Join this conversation
Wastewater can be harmful to the environment because it contains dirt, chemicals, harmful bacteria, and other pollutants. When untreated wastewater is released into rivers, lakes, or the soil, it pollutes water sources and makes them unsafe for people, animals, and plants. It also reduces oxygen in the water, which can harm fish and other aquatic life. Proper wastewater treatment helps keep the environment clean, protects public health, and saves valuable water resources.
Answered by
In this article, we're going to explore the harmful effects of wastewater on the environment, and what you can do to protect it.
When a city's wastewater is injected back underground, it may cause a process known as subsidence. One example is when water leaks out of a natural gas pipeline near the Mississippi River in Louisiana. This leak caused grounds above it to gradually sink 2 inches, which led to devastating flooding in 2011 that killed 13 people and cost over $3 billion in damages. Wastewater also disrupts coastlines by changing flow patterns and erosion levels for currents like those near Tokyo Bay.
Answered by