stormwater can be treated separately from wastewater, particularly in areas that receive large amounts of rain. Excessive flows can overwhelm treatment capacity and cause untreated wastes to back up, in addition to potentially reaching waterways. Regardless of how it is generated, most wastewater contains pathogens and pollutants that require treatment. Some microorganisms are beneficial in breaking down other wastes. Many solid organic wastes (human waste, food, etc) and potentially toxic substances, such as household cleaners and solvents, are also biodegradable or easily dispersed rendering their effect neutral. However, many can have negative effects on waterways, animal and plant life if not removed. One of the least visible and most essential components of a city's infrastructure is the wastewater treatment system, whose purpose is to carry away human-generated wastes and dispose them in a manner that prevents hazards to human health, reduces offensive sights and smells, and minimizes damages to aquatic ecosystems. The treatment process often takes place in several stages. The primary stage consists of separating trash and large solids through the use of filters or screens. Stones and sand to settle to the bottom, while biological and organic solids are removed in a sedimentation tank, where they separate from the liquid. This sludge is then collected and treated for disposal or for use as fertilizer. Wastewater is filtered and microbial communities are used to remove about 85 percent of the remaining organic matter in the secondary stage. The microbes feed on organic material breaking it down into harmless byproducts. The water then is passed through another filter to remove the bacteria. Some systems use aeration tanks to expose wastewater to bacteria before it is sent to a sedimentation tank. The remaining effluent is disinfected with chlorine before being released into rivers or other bodies of water. Because of concerns about chlorine, some facilities require de-chlorination prior to release, while other treatment plants use ultraviolet light or ozone for final disinfection. There is also concern that heavy metals and other toxins are not fully removed by current systems. A new concern is that treatment systems are not capable of removing pharmaceuticals, particularly hormone-based drugs. A 2002 USGS study found one or more of these substances in 80% of the streams sampled. More recent studies have found a vast array of pharmaceuticals - including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones - in the drinking water supplies of many U.S. cities. Most existing systems are a patchwork of pipes and conduits of various ages, with some parts nearly a century old. More than 700 cities across the country still have combined sewer systems, which carry both human waste and stormwater. These systems are often overburdened during heavy storms, causing untreated sewage to flood into basements or be released into nearby surface waters. It is expensive to lay upgrade these systems, especially those under densely built city streets. Since 1970, more than $123 billion dollars have been granted to cities through various EPA programs, including the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, for system upgrades; yet, many municipalities have yet to respond to the need to upgrade their aging systems.   How Sewer and Septic Systems Work This page from HowStuffworks.com offers a brief overview of how wastewater is collected and treated in an urban sewer system.  Wastewater Management This webpage, presented by the U.S. EPA, includes information on sewer overflows (combined and sanitary), stormwater, municipal technologies, and water efficiency. Information about the methods use in wastewater treatment is provided in the report // Primer for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Systems //.  Wastewater Use The Water Sanitation and Health division of the World Health Organization (WHO) gives links to guidelines for the safe use of wastewater and other publications relating to wastewater. Also available: additional resources and reports relating to the U.N.'s declaration of 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation.  D.C. Water and Sewer Authority This site gives information on the facilities used by the largest advanced wastewater treatment plant in the world. A virtual tour can also be taken to see the technology use to treat wastewater.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">DATA & MAPS
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> Wastewater The United Nations Statistical Divisions provides a global map showing the population connected to wastewater collection systems. Statistics for countries are shown along with the year the information was collected. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> Tracing Wastewater - Using Unique Compounds to Identify Sources of Contamination

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">This page from the Toxic Substances Hydrology Program of the USGS is a jumping off point to recent studies and reports identifying sources of contamination in wastewater.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">VIEWPOINTS
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> Water Recycling PBS News Hour online reports on the recycling of waste water into drinkable water for the public. A slideshow of a treatment plants and expert discussions are included on this site.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">FOR THE CLASSROOM
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> The PBS News Extra In a student-friendly article, PBS explains the latest study conducted by AP which found pharmaceuticals detected in drinking water. Related lessons plans with discussion questions are included. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> Understanding Your Water PBS provides a lesson plan by Amy Gambrill, of Washington, DC, to teach students about the source of water. [Grade 9-12] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> Wastewater?.Sewage in your Face!!! The Metro Wastewater Department of San Diego offers fun-filled activities ranging from virtual tours and sound bites of how sewage sounds to recipes for making food look like sewage. []

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[] resources on waste water etc [] [] sustainable sanitation .