Community Water, Waste Management & Sewage Disposal

Community Water, Waste Management, and Sewage Disposal

• Michael David Gu, RMT is the lecturer for this course
• The course takes place in Velez College from February 17-20, 2025

Course Topic Outline

• Introduction to Environmental Health will be taught
• Water in the Community, including sources, treatment, and quality will be discussed
• Water Contamination & Safe Handling will be a topic
• Community Waste & Sewage Disposal will be taught
• Stream Pollution & Urban Runoff will be discussed
• Solid Waste Management & Recycling will all be taught
• Chemical Safety in Waste & Water Management will be discussed

Learning Objectives

• Knowing the relationship between water, waste, and public health
• Identifying water and waste contamination sources
• Learning water treatment and waste disposal methods
• Exploring sustainable waste management practices
• Recognizing chemical safety protocols in waste and water management

Environmental Health

• Environmental health examines external factors affecting human well-being
• Key components include water and air quality, waste management, and sanitation & hygiene
• Water quality ensures clean drinking water and wastewater management
• Air quality focuses on pollution control and emission reduction
• Waste management involves proper disposal, recycling, and composting
• Sanitation & hygiene include toilets, handwashing, and disease prevention
• Poor environmental health can lead to disease outbreaks, pollution, and ecosystem damage
• Unsafe water and poor sanitation contribute to millions of preventable deaths each year

Impact of Poor Water & Waste Management

• Health impacts include diarrheal diseases, cholera, and typhoid from contaminated water
• Exposure to waste increases respiratory infections and skin diseases
• Environmental impacts include marine life destruction from polluted rivers and lakes
• Open dumps contribute to air and soil pollution
• Poor sanitation increases healthcare costs
• Contaminated environments reduce tourism and economic growth

Importance of Water

• The human body is 70% water, essential for survival
• Uses of water: safe hydration, food preparation, bathing, washing and cleaning
• Water is used for: irrigation, food production, and manufacturing
• 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water
• Climate change and pollution reduce water availability

Sources of Water

• Surface water sources: rivers, lakes, and reservoirs
• Groundwater sources: aquifers, wells, and springs
• Rainwater Harvesting includes rooftop catchment systems, surface runoff harvesting, rain barrels & storage tanks

Surface Water Sources

• Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs
• It's the most common source of drinking water in urban areas
• Examples of rivers include the Nile, Amazon, and Ganges
• Examples of lakes include Victoria, Michigan, and Baikal
• Reservoirs are man-made lakes storing water for human use
• It is easy to access & can store large amounts of water
• Surface water sources are highly vulnerable to pollution from industrial waste, sewage, and chemicals
• It requires treatment before consumption

Groundwater Sources

• Groundwater is stored beneath the earth's surface in aquifers, wells, and springs
• It is naturally filtered through soil and rock layers
• Wells & boreholes provide access to underground water for drinking and irrigation
• Springs are a natural outflow of groundwater
• Generally cleaner because of natural filtration and less exposed to pollution
• Over-extraction can deplete groundwater levels
• There is a risk of contamination from septic tanks, industrial chemicals, and pesticides

Rainwater Harvesting

• The process of collecting and storing rainwater for household, agricultural, or industrial use
• Rooftop Catchment Systems involve water collected from rooftops and stored in tanks or underground reservoirs
• Surface Runoff Harvesting Rainwater collected from the ground into ponds, dams, or underground reservoirs
• Rain Barrels & Storage Tanks are used for small-scale collection for gardening and household use
• Provides a free and sustainable water source, helps recharge groundwater levels, and reduces stormwater runoff.
• Requires proper filtration to prevent contamination
• Rainwater harvesting is not effective in low rainfall areas and has high installation costs for large systems

Water Treatment Methods

• Natural water sources often contain bacteria, viruses, sediments, and chemical pollutants
• Treatment ensures water is safe for drinking and household use

Water Treatment – Boiling

• Water is heated to 100°C (212°F) to kill microorganisms
• Boiling eliminates bacteria, viruses, and parasites
• Boiling doesn't remove chemical pollutants like lead, mercury, or pesticides

Water Treatment - Filtration

• Water is passed through porous materials (sand, ceramic, activated carbon) to remove contaminants
• Filtration removes dirt, debris, and some bacteria.
• Activated carbon filters remove chlorine and organic compounds
• Filtration does not remove viruses or dissolved chemicals unless specialized filters are used
• 5-Stage Filtration removes up to 99.6% of Total Dissolved Solids

Water Treatment – Comparison of Boiling vs. Filtration

• Boiling removes bacteria and viruses but not chemicals effectively, best for households and emergency use
• Filtration removes bacteria to some degree, does not remove viruses effectively, and removes some chemicals, best for continuous clean water supply.

