Sub-Product

Wastewater is simply water that has been used and contaminated through human activities. It comes from three main sources:

1. Domestic wastewater: Water from homes (toilets, showers, sinks, laundry) containing human waste, soaps, detergents, and food residues.

2. Industrial wastewater: Water discharged from manufacturing, processing, and production facilities, often containing chemicals, metals, oils, and other pollutants specific to the industry.

3. Stormwater/runoff: Rainwater that flows over land, picking up pollutants from streets, agricultural areas, and other surfaces.

Wastewater typically contains:

• Physical contaminants: Solids, debris, and suspended particles

• Chemical contaminants: Nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus), metals, organic compounds

• Biological contaminants: Bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens

Without proper treatment, wastewater can cause environmental damage and health hazards. Treatment processes remove contaminants before the water is discharged back into the environment or reused. The goal of wastewater management is to protect public health and the environment while potentially recovering valuable resources like water, nutrients, and energy.