Wastewater Story

Wastewater – The polluted water that is generated from various domestic, industrial and agricultural activities is
called Wastewater.

Potable water – Clean water that is fit for drinking.

Sewage – Wastewater flowing through the drainage pipes is called Sewage.

Industrial effluents – Wastewater coming out of various industries is known as Industrial effluents.

Water borne diseases - cholera, jaundice, typhoid, diarrhoea, hepatitis and dysentery etc.

Sewerage System – Sewage or Sewerage system is a network of pipes that collects Wastewater or Sewage and
carries it to the Sewer mains of the city. The current sewerage system has two categories domestic and industrial
and storm sewers.

Sewers – The pipes that carry sewage are called Sewers.

Manhole – The drain pipes from each house is connected to a sewer main of the city. The junction at which these
pipes connect to a sewer main form a covered opening called the Manhole. The manhole are located at a distance of
about 50 to 60 m. Manhole are covered with a lid and allow easy access to a person to enter the sewer for the
maintenance work.

Clarified Water - The water obtained after primary treatment in sewage treatment plant is called Clarified water.

Scum – The floating material such as oil or grease on the surface of the wastewater is called Scum.

Aerator – A device used to blow air into clarified water.

Anaerobic Bacteria – Which do not require oxygen for growth.

Aerobic Bacteria – Which requires oxygen for growth.

Difference between Grey water and Black water- Wastewater can be divided into two parts, grey water and black
water.

1. Water which comes out of kitchen sinks, showers and washing machines is called grey water whereas that
comes out of toilets and urinals is called black water.
2. Around the world, grey water and black water are treated separately. However, in India both waters are
mixed in the drainage pipes or sewers.

Sources of Wastewater – Main sources of wastewater are domestic, industrial and agricultural.

1. Domestic Wastewater – Wastewater that comes out of kitchen, sinks, washing machine, bathroom, and
toilets.
2. Industrial Wastewater- Wastewater generated from various industries like paint industry, dye industry,
hospital, construction industry and mining industry.
3. Agricultural Wastewater – Wastewater generated during farming activities.

Major Constituents /Composition of Wastewater – Major Constituents /Composition of Wastewater are listed
below:

1. Organic matter such as dead plants, spoiled vegetables, urine, hair, food items, human faeces etc.
2. Inorganic matter such as sand, soil, grit, cement along with nitrates, sulphates and metals.
3. Big size pollutants such as plastic pieces, napkins, paper, polythene sheets.
4. Chemicals such as soaps, detergents, fertilisers, chemicals from factories etc.
5. Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia, hydrogen sulphate.
6. Emulsions such as paints, adhesives etc.
7. Microorganisms such as bacteria and parasitic worms.
Q. How microorganisms decrease oxygen level in untreated water?

Ans. Wastewater or sewage allow growth of various microorganisms due the presence of materials such as plants
and animals remains, food particles, human excreta etc. Microorganisms such as bacteria, algae and fungi
decompose these materials by using dissolved oxygen in the water to obtain energy. The decrease levels of dissolved
oxygen may lead to the death of the aquatic plants and animals.

Harmful effects of untreated Wastewater:

1. Death of aquatic plants and animals

2. Growth of algae on the wastewater form a blanket like cover on the water surface. This blocks the sunlight,
due to which aquatic plants can not photosysthesise which leads to their death.
3. Untreated water contains many microorganisms and can cause many water borne diseases like cholera,
jaundice, typhoid, diarrhoea, hepatitis and dysentery etc.
4. Untreated water can pollute surface and underground water.
5. Untreated water can lead to dirty and stinking surroundings.
6. Untreated water is a breading place for the flies and mosquitoes.

Wastewater treatment: Wastewater arriving at sewage treatment plant undergoes a series of physical, chemical
and biological processes in three stages – Primary treatment, Secondary treatment and Tertiary treatment.

Primary treatment – This is physical treatment like removal of large solids and macro particles such as sand and
pebbles. The process is divided into three stages: Screening, Gritting and Sedimentation.

1. Screening – With the help of Bar screens or strainers large objects like plastics, tins, sticks are removed from
wastewater. The solid waste collected at the end is disposed in the landfill.
2. Grit Removal – After screening the sewage is passed through sand and grit removal chamber. Here, the
suspended sand and grit in wastewater settles down in optimum time.
3. Primary sedimentation – After grit removal, wastewater is transferred to a large tank and stored for 8-10
hours. This allows the solid waste called Sludge to settle down by process of sedimentation. The sludge is
then transferred to a large closed tank called digester tank. Here, it is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria to
produce biogas. The floating material such as oil of grease called Scum are skimmed off using big skimmers.
The leftover sludge is used as manure. The water obtained after primary treatment is called Clarified water.

