Understanding Industrial Water Pollution: Causes And Effects

Industrial water pollution is a critical issue that poses significant risks to the environment and human health. It refers to the contamination of water sources, such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater, by various industrial activities. These activities generate wastewater containing toxic substances, including heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, and chemical compounds. The improper treatment and disposal of this wastewater lead to the pollution of water bodies, causing irreversible damage to aquatic ecosystems and threatening the health of both humans and animals. With the escalating population driving rapid industrial expansion, addressing industrial water pollution is essential to safeguard our precious freshwater resources and mitigate the adverse effects on the environment and public health.

Industrial waste water

Industrial wastewater is one of the most common by-products of industrial or commercial activities. It is the water that was used to make commercial products across every industry in nearly all phases of production. Once this process water has been used, it is considered waste and needs to be treated before it is discharged.

The quality and quantity of wastewater generated depend on the type of industry. It can contain non-biodegradable waste such as heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, etc., and biodegradable compounds such as paper, leather, wool, etc. Industrial wastewater can be toxic, reactive, carcinogenic, or ignitable.

Sources of industrial wastewater include battery manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, electric power plants, food industry, iron and steel industry, metal working, mines and quarries, nuclear industry, oil and gas extraction, petroleum refining and petrochemicals, pharmaceutical manufacturing, pulp and paper industry, smelters, textile mills, industrial oil contamination, water treatment, and wood preserving.

The water used in the production of iron and steel is used for cooling and by-products separation. The forming of iron and steel into sheets, wire, or rods requires water as a base lubricant and coolant, along with hydraulic oils, tallow, and particulate solids. The water used in galvanizing steel requires hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid. Many steel industry wastewaters are contaminated by hydraulic oil, also known as soluble oil.

Wastewater from shale gas drilling is considered hazardous waste. It is highly salty, measuring 32,300 mg per liter of sodium. In addition, the water mixed with industrial chemicals injected into the well to facilitate drilling contains high concentrations of sodium, magnesium, iron, barium, strontium, manganese, methanol, chloride, sulfate, and other substances.

To address the environmental and health issues created by industrial wastewater, it is necessary to obliterate its toxicity. Treatment processes include brine treatment, solids removal (e.g. chemical precipitation, filtration), oils and grease removal, removal of biodegradable organics, removal of other organics, removal of acids and alkalis, and removal of toxic materials.

Hazardous and non-hazardous waste

Industrial waste is the waste produced by industrial activity, including any material that is rendered useless during a manufacturing process. This can include dirt and gravel, masonry and concrete, scrap metal, oil, solvents, chemicals, scrap lumber, and even vegetable matter from restaurants. Industrial waste may be solid, semi-solid, or liquid in form, and it can pollute nearby soil or water bodies, contaminating groundwater, lakes, streams, rivers, or coastal waters.

Industrial solid waste is divided into hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Hazardous waste is defined by specific characteristics: ignitability, reactivity, corrosivity, and toxicity. It requires more careful and complex handling and includes toxic chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, and radioactive material. Certain commercial products, such as cleaning fluids, paints, or pesticides, can also be classified as hazardous waste. The introduction of new products, such as computers, drugs, textiles, and plastics, has contributed to the increase in hazardous waste.

Non-hazardous industrial waste, on the other hand, does not meet the EPA's definition of hazardous waste and is not considered municipal waste. This can include cafeteria garbage, trash, weed grass, trees, wood, and similar wastes. While non-hazardous waste may not have the same level of toxicity as hazardous waste, improper disposal and treatment can still lead to environmental and health issues.

The improper treatment and direct release of industrial effluents can cause irreversible damage to the ecosystem. Under-treated effluents can contaminate groundwater and other major water bodies, affecting the health of animals and aquatic life. It can also lead to potential environmental pollution in the air, on the land surface, and in the soil. The discharge of untreated wastewater into water bodies can have dreadful consequences for the environment and human health.

To address the issues caused by industrial waste, many countries have enacted legislation and developed technologies for waste management and treatment. The EPA, for example, promotes waste minimization, aiming to reduce the production of hazardous waste and its toxicity levels through source reduction and recycling. Compliance activities and policies on water quality control are also being implemented to mitigate the impact of industrial waste on the environment and human health.

Environmental and health effects

Industrial water pollution has had a profound impact on the environment and human health. It has significantly altered the quality of water and air, with far-reaching consequences.

