Power and Water Magazine GineersNow - How Wastewater Treatment Plants Help Keep Our Water Clean

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pollutants from wastewater before it is discharged
into rivers, lakes or oceans.
Wastewater treatment also helps reduce the
amount of waste that needs to be disposed of
in landfills. Finally, wastewater treatment plants
provide economic benefits by reducing the cost
of waste disposal.
What Are the Benefits of Having a
Wastewater Treatment Plant?
A wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) helps
manage the city’s waste by transforming
pollutants and contaminants from human,
industrial and agricultural activities into safe
water and soils. Wastewater treatment plants
provide a number of benefits to city residents
and businesses, including:
Reduced environmental pollution - A WWTP
helps reduce environmental pollutants like PCBs,
nitrogen oxide, chlorine levels and fecal coliform
bacteria.
Improved public health - A WWTP is essential
for protecting the public’s health by removing
harmful contaminants from wastewater.
Enhanced economic development - A WWTP can
help spur economic development by attracting
new businesses that rely on clean water supplies.
What Are the Risks of Having a
Wastewater Treatment Plant?
There are many risks associated with wastewater
treatment plants. One of the most common is
that untreated wastewater can contain harmful
bacteria and chemicals that can contaminate
water supplies.
Additionally, untreated wastewater can also
cause environmental damage by releasing toxins
into the environment. Wastewater treatment
plants are important to protect our environment,
but they also come with a number of risks.
How Can I Support Our Local
Wastewater Treatment Plants?
Wastewater treatment plants play a critical role in
our local communities by treating and disposing
of wastewater. These plants help protect our
environment and waterways, while providing
important economic benefits to the area. It is
important to support these vital facilities by
keeping them clean and functioning properly.
This can be done by following the instructions
that are posted at the plant, as well as biannually
inspecting the plant for any signs of problems.
Additionally, donating money to the plant or
sponsoring a fundraiser can go a long way
in helping it stay operational and improving
the quality of wastewater treatment in your
community.
Antimicrobial Resistant Genes and
Wastewater Treatment Plants
Emerging evidence suggests that antimicrobialresistant
genes and organisms are being
transferred from wastewater treatment plants
(WWTPs) to the environment. This is of a global
public health concern as these genes and
organisms can contaminate water supplies and
potentially cause serious infections in people.
There are a number of ways in which
antimicrobial-resistant genes and organisms can
be transferred from WWTPs to the environment.
One way is through the release of treated effluent
into surface waters. This effluent can contain
a high concentration of antimicrobial-resistant
bacteria, which can then spread to other water
bodies via water currents.
Another way is through the discharge of sludge
from WWTPs. This sludge can contain high levels
of antibiotic resistance genes, which can spread
to soil and water systems when it is applied to
land as fertilizer.
Wastewater Treatment Plants: Surface
and Groundwater, Weathering and
Soils
Surface water and groundwater are two important
sources of water for human use. Groundwater is
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