Secondary treatment – The clarified water obtained at the end of primary treatment contains large amount of
particles of human waste, food waste, soaps etc which undergoes biological treatment which includes following
steps:

Q. Name and explain first stage of secondary wastewater treatment.

1. Aeration – Clarified water obtained at the end of primary treatment passed into the aeration tank. Clarified
water contains aerobic bacteria in it. Organic waste is broken down with the help of the bacteria. Air is
bubbled through the clarified water with the help of Aerator to provide oxygen to help bacteria grow rapidly
in water. Aerobic bacteria decompose most of the organic matter still present in the sewage into harmless
substances.
2. Secondary Sedimentation – From aeration tank treated clarified water is taken into the secondary
sedimentation tank. After several hours aerobic bacteria used in aeration tank settle down at the bottom as
an activated sludge. Water above activated sludge is taken out using drying beds. Dried sludge is used as
manure and remaining activated sludge is sent to digester tank for biogas production.

Tertiary or Chemical treatment – In this step, the treated water passes through disinfection chamber. Here, bacteria
is killed by adding chlorine or exposing to ultraviolet rays.

Finally, the wastewater treatment is completed and the water is safe to release into the water bodies.

Onsite sewage system – In case of places where no proper sewage systems available, alternative methods like septic
tanks and chemical toilets of sewage treatments are used for better sanitation. These methods are called onsite
sewage system.
Q. Explain construction of Septic Tanks.

Septic Tanks – Septic tank is mostly found in areas with no connection to the main sewage. Septic tank is a
watertight box, usually made of concrete or fiberglass, with an inlet and outlet pipe. The solid waste settles down to
give sludge which is further decomposed by anaerobic bacteria present in wastewater. The water is allowed to flow
through the outlet into the drain field.

Chemical Toilets – Chemical toilets are set up in areas wgere proper sewer systems are not available. These toilets
collets human excreta in a holding tank and use certain chemicals to minimise its order. The holding tank needs to be
emptied frequently as it not connected to any hole in ground. Typically these chemicals are coloured When they are
mixed with enough amounts of urine and faeces, they change their colour. This change in colour is an indicator for
emptying the holding tank.

Q. Give one difference between Sanitation and Hygiene.

Ans. Sanitation refers to public health by providing clean drinking water and proper disposal of human waste
whereas hygiene refers to preventing human contact from hazards of waste to promote good health.

Reducing wastewater at its source- Some measures that can be adopted to reduce wastewater generation:

1. Safe disposal of waste generated by us.

2. Inform concern authorities in case of any leakage in drainage.
3. Household waste like oil and fat containing products, large solids waste should not be put in drain, as it may
clog the drains.
4. Chemicals should not be put in drain.
5. Plastic and polythene bags should not be thrown in water bodies.
6. We must educate people about proper disposal of wastewater.
 Light
Light- Light is a form of energy and an electromagnetic radiation, which causes the sensation of vision.

Rectilinear propagation of light- The tendency of light to propagate in straight line is called rectilinear propagation
of light. Light travels in straight line.

Propagation- Motion of light. Light travels not only in vacuum, but also in medias like glass, water, air etc.

Q. formation of shadows is a consequence of rectilinear propagation of light. Give reason.

Ans. Shadow- Formation of shadow is due to rectilinear propagation of light. When an opaque object is placed in the
path of the light, then the light gets obstructed by the object. This results in the formation of a shadow.

Reflection of light- When light rays fall on the surface, they bounce back and their direction changes. This is called
reflection of light. The reflection of light occurs when light falls on a smooth or polished surface. Silver is the best
reflector of light, it is used to coat one side of the mirrors.

Incident ray and Reflected ray- The incoming ray or the ray which hits the surface is called the incident ray and the
ray that gets reflected off the surface is called the reflected ray.

Regular reflection of light- The reflection of light from a plane or smooth surface called regular reflection of light.

Irregular or diffused reflection of light- The reflection of light from a rough or non-uniform surface is called irregular
or diffused reflection of light.

Types of images – Real & Virtual images.

Real image – A real image is formed when light rays coming from an object meet each other at a particular point
after reflection. A real image is always inverted and can be obtained on a screen. For example, image formed on the
cinema screen with the help of a projector. We see everything around us with the help of real image formed on the
retina of our eye.

Virtual image- A virtual image is formed when light rays coming from an object do not meet each other, but apper to
meet at a definite point after reflection. A virtual image is always upright and can not be seen on a screen. For
example, images formed by the mirrors are virtual images.

Plane mirror – A plane mirror is a mirror with a flat surface with a thin silver layer on its back.

Characteristics of images formed by a plane mirror –

1. An image formed by a plane mirror is always virtual, because reflected rays from the surface of the plane
mirror do not meet at a particular point.
2. An image formed by plane mirror is always upright.
3. An image formed by a plane mirror is of the same shape, size and at same distance.
4. An image formed by a plane mirror is always laterally inverted.

Q. An object is placed at a distance of 5m from a plane mirror. If the object moves 3m away from the mirror. What
would be the distance between the mirror and the image of the object?

Ans. The image distance and the object distance from the plane mirror are always equal to one another.

Initial distance of object and mirror = 5m.

Distance between the object and the mirror once it moves 3m away from the mirror = 5+3 = 8m.