Water Treatment – Chlorination

• Adding chlorine to water to kill waterborne bacteria, viruses, and parasites
• Chlorination is used in municipal water systems worldwide
• Chlorination can produce chemical by-products that may affect taste

Water Treatment - UV

• Exposing water to ultraviolet light to disinfect it
• UV kills bacteria, viruses, and protozoa
• UV requires electricity; making it unfeasible in rural areas

Large-Scale Water Treatment Plants

• Coagulation & Flocculation: Chemicals are added to bind dirt particles
• Sedimentation: Heavy particles settle to the bottom
• Filtration: Water passes through sand and charcoal filters
• Disinfection: Chlorine or ozone kills remaining bacteria
• Storage & Distribution: Clean water is stored and sent to homes

Physical and Chemical Water Contaminants

• Physical contaminants include sediments, soil, and plastic debris common in surface water
• Cloudy water (turbidity) affects appearance and quality
• Chemical contaminants include heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic) that cause poisoning and organ damage
• Common chemical contaminates include pesticides, fertilizers from agricultural runoff, and industrial waste (oil, chemicals, pharmaceuticals), which are hazardous pollutants

Microbial Water Contaminants

• Bacteria include E. coli, Salmonella, and Vibrio cholerae, causing severe gastrointestinal diseases
• Viruses include Hepatitis A, Norovirus, and Rotavirus, causing stomach flu and liver infections
• Protozoa include Giardia and Cryptosporidium that are found in untreated water sources

WHO & National Water Quality Standards

• Drinking water should have zero coliform bacteria per World Health Organization (WHO) standards
• Maximum contaminant levels for heavy metals and chemicals are set by WHO standards
• pH should be between 6.5 - 8.5 for safe consumption following WHO standards
• Countries have their own water safety regulations
• Regular water testing ensures compliance with health standards

Testing for Microbial Contamination

• Coliform Bacteria Test detects fecal contamination
• Turbidity Test measures water clarity
• Pathogen-Specific Tests identify cholera, typhoid, and other harmful microorganisms

Testing for Chemical Contaminants

• Lead and arsenic testing help to detects heavy chemicals
• pH analysis ensures safe acidity levels
• Nitrate and nitrite testing prevents contamination from fertilizers

Safe Water Collection & Transport

• Use sealed, clean containers for water storage
• Avoid direct hand contact with drinking water
• Use covered buckets or jerry cans to prevent contamination

Safe Water Storage

• Keep water in cool, dark places to prevent bacterial growth
• Use airtight lids to prevent contamination
• Clean storage containers regularly with mild disinfectants

Preventing Recontamination

• Separate clean and dirty water containers
• Avoid dipping hands or dirty utensils into stored drinking water
• Disinfect storage tanks and pipelines regularly

Types of Waste

• Organic Waste: Food scraps, garden waste, agricultural residues, can be composted into fertilizer
• Recyclable Waste: Paper, plastic, glass, metals, can be reused or processed into new products
• Hazardous Waste: Batteries, medical waste, chemicals, toxic materials, requires special disposal methods
• Industrial Waste: Byproducts from factories, power plants, refineries, can include chemicals, heavy metals, and toxic sludge

Solid vs. Liquid

• Solid Waste: Household garbage, plastics, metals, paper, construction debris, can be recycled, composted, incinerated, or landfilled
• Liquid Waste: Sewage, industrial wastewater, chemicals, oil spills requires treatment before disposal

Consequences of Improper Waste Disposal

• Pollutants seep into groundwater, rivers, and lakes
• Toxic waste makes soil infertile and harmful for agriculture
• Burning waste releases toxic gases and greenhouse emissions
• Waste attracts disease-carrying pests (rats, flies, mosquitoes)
• The risk of respiratory infections, food poisoning, and waterborne diseases increases

Methods of Solid Waste Disposal

• Landfilling is the most common method but causes groundwater contamination
• Incineration is burning waste to reduce volume, but releases air pollutants
• Composting converts organic waste into fertilizer for farming
• Recycling reduces waste by reusing materials like glass, paper, and plastic

What is Sewage?

• Wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries
• Components include human waste (feces, urine), soaps, detergents, food scraps and industrial chemicals, grease, and heavy metals
• Sewage can carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites
• Causes waterborne diseases if untreated

Septic Tanks & Sewage Plants

• Septic Tanks are small-scale wastewater treatment for rural areas requiring regular emptying and maintenance
• Sewage Treatment Plants are large-scale systems that process municipal wastewater using biological and chemical treatments to remove contaminants

Impact of Poor Sewage Management

• Wastewater seeps into rivers and groundwater causing water contamination
• Increases risk of cholera, hepatitis, and dysentery causing disease spread
• Kills fish and marine life due to oxygen depletion resulting in environmental damage

