WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION:
Wastewater is generally divided into two categories: black water and gray
water. Black water refers to toilet waste and gray water refers to the remaining
wastewater from sinks, showers, laundry, etc. The septic tank provides primary
treatment of both types of wastewater by settling out the solids and providing
space for floating scum to be retained. Relatively clear, but not clean, water is
discharged from the septic tank to the absorption field. The soil provides for
further treatment when the waste water percolates through the soil profile.
Untreated or improperly treated wastewater contains biological contaminants
known to cause disease. Wastewater is not safe to drink, and discharging this
water directly into the environment can pose health and safety problems. After
all, this water is part of the water cycle and will eventually make its way into a
source for our water supply. The wastewater must be properly managed to
protect human and environmental health and safety.
CHARACTERISTICS OF WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT:
Temperature:
Changes in waste water temperatures affect the settling rates, dissolved
oxygen levels, and biological action.
The temperature of wastewater becomes extremely important in certain
wastewater operations has sedimentation tanks and recirculating filters.

Color:
The color of waste water containing Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is normally
gray. Black – colored waste water usually accompanied by foul odors,
containing little or no DO, is said to be septic.
Red: Blood or other industrial wastes or TNT complex
Green, Yellow: Industrial wastes not pretreated (paints etc.)
Brown or other soil color: Surface runoff into effluent, also industrial
flows
Black: Septic conditions or industrial flows.
ODOR:
Domestic waste water have a musty odor. Bubbling gas and foul odor may
indicate industrial wastes, anaerobic (septic) conditions.

Government initiatives in INDIA:

Setting-up an Energy Fund: In the Union Budget 2010-11, the government
announced the setting up of the NCEF for all funding research and innovative
projects within clean technologies. Initiating Waste Management Programs:
Government has set up JNNURM program to fund cities for developing urban
infrastructure and services. These reforms has to be effectively followed.
Budget Expansion: Plan outlay for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
has increased by 61%, from € 99M in 2009-10 to € 160M in 2010-11
Encouraging Public-Private Partnerships: Through economic incentives, both
the central and state governments are promoting PPPs for the development of
infrastructure for environmental services
Bactobots:
The BactoBots are the secret agents of wastewater treatment. These water
remediation “robots” can destroy multiple enemies at once, survive extreme
conditions, and self-destruct if things go wrong.
These BactoBots are genetically enhanced microorganisms, created using
synthetic biology. They work like machines and are programed to perform
specific tasks. It was developed by pilus energy.

Types of Bactobots:
There are currently two types of BactoBots designed for use in municipal and
industrial wastewater treatment facilities. The first, RemediBots, are added
directly to wastewater, where they can quickly metabolize over 400 organic
contaminants, including pathogenic bacteria.

GalvaniBots, the second type, provide equally thorough water remediation.

They are paired with an electrogenic bioreactor to generate electricity and
biogas. Research into exactly how much energy the GalvaniBots are capable of
producing is still being conducted.
 The wastewater is run through the fuel cell and treated inside of it. Clean
water comes out one end and energy out the other.

Both types of BactoBots appeal to wastewater treatment operators because

they can reduce levels of hydrogen sulfide, total chemical oxygen demand
(COD), soluble COD, total suspended solids (TSS), total biochemical oxygen
demand (BOD,) total organic (TOC), and more at the same time.

Because the technology behind BactoBots is cutting-edge, a security device

has been built in to the process to avoid theft and duplication. A non-toxic, non-
polluting, genetic rights management key must be added to the wastewater prior
to BactoBot use. BactoBots are programed to recognize this key, and if it isn’t
present they will self-destruct. This system also provides a level of security
against accidental release into the environment.

They can operate in anything from 5 to 50 degrees Celsius, are resistant to

heavy metal poisoning, can withstand wide swings in pH, and are able to not
only survive in the presence of other bacteria, but thrive.

According to Pilus Energy, nearly 1,100 terawatts of energy are

currently stored in our wastewater. This is enough to power over 275 million
homes annually. Developed countries continue to spend huge amounts of
money and energy transporting and treating waste through traditional methods,
which uses up around two percent of all global energy. Using their proprietary
BactoBots, the company is able to metabolize compounds in the sludge to create
electricity and biogas. The Bots are self-terminating so that they cannot spread
into the environment or be stolen. GeRM (genetic rights management key) keys
added to the feedstock allow the Bots to live and work, and then naturally
destroy themselves when the keys are not present.

The BactoBots are engineered to be housed inside a fuel cell. Waste is

added in one end, and the main chamber allows the Bots to anaerobically
metabolize organic compounds and turn them into electrons and hydrogen ions.
The electrons travel outside the cell to either power homes or devices, or to
meet up with protons to create water, methane, and isoprene that can be used to
fabricate synthetic rubber. With their technology, a device no bigger than a 40-
foot shipping container could potentially treat the waste for an entire village in a
developing nation.
Advantages of bactobots:

Reduced wastewater treatment costs. Creation of a renewable energy

source. Valuable chemical byproducts that could be used towards
renewable products. Higher quality water for both drinking and recreation.
Healthier food due to less contaminates in soil. Improved ecosystem benefits or
services and biodiversity if applied in an entire watershed.

Efficiency of bactobots:
They can produce approximately 5 kilowatts of continuous dc current per cubic
meter of waste water. Greater than 45% efficiency rate at turning waste into
energy. The anticipated cost is Rs.1.50 per kilowatt compared to Rs.9 per
kilowatt.