As the image distance and object distance from the mirror always same, distance between the mirror and the image
= 8m.
Lateral inversion-

Lateral inversion is a phenomenon in which left side of an object appears as right side in a plane mirror and vice
versa. For example, lateral inversion can be observed in an ambulance, where the term AMBULANCE is printed
laterally inverted. This is because drivers of other vehicles who are ahead of the ambulance can read in in their rear
mirrors and make way.

Spherical mirror – Reflective surface of a Spherical mirror is curved inwards or outwards.

Types of Spherical mirrors - Concave and Convex mirrors.

Concave mirror – If the part of side of the mirror which curves inwards acts as a reflecting surface, then such mirror
is called a Concave mirror. Image produced by concave mirror is a real, inverted and small at all distances except at
very close distance. When the parallel rays incident of the concave mirror, the rays meet at a focal point after
reflection.

Q5. Question bank covered below.

Convex mirror- If the part of side of the mirror which curves outwards acts as a reflecting surface, then such mirror is
called a Convex mirror. Image produced by convex mirror is always virtual, upright and small. When the parallel
rays incident of the concave mirror, the rays do not meet, but appear to meet behind the mirror after reflection.

Uses of Mirrors-

Plane mirror –

1. To make optical devices such as periscope and kaleidoscopes.

2. Used in dressing tables, shops and malls etc

Concave mirror-

1. Used in shaving mirrors.

2. Used by dentists to magnify the small parts of the teeth.
3. Used as a reflector in devices lick torch, car headlights etc.

Convex mirror-

1. Rear view mirrors in vehicles to look over the wider area

2. Used in places like shops, parking lots etc for security reasons.

Important terms of spherical mirror-

Centre of curvature (C) – Centre of sphere of the mirror

Radius of curvature (R) – Radius of sphere of the mirror

Pole (P)- Centre of mirror

Principle axis – imaginary line passing through the pole and the center of curvature of the mirror

Focus or Focal point – Point on principle axis where parallel rays meet (converge) of seem to diverge after reflection.

Focal length – distance between the focus or focal point and the pole of the spherical mirror.

Q. What type of mirror is used as a side mirror in a scooter? Why this type of mirror chosen?

Ans. Convex mirror is used as a side mirror in a scooter. Image produced by convex mirror is always virtual and
upright and can form images of objects spread over a large area. So, these help the drivers to see the traffic of a
large area behind them.
Q 12 and Q13 Question bank covered below.

Lens- It is a transparent medium bound by two surfaces of which at least one is curved. There are two types of
lenses, Concave or diverging lens and Convex or converging lens.

Q. Two different types of lenses are placed on a sheet of newspaper. How will you identify them without
touching?

Ans. We can identify the difference by looking at the size of the letters of the newspaper. If the letters appear bigger
or magnified, then the lens is a convex lens. If the letters appear smaller, then the lens must be a concave lens.

Concave lens- Both surfaces of concave lens are curved inwards. When light rays parallel to the principle axis pass
through it, it bends the rays outwards or diverges in such a way that appears to be coming out from a point called as
principle focus of concave lens. So, they are also known as diverging lenses.

A concave lens always produces virtual and upright image.

Q. The image formed by the lens is always virtual, erect and smaller in size for an object kept at different positions
in front of it. Identify the nature of the lens.

Ans. The lens is Concave lens. It always produces virtual, upright and smaller images.

Convex lens- Both surfaces of the convex lens are bulging outwards. When light rays parallel to the principle axis
pass through it, then rays converge or focus to a point on the principle axis. This point is known as principle focus of
convex lens. So, they are also known as converging lenses.

Q5 Question bank. Ravi had lens. He projected an image using the lens shown in picture given below. What change
would be observed in the image produced on the screen, if Ravi decreased the distance between the object and the
lens?

Ans. On decreasing the distance between the object and the lens, the image will start appearing bigger on the
screen. When the object is very close to the lens, the image will no longer be formed on the screen.

Q10. Question bank. Object and convex lens experiment. How will they get a real and inverted image? What will
happen to the image if candle is very close to the lens?

Ans. When the distance between the object and convex lens is large, image is real and inverted. When the distance
is very small, the image is virtual and magnified.

Use of Concave and Convex lens-

1. Concave lenses are used in cameras, projectors and flashlights etc.

2. Concave lens is used to make spectacles for people who are not able to see distant objects clearly.
3. Convex lens is used in cameras, microscopes, telescope, binoculars etc.
4. Convex lens is used to make spectacles for people who are not able to see nearby objects clearly.

Q9 Question bank. Observe the given figures carefully. The given figures show the path of light through the lenses
of different types, represented by boxes A and B. What is the nature of the lenses A and B?

Ans. Image A is Convex lens and Image B is Concave lens.

Dispersion of light- The phenomenon of splitting of a white light into seven colours spectrum when passing through
a transparent medium is called dispersion of light. Spectrum- Band of colours as in rainbow (VIBGYOR).

Q2. Question bank. State correct sequence (1-7) of colours in the spectrum formed by prism A and B, shown in
figure.

Ans. Red has highest wavelength. So, it travels less and hence bends less. Violet has least wavelength. So, it travels
more and more than other colours.

Prism A (1-7) - Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. Prism B (1-7) – Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow,
Orange, Red