Without a liquid waste disposal system, the world would be a lot worse off. Every society needs an effective and sustainable method to get rid of raw sewage and repurpose the water so that it is not all being wasted.
Whether it comes through water treatment plants or individual septic tanks in rural areas, maintaining a proper liquid waste disposal system is essential for proper environmental care. Here are a few ways that liquid waste disposal systems are good for the environment:
1. Run off management ensures that waste goes where it will not cause damage
Most towns and cities have an aquifer or sewage system that moves used water and liquid waste out of the home and away from densely populated areas. Basic requirements for getting rid of human sewage waste include: not contaminating surface water, not contaminating groundwater or any spring water source that people rely on, it should not come into contact with people, and it must not come into contact with insects or any other animal.
In addition, it must not be visible or exposed, and should be of a simple, cost-effective construction that lasts for years. All of these regulations essentially comply with environmental sustainability, keeping exposure and disease to a minimum while keeping local wildlife and water quality safe.
2. Collection, storage, and treatment of waste keeps groundwater clean
Just like how water run off management keeps groundwater and surface water safe from sewage exposure, septic tanks do the same through collecting and storing sewage until it can be transported en masse to a waste treatment plant after it solidifies into a sludge deposit.
This method keeps waste from infecting groundwater and surface water, as well it keeps locals and wildlife safe from raw sewage exposure. With a strong liquid waste disposal system in place, you can rest assured that even far-off locations like rural farms that do not connect to regular city sewage systems.
3. Water treatment maintains a sustainable water recycling solution
There are different levels of water purity: greywater (which can be further categorized into heavy greywater, which refers to heavily used water like water from the dishwasher, washing machine, or kitchen tap; and light greywater which includes bathroom sink water and shower water), black water (any sewage originating from a household toilet). This water goes into a water treatment plant and is handled according to its level of toxicity.
Black water must go through a processing system that breaks down the harmful pathogens in the human waste before water. Greywater can be quickly turned over for non-potable uses or treated to be reused for potable uses. Treating black water keeps it from being harmful to the environment while treating greywater can help replenish an essential resource.
