Liquid waste management refers to procedures and practices employed to prevent the discharge of pollutants and contaminants into drain systems and water supplies that could potentially harm humans, plants, and animals that come into contact with it. Due to the devastating effects that liquid waste would have on such parties, it is crucial that industries practice safe and effective removal practices as part of their everyday business operations.
While most businesses already implement liquid waste management practices as required by law, it is not a top priority in all parts of the world and this has had a serious, negative impact. Below are reasons why liquid waste management is so important and why it should definitely take precedence in day-to-day operations.
1. Numerous choices
Liquid waste management has been successful because there are numerous methods used to guarantee the best overall outcome. There are four common methods in liquid waste management.
Composting consists of transforming any solids in waste into a fertiliser, which can be used to improve soil conditions. Incineration uses high temperatures to eliminate any solids, leaving water clean and free of contaminants. Root zoning involves water going through several steps of processing and filtering before being released into the environment. Dewatering is the process of extracting water from solid components and treating it. All of these methods are successful and allows companies to adopt the one that will best suit their needs and budget.
2. Environmental impact
Probably the most obvious benefit of liquid waste management is the impact that it has on the environment and its inhabitants. Liquid waste can contain human waste, salt, oils, solvents, and metals which could all be harmful if released into the atmosphere untreated. This waste could easily enter water supplies, lakes, rivers, and streams and lead to sickness or death in humans, plants, and animals in the vicinity.
Proper liquid waste management will prevent such negative outcomes by removing all harmful contaminants from liquids before releasing them into the environment.
3. Water is reusable
Water is in high demand with only about 3 percent of the world’s water supply deemed potable. As a result, it is crucial that clean water is not wasted. Liquid waste management processes are therefore important because they can treat water and make it useable for other purposes.
For instance, water treated through this process may not always be appropriate for consumption, but can be used in the irrigation of public areas, firefighting, concrete mixing, and washing vehicles. Using treated water in these processes will prevent cleaner water from being used and potentially wasted.
4. Prevents disease
When liquid waste is released untreated into the environment, it could potentially enter water supplies and infect people, plants, and animals with disease. Liquid waste management processes can contain these contaminants and remove them through extensive filtering procedures that block their release.
Chemicals can be added to liquids to destroy any organisms deemed undesirable or dangerous to life forms. Through these practices, liquid waste management has been instrumental in preventing disease.
5. Better standard of living
When liquid waste is permitted to sit dormant for extended periods, issues can occur. It can be unsightly and emit unpleasant odors that create a nuisance for people in the area. The waste can facilitate the presence and breeding of mosquitoes that can potentially carry deadly diseases such as Zika virus, malaria, and West Nile virus.
As liquid waste sits undisturbed in cesspools it can eventually seep into the ground, infecting soil and groundwater supplies. Liquid waste management processes are efficient because they are capable of converting waste into a substance that can be released into the environment so they do not sit intact and disturb those around it.