WHAT IS WASTE WATER ?

Wastewater refers to water that has been used in various human

activities and has become contaminated or altered in its quality as a
result. It is typically generated from domestic, industrial, commercial,
and agricultural sources. Once water is used, it carries a variety of
substances, including organic matter, nutrients, pathogens,
chemicals, and other contaminants.
COMMON SOURCES OF WASTE WATER
1.Domestic Wastewater: This is wastewater generated from households and
includes water from toilets (blackwater), showers, sinks, and kitchen drains
(graywater).
2.Industrial Wastewater: Industries produce wastewater as a result of their
manufacturing, production, and operational processes. Industrial wastewater can
contain a wide range of pollutants specific to the industry, such as heavy metals,
chemicals, organic compounds, and other contaminants.
3.Commercial Wastewater: This includes wastewater generated from commercial
establishments like restaurants, hotels, laundries, and other businesses.
4.Agricultural Wastewater: Water used in agricultural practices, such as irrigation
runoff, livestock operations, and crop washing, can also become wastewater. It
may contain pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste, and other agricultural chemicals.
5.Stormwater Runoff: Rainfall and snowmelt that run off from urban and rural
areas can pick up pollutants and become a form of wastewater known as
stormwater runoff.
SOURCE OF WATER WASTE
CHARACTERISTICS OF WASTE WATER
 PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
1.Color: Wastewater can range in color from clear to various shades of gray, brown,
or black, depending on its source and the presence of organic and inorganic
substances.
2.Turbidity: This refers to the cloudiness or haziness of the wastewater caused by
suspended particles such as silt, organic matter, and other contaminants.
3.Odor: Wastewater often has a characteristic unpleasant odor due to the presence
of various organic compounds, especially in untreated or partially treated
wastewater.
4.Temperature: The temperature of wastewater can vary depending on its source,
environmental conditions, and any heating or cooling processes it may have
undergone.
5.Total Suspended Solids (TSS): This parameter measures the concentration of
solid particles that are suspended in the wastewater, which can include organic
matter, inorganic compounds, and other particulate materials.
 CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
1.pH: Wastewater can have varying pH levels, ranging from acidic to alkaline, depending on
the substances present. pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the wastewater.
2.Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): BOD is a critical parameter that measures the
amount of dissolved oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose the organic
matter in the wastewater over a specified period. High BOD levels indicate a high organic
content, which can deplete oxygen levels in receiving water bodies and harm aquatic life.
3.Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): COD is another important parameter that measures
the amount of oxygen required to chemically oxidize both organic and inorganic
compounds in the wastewater. It provides an estimate of the total organic content and
the potential oxygen demand of the wastewater.
4.Nutrients: Wastewater can contain nutrients such as nitrogen (in various forms like
ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite) and phosphorus, which are essential for microbial growth
but can cause eutrophication and water quality issues in receiving waters if present in
excessive amounts.
5.Heavy Metals: Industrial wastewater may contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury,
cadmium, chromium, and others, which are toxic to aquatic organisms and can
bioaccumulate in the environment.
 BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
• Microorganisms:
1.Bacteria: Wastewater contains various bacterial species, including aerobic
bacteria that require oxygen for growth and anaerobic bacteria that thrive in the
absence of oxygen. These bacteria play a vital role in the decomposition of
organic matter and the nitrogen cycle in wastewater treatment processes.
2.Viruses: Wastewater may contain pathogenic viruses that can cause diseases in
humans and animals if ingested or come into contact with contaminated water.
• Organic Matter:
1.Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): BOD is a measure of the amount of oxygen
required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in wastewater. High
BOD levels indicate a high organic content and can lead to oxygen depletion in
receiving waters.
2.Total Organic Carbon (TOC): TOC measures the total amount of carbon present in
organic compounds in the wastewater. It provides an estimate of the organic
content and the potential for biological activity in the wastewater.
 WHAT IS WASTE WATER ANALYSIS
Wastewater analysis refers to the systematic process of examining and
evaluating the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of
wastewater to assess its quality, composition, and potential
environmental and public health impacts. Wastewater analysis involves
collecting wastewater samples, conducting various tests and analyses
in a laboratory setting, and interpreting the results to obtain valuable
insights into the wastewater's characteristics and properties.
 COMPONENT OF WASTE WATER ANALYSIS
(1) Physical analysis
(2) Chemical analysis
(3) Biological analysis
 PHYSICAL ANALYSIS
• This involves measuring and assessing the physical properties of
wastewater, such as color, turbidity, temperature, and total
suspended solids (TSS). Physical analysis provides information about
the appearance, clarity, and particulate content of the wastewater.
• It involves
(1) Color
(2) Order
(3) Temperature
(4) Turbidity
 CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Chemical analysis focuses on determining the concentrations of various
chemical constituents and parameters in the wastewater, including pH,
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD),
nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus), heavy metals, organic
compounds, and other specific contaminants. Chemical analysis helps
identify potential pollutants, assess the organic and inorganic content,
and evaluate the overall chemical composition of the wastewater.
 BIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
Biological analysis involves assessing the presence and abundance of
microorganisms, pathogens, and biological indicators (e.g., fecal
coliforms, Escherichia coli) in the wastewater. Biological analysis helps
identify potential health risks, evaluate the effectiveness of wastewater
treatment processes in removing pathogens, and monitor microbial
water quality.
 WHY WASTEWATER ANALYSIS IS NEEDED

