Wastewater

is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. It comprises liquid waste discharged by domestic residences, commercial properties, industry, and/or agriculture and can encompass a wide range of potential contaminants and concentrations. In the most common usage, it refers to the municipal wastewater that

waste ( feces, used toilet paper or wipes, urine, or other bodily fluids), also known as blackwater , usually from lavatories; Washing water (personal, clothes, floors, dishes, etc.), also known as grey water or sullage ; Surplus manufactured liquids from domestic sources (drinks, cooking oil, pesticides, lubricating oil, paint, cleaning liquids, etc.); Seawater ingress (high volumes of salt
Human

Effects of waste water

1. Social Aspects 2. technical Aspects

1. SOCIAL ASPECTS
Waterborne Diseases Irrigation and Agriculture Groundwater Contamination/ Pesticides

2. TECHNICAL ASPECTS
Effects on Aquatic Wildlife Effects on Plant Biomass Effects of Water Pollution on Wetlands Waste Water Treatment Plants

Waterborne Diseases
Waterborne diseases are commonly contracted when bathing in fecal- and urine-polluted streams and canals or can be transmitted by the bite of an insect vector that breeds in polluted waters. Coliform bacteria is often used as indicators of sewage contamination, and the possible presence of microbial pathogens that are hazardous to human health (Benarde, 1989). Several examples of water borne diseases are cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, which occur at a higher rate in the developing countries such as China.

Irrigation and Agriculture

Since most of the water is used for irrigation of farmlands, the lack of suitable water has decreased. Since contaminated effluents from industrial plants nearby have polluted most of the water supply, the water supply has decreased, increasing the demand for water.

Groundwater Contamination/ Pesticides

The untreated wastewater is effluent products of industrial waste containing many pesticides. Ground water is used for irrigation, industry, drinking, and rural home and stock watering (Benarde, 1989). However, with the industrial wastewater pollution containing pesticides contaminating the groundwater, the mass consumption of unhealthy water can be severe to the population s health. Groundwater containing pesticides has been indicated was carcinogens and endocrine disrupters.

Effects on Aquatic Wildlife

However, not only has the water pollution affected the environment, but also the species inhabiting the environment. Aquatic wildlife is one of the victims due to water pollution. One type of pollutant that affects the water is the physical effect, such as increased temperature (Benarde, 1989). When the heated water is discharged into the streams, the temperature of the streams increases. As a result, this may disrupt the ecological relationship between the water system and aquatic life. Even a rise in temperature of only a few degrees may be lethal to a variety of fishes and aquatic life. The death of certain species can remove the food supply of the species that prey on them and without food, they in turn will die or be forced to move downstream or to extinction. Also, most of the aquatic animals have a limited threshold on temperature changes. The abrupt temperature change may cause thermal shock to the species. Once again, since the species can not adapt to the sudden temperature change, this may cause the species to either go into extinction or migration to a more suitable environment. In addition to the adaptation problem with the temperature change, the warmed water may cause a decrease in the level of oxygen within the water. With the increased temperature and a decreased oxygen level, all chemical and biological activities are increased in terms of reaction rates.

Effects of Water Pollution on Wetlands

Wetlands are known for their vital feeding and nesting grounds for waders, feeding areas for fish-eating birds, and wintering grounds for migratory birds. Since wetlands are nurseries for many terrestrial animals and fish species by destroying the ecosystem with wastewater pollution, most of these endangered species can be driven into extinction. When the algae die and decompose they can reduce the oxygen level in the water, which can kill fish and other aquatic organisms within the wetlands. The algae also reduces the amount of light that is able to penetrate the water, which can affect the growth of other aquatic plants. With the continuation of wastewater pollution in China, the precious wetland habitat is destroyed affecting many animals inhabiting the ecosystem.