The environmental impact of industrial water pollution is extensive. It has contaminated rivers, lakes, oceans, and other water sources with chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants. This contamination has led to a decline in water quality, rendering it unfit for drinking, swimming, fishing, and other activities. The pollutants introduce harmful nutrients that stimulate plant and algae growth, leading to a reduction in oxygen levels, a process known as eutrophication. This creates "dead zones" devoid of life and can also produce neurotoxins harmful to wildlife, including whales and sea turtles.

The discharge of industrial waste, including heavy metals, pesticides, and chemicals, has severe ecological consequences. These contaminants are toxic to aquatic life, reducing lifespan and reproductive abilities. They also have indirect effects, such as bioaccumulation in the food chain. Additionally, industrial wastewater can introduce pathogens that proliferate and produce toxins, further damaging the ecosystem and human health.

The health effects of industrial water pollution are significant. Contaminated drinking water can cause various illnesses, including acute waterborne diseases such as hepatitis, cholera, dysentery, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, diarrhea, and typhoid. The toxins in industrial wastewater can lead to acute poisoning, immune system suppression, and reproductive failure. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 80% of diseases are waterborne.

The impact of industrial water pollution is more severe in developing countries, where health risks related to water pollution are higher. About 2.3 billion people worldwide suffer from water-related diseases, with 2.2 billion of them residing in developing nations. The lack of strict policies, outdated technologies, and insufficient capital for proper treatment exacerbates the problem in these regions.

Furthermore, industrial water pollution contributes to climate change, which further exacerbates water pollution issues. The escalating population and rapid expansion of the industrial sector increase the demand for water, intensifying the pressure on water resources. As a result, the occurrence of floods and droughts has become more frequent, impacting water quality and availability.

Industrial effluents

Water pollution generally results from human activity, and the pollutants released mostly come from industrial dumps, sewage leakages, oil spillages, heavy metals, animal wastes, chemical wastes, eroded sediments, deforestation, littering, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, etc. These sectors consume around one-third of renewable freshwater that is available, and the pollutants released by them contain various synthetic and natural chemical contaminants.

The escalating population is causing a rapid expansion of the agricultural and industrial sectors, resulting in a higher demand for water. Due to climatic changes, the occurrence of floods and droughts has become more frequent in many parts of the world. Increasing water pollution from waste released from various sectors, such as industry, agriculture, households, and municipalities, has greatly contributed to the decline in potable water quality and quantity.

Most major industries have treatment facilities for industrial effluents, but this is not the case with small-scale industries, which cannot afford enormous investments in pollution control equipment. The improper treatment and direct release of hazardous effluents into the sewerage drains eventually pollute the groundwater and other major water bodies, causing adverse effects on the health of animals and aquatic life. Under-treated effluents can also cause other potential environmental pollution, such as air, land surface, and soil pollution.

Several countries are now framing policies on water quality control. Technologies have been developed to solve a wide range of solid waste and other environmental and recycling problems. Many new technologies for the separation and recycling of fly ash, metals, plastics, glass, sand, abrasives, automobile scrap, and plating waste sludge have been developed.

Water treatment

Industrial water pollution is caused by the improper treatment and disposal of industrial wastewater. This wastewater is produced as an undesirable by-product of industrial processes and can contain a range of toxic contaminants.

Sources of Industrial Water Pollution

Many industries produce wastewater as a by-product of their processes. Some of the major sources of industrial wastewater include:

• Petroleum refineries
• Chemical and petrochemical plants
• Pharmaceutical plants
• Wood preserving plants
• Fossil-fuel power stations
• Food and agriculture
• Textile mills

Treatment of Industrial Wastewater

The treatment of industrial wastewater is essential to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of water pollution. There are several treatment processes and technologies available, including:

• Chemical precipitation
• Sedimentation and filtration
• Advanced biological treatment (e.g. activated sludge with nitrification)
• Multimedia filtration
• Steam stripping
• Wastewater recycling
• Constructed wetlands

Costs of Treatment

The cost of treating industrial wastewater can be significant, with capital costs and operational costs as the two main types of expenses. Capital costs for large industrial wastewater treatment plants can range from $20,000 to $45,000 USD per cubic meter per hour. Operational costs include manpower, energy, and chemical consumption.

Benefits of Treatment

Proper treatment of industrial wastewater helps to reduce the pollution of groundwater and surface water bodies, protecting human health and the environment. It also allows for the reuse or safe discharge of treated wastewater, improving the quality and quantity of potable water.

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