Wastewater Treatment Steps

• Screening removes large objects (plastic, sticks, cloth)
• Primary Treatment allows solids to settle, grease and oil are skimmed
• Secondary Treatment uses bacteria to break down organic matter
• Tertiary Treatment uses advanced filtration removes remaining contaminants
• Disinfection uses Chlorination or UV light kills harmful bacteria

Stream Pollution

• Stream pollution occurs when harmful substances enter rivers, lakes, and streams
• Industrial waste from factories discharges chemicals and heavy metals into rivers
• Sewage discharge means untreated wastewater enters streams increasing bacteria and nutrient pollution
• Agricultural runoff's fertilizers, pesticides, and livestock waste contaminate water sources
• Plastic pollution from plastic debris clogs waterways and harms fish and birds
• Can lead to unsafe drinking water requiring expensive treatment
• Causes a loss of biodiversity through death of fish and aquatic life
• Dead Zones result from excess nutrients that cause algal blooms that deplete oxygen

Urban Runoff

• Rainwater that flows over streets, sidewalks, and rooftops, collecting pollutants before draining into waterways
• Common Pollutants: Oil & grease from vehicles, heavy metals from roads, pesticides & fertilizers from lawns, litter, plastic debris, and pet waste
• Impacts: Overwhelms drainage systems, increases flooding risks, introduces toxins and bacteria into rivers & reduces water quality, and affects aquatic life

How Agricultural Waste Pollutes Water

• Pesticides & Herbicides are harmful chemicals that wash into rivers, contaminating drinking water
• Fertilizers (Nitrates & Phosphates) excess nutrients cause algal blooms; which deplete oxygen
• Livestock Waste animal feces introduce E. coli and other bacteria into water
• Impact on Ecosystems & Human Health are dead Zones, fertilizers excess lead to low oxygen levels, killing fish
• Drinking Water Contamination: Nitrates in water cause blue baby syndrome in infants
• Spread of Waterborne Diseases occurs from animal waste introduces harmful bacteria into rivers

Strategies to Prevent Water Contamination

• Improve Wastewater Treatment through upgraded sewage plants and the promotion of community sanitation projects
• Reduce Chemical Use in Farming by using organic pesticides and fertilizers while practicing crop rotation and natural pest control
• Implement Green Infrastructure and the creation of vegetative buffer zones near rivers alongside the installation of permeable pavements to reduce runoff

Waste Segregation & The 3Rs

• Reduce waste by using eco-friendly alternatives
• Reuse items instead of throwing them away
• Recycle old materials into new products; for example, plastic bottles can be recycled into textile fibers.

Collection, Storage, & Transport of Waste

• Household Collection has waste bins for biodegradable, recyclable, and non-recyclable waste
• Municipal Waste collection includes garbage trucks that collect and transport waste to disposal sites
• Industrial Waste Transport: Factories separate hazardous waste for proper treatment

Handling & Storage of Hazardous Chemicals

• Proper handling is important because it prevents chemical spills and contamination of water sources, and reduces exposure to toxic and corrosive substances
• Label hazardous materials properly (clear warnings and hazard signs)
• Store chemicals in secure, ventilated areas, away from food and drinking water
• Use protective equipment (gloves, masks, goggles) when handling dangerous chemicals

Risks of Chemical Contamination in Water & Waste

• Chemical Contamination of industrial waste dumping into rivers and lakes; improper disposal of household chemicals and agricultural runoff
• Heavy metals(lead, mercury, arsenic)cause health risks, lead to nerve damage and poisoning
• Pesticides, herbicides, and chemical residues in water are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and long term chronic illnesses.

Safe Disposal of Chemicals & Regulations

• Government Regulations have strict guidelines for hazardous waste disposal from the EPA, as well as requirements for industries to treat chemical waste before disposal
• Specialized hazardous waste facilities for industrial chemicals
• Community collection centers for household chemicals
• Promotion of biodegradable & eco-friendly alternatives are promoted

The Role of Government Policies in Waste Management

• Regulate industrial waste disposal to prevent illegal dumping and fine violators and encourage public awareness and environmental education
• Key Policies & Regulations include the Clean Water Act, Extended Producer Responsibility, and Plastic bans & Waste Reduction Laws

Summary of Key Takeaways

• Proper waste and water management prevent pollution and disease
• Sustainable practices like recycling and composting reduce landfill waste
• Government policies play a key role in regulating waste disposal
• Community participation is essential for effective waste management

Challenges in Waste & Water Management

• Lack of awareness & public participation
• Limited infrastructure for waste disposal in rural areas
• High costs of sustainable waste management

Future of Waste & Water Management

• Advancements in waste-to-energy technologies
• Expansion of recycling and biodegradable packaging
• More government policies to combat pollution

Call to Action

• Reduce waste by avoiding single-use plastics.
• Recycle and compost whenever possible.
• Support policies for better waste and water management.
• Educate others about the importance of sustainability.