Cities use treatment plants to process sewage and wastewater, making it safe to discharge into a body of water or reuse for a non-potable purpose. Rural areas sometimes have wastewater service, but many outlying areas install septic tanks on each residential or commercial property to handle toilet waste. Today’s options also include composting toilets, an option used when an area lacks wastewater services, and the ground can’t sustain a septic tank.

Rural Areas and Water

But what options exist when an area lacks local water treatment? People may obtain water from a treated source and store it in large tanks or hire a well-drilling company to create a well on their property. This situation leaves designing water disposal solutions, because once used, potable water becomes gray or black water, depending on its use.

Used water from homes and businesses, often categorized as gray or black water, must be properly managed and treated to prevent environmental contamination. Gray water is wastewater generated from activities like showering, washing dishes, and doing laundry, and it typically contains fewer contaminants than black water. Black water, on the other hand, comes from toilets and may contain pathogens and other harmful substances, requiring more intensive treatment processes.

The methods for treating these types of used water vary depending on the level of contamination. Gray water can be treated using simpler filtration or biological processes, such as aerobic treatment systems or constructed wetlands. In contrast, black water treatment generally requires more advanced technologies, such as septic systems, sewage treatment plants, or anaerobic digestion, to safely break down harmful substances and ensure the water is safe for reuse or disposal.

Wastewater is a term that can certainly define many different components. There are different degrees to which water can be contaminated. In addition, many different hazardous materials can come into contact with water. However, there are companies who can effectively treat water systems. The importance of wastewater could mean the difference between clean and unsafe water. In this post, you will learn about common types of wastewater.

There are many distinctions concerning what can make wastewater. However, an important distinction can be made concerning whether you have black or graywater. These terms are used to signify what contaminants are present in a water supply. Graywater is a water that runs throughout the home but not toilets, where it could mix with human waste. Water running through sinks and bathtubs are great examples of graywater. This water is technically sewage that doesn’t contain human waste.

Blackwater contains human waste and is seen as much more hazardous than graywater. This kind of water could contain many diseases and chemicals, all mixed together. Therefore, blackwater is extremely harmful in a water supply. In addition, this water originates from common places where food has been prepared. This kind of wastewater could add possibly rotten food into a water supply.

However, these two terms can still leave out many other contaminants that create wastewater. Runoff can occur from just about anywhere including roads and industrial sites. Wastewater can occur naturally or as the result of human error. No matter who or what is at fault, there are wastewater treatment methods available for almost any situation. The importance of wastewater treatment is more concerned with getting service than what method is used, in the initial stages.

The importance of wastewater treatment cannot be denied. If you suspect that your water supply is contaminated, you should strongly consider contacting a local water treatment company. These companies can provide solutions to a wide range of wastewater. Primary treatment of wastewater will remove suspended solid waste to reduce the biochemical oxygen demand. Secondary treatment of wastewater will catch dissolved matter that was missed by the primary treatment. Some situations may require the use of a chlorine solution. Learn more about this topic here.