WATER POLLUTION

INTRODUCTION
TYPES OF WATER
POLLUTANTS
Suspended solids (sand,
clay, organic matter, soot and
others).
Liquids (oils, solvents,
pesticides, fertilizers…).
Gases (carbon dioxide,
oxides, methane, …)
TYPES OF WATER
POLLUTANTS
Biological contaminants
(viruses, bacteria and other
organisms).
Forms of energy (heat,
radioactivity, sound, etc.).
Dissolved solids
(phosphates, metals, acids,
…).
 NEGATIVE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Overexploitation of groundwater
and surface waters.
Alteration of river regimes.
Salinization of aquifers.
POSITIVE
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACTS
Regulate the use of pesticides
and fertilizers to limit their use
and prevent groundwater pollution.
Treat waste water from
industrial and urban sources. Waste
water treatment plants (WWTP)
clean contaminated waste water.
POSITIVE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Increase the amount of
water in aquifers by
injecting fresh wáter trough
Wells.
Clean floating rubbish
from lakes, rivers, seas and
oceans.
WASTE WATER
TREATMENT PLANTS
STAGE 1: SCREENING

Screening removes large

objects like, diapers,
nappies, sanitary items,
cotton buds, face wipes
and even broken bottles,
…..
 STAGE 2: PRIMARY
TREATMENT
This involves the separation of
organic solid matter (or human
waste) from the wastewater. 
his is done by putting the
wastewater into large settlement
tanks for the solids to sink to the
bottom of the tank. The settled
solids are called ‘sludge’.
 STAGE 3: SECONDARY
TREATMENT
The water, at this stage, is put
into large rectangular tanks.
These are called aeration lanes.
Air is pumped into the water to
encourage bacteria to break down
the tiny bits of sludge that
escaped the sludge scrapping
process.
 STAGE 4: FINAL
TREATMENT
Next, the ‘almost’ treated
wastewater is passed through a
settlement tank. Here, more sludge
is formed at the bottom of the tank
from the settling of the bacterial
action.
The water at this stage is almost
free from harmful substances and
chemicals.
 FILTERED INTO RIVER
 The water is allowed to flow
over a wall where it is filtered
through a bed of sand to remove
any additional particles.
The filtered water is then
released into the river.
 POTABLE WATER
Water is used daily for personal
hygiene, cleaning, cooking…
The only water that must be
potable is a drinking water.
Potable water is water that is
safe to drink.
 POTABLE WATER
Potable water must meet
acceptable standards after being
treat.
Water treatment should remove
harmful microorganisms and
other contaminants, and leave the
water clean and clear.
POTABLE WATER
PROCESS
 POTABLE WATER
PROCESS
Coagulation stage:  Chemicals
are added to the water. Suspended
particles get stuck to the chemicals
to form 'floc'.
Sedimentation Stage: Most of
the particles are stuck to form
sediments, sinking to the bottom.
 POTABLE WATER
PROCESS
Filtration stage: As water passes
slowly through this chamber, finer
particles (sediments) are filtered.
Disinfection stage: Is applied to
kill any bacteria and other living
organisms that may be in the water.
 POTABLE WATER
PROCESS
Storage stage: The water is then
passed into large storage tanks and
left for a while for the action of
disinfection to be complete. At the
tail end of this storage tanks, huge
pipes are connected to transport
water to our homes and
workplaces..
 WAYS TO SAVE WATER AT
HOME
Place a device in the toilet
tank to reduce the volume
of water used
Use full loads in the
washing machine and
dishwasher.
WAYS TO SAVE WATER AT
HOME
Take a short shower instead
of a bath.
Turn off the tap when you
brush your teeth
Water the garden at the
coolest time of the day.
ACTIVITY 1
Why must water be treated before you drink it?
Where is it done?

ACTIVITY 2
What is a WWTP? Is the water that comes out
potable?
ACTIVITY 3
Write three ways to save water at home.

ACTIVITY 4
Rank the positive environmental impacts by
their importance.
ACTIVITY 5
Which are the water pollutants?

ACTIVITY 6
Which are the stages of a treatment plant?