The waste in our wastewater | Kimberly Cole | TEDxStLouis

Summary

In this insightful talk, an environmental engineer explains the human connection to wastewater and its impact on water systems. The speaker discusses the essential role of wastewater treatment plants, where microorganisms break down waste, and highlights how industries contribute to the pollution of water with harmful chemicals like PFAS. By raising awareness of the challenges posed by these pollutants, the talk emphasizes the importance of conscious consumption and water conservation. It also touches on the future of water recycling systems, encouraging public support for water infrastructure improvements to ensure a sustainable future for our water resources.

Takeaways

• 😀 Wastewater treatment is a crucial process to ensure that pollutants from households and industries are removed before water is returned to rivers.
• 😀 The water cycle is a natural process of evaporation and precipitation, but human activities like water extraction and wastewater disposal complicate this cycle.
• 😀 Humans consume less than 10% of the Earth's fresh water, while agriculture and industry use the remaining 90%, contributing to the pollution in wastewater.
• 😀 Industries, such as beer manufacturing, use large amounts of clean water, and much of this turns into wastewater, highlighting the hidden environmental cost of products.
• 😀 Wastewater treatment involves microorganisms (bugs) that break down organic waste like human waste, but these bugs can be harmed by toxic chemicals.
• 😀 PFAS (forever chemicals) are man-made pollutants that persist in the environment and are difficult to remove from wastewater, posing a significant challenge to water treatment.
• 😀 The growing use of circular water systems, such as 'toilet to tap,' shows how treated wastewater is being reused instead of relying on natural water sources.
• 😀 Responsible consumer behavior, such as avoiding disposable wipes and grease down the drain, can reduce the pollutants that enter wastewater systems.
• 😀 The public water system faces challenges including aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, and new regulations, requiring investment and support for modernization.
• 😀 People are encouraged to support companies that are environmentally responsible and make informed choices about the products they use to help minimize wastewater pollution.
• 😀 The future of water management requires better data on pollutants and more advanced treatment processes to address the growing complexities of wastewater pollution.

Q & A

What is the role of an environmental engineer in managing wastewater?

An environmental engineer evaluates data from municipalities and industries to regulate wastewater, ensuring that it is properly treated before being released back into the environment.

How does wastewater from homes differ from wastewater from industries?

While both wastewater types require treatment, industrial wastewater tends to contain different pollutants, often more hazardous and complex than the waste produced by households, which is primarily organic.

How does the wastewater treatment process work?

Wastewater treatment involves physical and biological processes to remove contaminants. Microorganisms 'eat' organic waste, while other pollutants, such as ammonia and phosphorus, are filtered out in more advanced stages.

What is the 'toilet to tap' concept, and why is it becoming more common?

The 'toilet to tap' concept refers to reusing treated wastewater as drinking water. This approach skips the river in the water cycle, sending treated wastewater directly to the tap to ensure a more sustainable and circular water system.

Why is wastewater so important to our water cycle?

Wastewater plays a critical role in the water cycle by being treated and returned to rivers, which are key sources of drinking water. What goes down the drain impacts the quality of water that eventually reaches our taps.

How does industry water usage compare to household water usage?

Industries use about 90% of the water supply, whereas households account for less than 10%. Industries typically use more water for manufacturing processes and generate larger quantities of wastewater.

What are PFAS, and why are they a problem for water systems?

PFAS are man-made chemicals used in products like non-stick cookware and firefighting foam. They are difficult to break down and can accumulate in water supplies, posing long-term health and environmental risks.

What are the challenges that wastewater treatment facilities face in dealing with PFAS?

PFAS are resistant to standard wastewater treatment processes, meaning they can pass through the system and enter rivers. These chemicals require advanced treatment methods to remove, and even with new regulations, it will take years and billions of dollars to address the issue.

Why is it important for consumers to be aware of the waste they contribute to wastewater systems?

Consumers can help reduce pollution by being mindful of what goes down the drain, such as avoiding flushing wipes or pouring grease down the sink. This can reduce the burden on wastewater treatment and improve overall water quality.

What are some ways individuals can reduce their environmental impact on water systems?

Individuals can reduce their impact by choosing environmentally responsible products, reducing plastic use (like avoiding bottled water), and being cautious of what goes down the drain, such as not flushing non-biodegradable items.