Sewage's Impact: Understanding Water Pollution's Hidden Threat

Sewage pollution is a pressing issue that poses significant risks to both human health and the environment. It occurs when sewage, comprising human waste, household chemicals, personal hygiene products, and other contaminants, escapes from sewer systems and ends up in natural water bodies. This can happen due to various factors, including sewer system blockages, insufficient capacity, structural failures, and outdated wastewater treatment infrastructure. The consequences of sewage pollution are far-reaching, leading to the spread of infectious diseases, ecological damage, and a decline in water quality. With the impact of sewage pollution extending beyond borders, it is essential to address this issue through improved waste management, infrastructure upgrades, and the preservation of natural areas to mitigate stormwater runoff.

Sewage contains harmful bacteria and viruses

Bacteria

• Salmonella spp.: One of the most common bacterial causes of gastroenteritis, with symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
• Escherichia coli: Can cause gastrointestinal infections such as diarrhea, dysentery, and gastroenteritis.
• Shigella spp.: Causes bloody diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, and can lead to seizures in children.
• Campylobacter jejuni: Causes salmonellosis, typhoid, paratyphoid, and gastrointestinal infections.
• Yersinia spp.: Can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and skin rash.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa: An opportunistic pathogen that can cause skin and respiratory infections.
• Legionella pneumophila: An opportunistic bacterium that can cause respiratory infections.
• Leptospira spp.: Causes leptospirosis, an influenza-like illness that can progress to severe disease, including kidney damage and respiratory distress.
• Helicobacter pylori: Linked to gastric ulcers and some cancers, though the transmission pathways are not yet fully understood.

Viruses

• Norovirus: Highly resistant to secondary wastewater treatment processes and can cause severe acute gastrointestinal illness.
• Rotavirus: A common enteric virus that can cause gastroenteritis, meningitis, hepatitis, and myocarditis.
• Adenoviruses: Highly resistant to secondary treatment and can cause respiratory infections and conjunctivitis.
• Hepatitis A: A liver disease that can cause jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and fever.
• Poliovirus: Can cause sore throat, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, and occasionally diarrhea. In rare cases, it can lead to paralysis.

Protozoans

• Cryptosporidium spp.: A parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, the most common waterborne disease in the US. It can lead to diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and a slight fever.
• Giardia duodenalis: A parasite that causes giardiasis, with symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and weight loss.

To protect against these harmful microorganisms, it is essential to practice good personal hygiene, use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and maintain proper sanitation and wastewater treatment practices.

Poor waste management

One of the primary consequences of poor waste management is air pollution. When waste is not collected or disposed of properly, it can release harmful gases and odours that contaminate the air. This includes the burning of waste, such as in open incinerators, which releases pollutants and contributes to respiratory diseases and other health issues.

Moreover, poor waste management leads to water and soil contamination. Untreated wastewater, including household effluent, human waste, toxic chemicals, and medical waste, is often discharged directly into drainage channels or water bodies. This pollution affects both surface water and groundwater, posing risks to ecosystems and human health. Open and unsanitary landfills further contribute to water contamination, as they can leak harmful substances into drinking water sources.

The dispersal of debris and litter from poor waste management also pollutes ecosystems. Electronic waste and industrial garbage contain dangerous substances that strain the health of urban dwellers and the environment. Additionally, sewage pollution, which includes everything flushed down toilets or washed down drains, is released into the environment through sewer overflows. This type of pollution can cause huge algae blooms, starving water sources of oxygen and resulting in the death of aquatic species.

Lastly, poor waste management has social and economic impacts. It affects public health, with water users at risk of contracting harmful illnesses, including viruses and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. It also impedes the mental and physical well-being benefits associated with engagement in ocean environments. Furthermore, marginalized social groups are disproportionately affected by the environmental and health costs of poor waste management.

Flushing non-biodegradable items

Non-biodegradable items such as wipes, diapers, personal hygiene products, and solid food waste can cause blockages in sewer pipes and pump stations. These items do not break down or disperse easily and can lead to clogs that cause raw sewage to back up into homes or overflow into streets, streams, rivers, and oceans. This can result in unsanitary conditions, spread of illnesses, and harm to aquatic life.

One of the primary culprits is "flushable" wipes, which are often marketed as a convenient and disposable option for personal hygiene. However, these wipes are not truly biodegradable and can cause significant issues in wastewater treatment plants. They have to be manually removed from the equipment, increasing maintenance costs and contributing to landfill waste. Similarly, items like diapers and sanitary products are designed to absorb moisture and expand, making it difficult for them to pass through sewer pipes and leading to blockages.