Wastewater analysis is crucial for several reasons, encompassing

environmental protection, public health, regulatory compliance, and
process optimization in wastewater treatment. Here's why wastewater
analysis is needed:

(1) Environmental Protection

(2) Public Health
(3) Regulatory Compliance
(4) Process Optimization
 ENVIORNMENTAL PROTECTION
1.Assessment of Environmental Impact: Wastewater analysis helps in
evaluating the potential environmental impacts of discharging
untreated or inadequately treated wastewater into receiving waters.
It aids in identifying pollutants that can harm aquatic ecosystems,
including aquatic life, habitats, and overall water quality.
2.Monitoring and Protection of Receiving Waters: By analyzing
wastewater, authorities can monitor the quality of receiving waters
and detect any adverse changes or pollution incidents promptly. This
proactive approach aids in safeguarding natural water bodies and
ensuring their ecological balance.
 PUBLIC HEALTH
1.Identification of Health Risks: Wastewater analysis identifies and
quantifies pathogens, contaminants, and potential health hazards
present in wastewater. This information is crucial for assessing the
risks posed to public health and implementing appropriate measures
to mitigate these risks.
2.Prevention of Waterborne Diseases: Effective wastewater analysis
and treatment prevent the spread of waterborne diseases by
removing or reducing pathogens and contaminants before discharging
or reusing the water. This protects communities from potential health
threats associated with contaminated water.
 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
1.Compliance Monitoring: Wastewater analysis is essential for
demonstrating compliance with environmental regulations,
standards, and permit requirements governing wastewater
discharges. Regular monitoring and reporting of wastewater quality
data ensure that facilities adhere to legal obligations and maintain
environmental compliance.
2.Evidence for Regulatory Reporting: Accurate and reliable wastewater
analysis provides the necessary data and evidence for regulatory
reporting, permit renewals, and compliance certifications. It enables
authorities to verify that facilities meet the required standards and
criteria set forth in environmental regulations.
 PROCESS OPTAMIZATION
1.Optimizing Treatment Processes: Wastewater analysis provides
valuable insights into the characteristics, composition, and variability
of wastewater. This information enables wastewater treatment plants
to optimize their treatment processes, adjust operational parameters,
and enhance treatment efficiency and performance.
2.Resource Recovery and Sustainability: Understanding the quality and
composition of wastewater can help identify opportunities for
recovering valuable resources, such as nutrients, energy, and water,
from wastewater. This promotes sustainable practices, resource
conservation, and the development of innovative technologies for
wastewater treatment and reuse.