The water treated in wastewater treatment plants is used in various areas such as industry, households, agricultural fields, and other sectors as a result of the contamination of water due to their use in industrial, domestic, and agricultural activities, causing changes in their content. Additionally, waters formed by the natural flow of surface pollution from everyday living areas to places like streets and mining sites, mixing with groundwater and source waters, are also considered wastewater.
Untreated discharges of water into nature without purification significantly adversely affect water pollution. Waters contaminated through use in homes, various industrial establishments, and agricultural areas mix with diminishing clean waters over time, further reducing the quantity of clean water available.
The release of domestic and industrial wastewater into nature in its polluted state contaminates existing natural water sources, jeopardizing aquatic life. The increasing water consumption has made the resolution of the issue of untreated wastewater released into nature or its treatment with minimal harm to the environment an important concern. Wastewater treatment plants contribute to this by treating polluted waters through purification methods, making them environmentally harmless and usable in various applications in a clean and treated form.
Uses of Treated Wastewater
Numerous factors influence the acceptability of treated wastewater reuse within a community. Projects aimed at reusing water involve considerations such as the financial status of the community, environmental consequences, and capital requirements, similar to other water and sanitation projects. Communities may have concerns related to health, making public consultation and reaching agreements with citizens crucial for the management and development of water reuse projects.
Previous research has identified factors affecting the behavioral acceptability of wastewater reuse, including the understanding of risks, the factor of disgust, specific uses of recycled water, the source of recycled water, experience and trust, perspective on nature, the cost of recycled water, and sociodemographic factors.
The usage areas of treated wastewater contribute significantly to the vital activities of the community across a broad spectrum. In addition to using wastewater in agriculture, it is utilized for aquaculture, industry, and domestic purposes.
In regions where water resources are severely limited, treated wastewater, purified using advanced treatment techniques, can be used as drinking water. This alternative use requires much more care and attention when compared to others. It can lead to critical issues rapidly in the event of any errors, so it should only be considered when necessary.