Another issue arises from the improper disposal of prescription medication. When flushed down the toilet, these drugs may not be effectively removed during the wastewater treatment process. As a result, they can end up in bays and oceans, heavily impacting wildlife and ecosystems. This can have far-reaching consequences for the environment and human health, as it affects the delicate balance of natural habitats.

To prevent sewage pollution caused by non-biodegradable items, it is crucial to properly dispose of waste in trash bins or composts. This includes items such as dental floss, hair, latex products, personal hygiene products, and solid food scraps. By being mindful of what we flush and following proper disposal guidelines, we can help reduce the impact of sewage pollution on our water systems and the environment.

In summary, flushing non-biodegradable items can have severe consequences for sewage systems and water pollution. By understanding the impact of our actions and making small changes in our waste disposal habits, we can play a vital role in protecting our environment and ensuring the safe and efficient functioning of our wastewater treatment processes.

Fats, oils, and grease block sewers

Fats, oils, and grease are a major cause of sewer blockages. Grease is a byproduct of cooking, and it can congeal and harden inside drains and sewers, leading to blockages. This can cause untreated wastewater to back up into homes and businesses, resulting in costly cleanup and restoration processes.

Grease enters the sewer system from household drains and from grease traps in restaurants and other businesses. Meat fats, lard, cooking oil, shortening, butter, margarine, food scraps, baking goods, sauces, and dairy products are all common sources of grease. When washed into the plumbing system, usually via the kitchen sink, grease sticks to the insides of sewer pipes, both on private property and in public sewer systems. Over time, this can lead to complete pipe blockages.

Home garbage disposals do not prevent grease from entering the plumbing system. They only shred solid materials into smaller pieces. Commercial additives, including detergents, that claim to dissolve grease may simply pass it further down the line, where it can cause blockages in other areas.

Overflows of raw sewage caused by grease blockages can have serious consequences. This can result in sewage overflowing into homes, parks, yards, and streets, as well as contaminating local waters, including drinking water sources. Exposure to untreated wastewater poses a significant risk to public health.

To prevent grease from blocking sewers, it is important to keep it out of the sewer system. This can be achieved by properly disposing of grease and food scraps in the trash, using sink strainers to catch food scraps, and avoiding the use of garbage disposals for grease. It is also crucial to educate friends, family, and neighbours about the issue and to ensure that grease traps in commercial establishments are properly designed, installed, and maintained.

Old, damaged, or misconnected sewer pipes

Old and Damaged Sewer Pipes

Old and damaged sewer pipes can cause water contamination, leading to health problems for those who consume the contaminated water. As pipes age, they can rust and corrode, with pieces flaking off and contaminating the water. This can result in the presence of hazardous chemicals, such as lead, in the water supply. Consuming contaminated water can lead to various health issues, ranging from gastrointestinal problems to more severe issues like reproductive problems and certain types of cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to address pipe deterioration and replace old pipes to prevent water contamination.

Sewage System Hazards

Sewage systems, particularly older ones, can pose significant hazards if they are not properly maintained or updated. Antiquated sewer systems may have cracks or leaks in the system, allowing sewage to escape and contaminate the surrounding environment. This can lead to water pollution, affecting rivers, seas, and coastal areas. Poor waste management and inadequate infrastructure further contribute to the problem, resulting in a water quality crisis.

Impact of Sewage Pollution

Sewage pollution has far-reaching consequences, damaging natural ecosystems and habitats, reducing biodiversity, and threatening ocean recovery. It can cause harmful algae blooms, depriving water of oxygen and leading to the death of aquatic species. Moreover, sewage pollution puts water users at risk of contracting illnesses, including viruses and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. The impact of sewage pollution on human health and the environment underscores the urgency of addressing this issue.

Misconnected Sewer Pipes

Misconnected sewer pipes occur when the drainage from a building is connected to the wrong sewer network, either a foul water connection to a surface water system or vice versa. These misconnections are a result of incorrect plumbing and can pollute waterways. It is essential to identify and rectify misconnected pipes to prevent sewage from entering and contaminating the wrong systems, reducing the risk of water pollution and its associated environmental and health impacts.

Preventing Water Contamination

To prevent water contamination from old, damaged, or misconnected sewer pipes, regular maintenance and proactive repairs are crucial. Homeowners should be vigilant about the quality of their drinking water and ensure their plumbing systems are in good condition. If pipes are old and deteriorating, replacement should be considered to mitigate the risk of water contamination and its potential health consequences. Working with trusted plumbers and plumbing companies is essential to ensure timely and effective repairs or replacements.

Frequently asked questions