After treatment and sufficient disinfection, the water is discharged via a pressurized system of lifts and pipes to the areas in the city where it is needed. A disinfectant residual must be maintained throughout all parts of the system to ensure no waterborne pathogens enter the system and contaminate the water.
How does a wastewater treatment plant work?
Jun 20, 2019 · Water leaving our homes generally goes either into a septic tank in the back yard where it seeps back into the ground, or is sent to a wastewater-treatment plant through a sewer system. Different treatment is used depending on the type of water coming into the plant and the water-quality requirements of water leaving the plant.
Where does water go when it leaves your home?
Mar 02, 2020 · Here is where we see it all come to fruition. Water has made its way from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs all the way to your tap, shower, dishwasher, and toilet. From there it follows the sewers back to a wastewater treatment plant to be cleaned and discharged to the environment yet again. Once back in the environment it starts the cycle over.
Does Spokane Washington have a wastewater treatment plant?
Jul 21, 2010 · Wastewater treatment plants are typically located near creeks and rivers. The treated effluent is returned to the water cycle by being released into these waterways. As water sources become less abundant, many municipalities have chosen not to release effluent into the water cycle; rather to reuse the effluent for irrigation and industrial purposes directly from the …
How much wastewater is treated in a wastewater treatment plant?
Jun 18, 2018 · The treated water (called effluent) is then discharged to a local river or the ocean. R. Wastewater Residuals. Another part of treating wastewater is dealing with the solid-waste material. These solids are kept for 20 to 30 days in large, …
How is water treated?
Once here, water is treated by removing solid waste and using bacteria to eliminate the harmful organic matter.
Why is surface water treated?
Because water taken from open bodies of water may contain harmful microorganisms, it has to be treated before it can be distributed to us in our homes . Typical surface water treatment incorporates chemical coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to ensure the water is safe for consumption.
How much water does the average American drink?
According to the US Geological Service, the typical American citizen uses an average of 80-100 gallons of water per day.
Where did the aqueduct originate?
It originated with the Assyrian’s invention of the aqueduct (still in use today) and has evolved into a complete industrial chain of pipes and pumps that traverse states, delivering water to everyone. As you can imagine, a lot of resources go into making consumable water so attainable. This Is How We Get Our Water.
Is water a finite resource?
However, the biggest struggle we have yet to master is sustainability. Water is a finite resource in this world and only 0.3% of it is actually usable.
What is the first stage of wastewater treatment?
The first mechanical stage is called preliminary treatment or rather pre-treatment. Water flows through gravel chamber for settling out the grit from water. Afterwards, gravel is disposed of at the dump. Water further reaches the bar screens used to remove large objects from the wastewater.
What is wastewater water?
Wastewater can be divided into two major groups: Sewage water is all wastewater used in domestic dwellings (e. g. originating from toilets, showers or sinks). Industrial wastewater originates from production, industrial and commercial activities, and has a different chemical composition to sewage water.
What is wastewater in agriculture?
What is wastewater? It is used water originating from domestic, industrial, agricultural, and medical or transport activities. Used water becomes wastewater upon the change of its quality, composition and/or temperature. However, wastewater does not include water released from ponds or reservoirs for fish farming.
How long does it take for sludge to dry out?
9. Sludge, digested and dewatered to the optimal degree, is finally disposed of at the dump. In about a month, sludge is adequately dried out and ripe. If it complies with agricultural standards, it can be reused for fertilisation of industrial crops.
What is secondary treatment?
The secondary treatment, also called biological stage, is based on natural processes. WWTPs use bacteria which consume the contaminants, in particular biodegradable organics, carbon and phosphorus. Dead bacteria and organic residues subsequently transform into sludge. 6.
What is wastewater in a house?
Every house generates wastewater. The wastewater includes dirty water from your kitchen, shower, laundry room, and of course, your toilet. All the aforementioned wastewater—including other things such as dirt, paper, soap et cetera—flows down the drain and move into the sewage pipes linked to your house or building.
What is the term for the material that settles in a tank?
The settled materials include human waste and are referred to as ‘sludge ’.
How does a toilet tank work?
As you already know, your toilet is connected to a water supply. If your tank is empty, a refill valve opens up to allow water into the tank through the refill tube. A float inside your tank is also raised while it fills up and it eventually halts the process when it is totally raised. This is the first stage of the toilet water journey.
What is a toilet trap?
The trap carries the toilet water and the accompanying waste into the main drain. After flushing, some water remains in the curved trap to prevent odors from sewer gas from entering your room.
How does a flush valve work?
In the case of flushing toilets, a flush valve is raised when you push the lever and water from your toilet tank empties into the toilet bowl. Dual-flush toilets usually have two buttons that release different quantities of water instead of a lever. By design and with a little help from gravity, the water pushes the excreta or liquid waste in ...
How long does it take for a toilet to flush?
Flushing takes about 15 seconds for most toilets.
What can't you flush down the toilet?
Flushing the wrong items can cause your pipes to be blocked which in turn affects your neighbors who are also connected to the same municipal system .
How does North City Water Reclamation Plant work?
The North City Water Reclamation Plant can treat up to 30 million gallons of wastewater per day. Reclaimed water produced at the plant is distributed throughout the northern region of San Diego via more than 79 miles of distribution to our customers for irrigation, landscaping and industrial use. The plant also provides reclaimed water for the City of Poway. Reclaimed pipelines, sprinkler heads, meter boxes and other irrigation equipment are color-coded purple to distinguish reclaimed water pipes from drinking water systems. For more information, see the see the Recycled Water section. For annual monitoring reports, see the Wastewater Treatment Monitoring Reports web page. The North City Water Reclamation Plant is also the home of the Pure Water San Diego project. To learn more, see this fact sheet.
How many gallons of water does the Otay water treatment plant have?
Located adjacent to the City's Lower Otay Reservoir, the plant has a capacity of 34 million gallons of treated drinking water per day. For more information, see the Water Quality section.
What is the Metropolitan Biosolids Center?
The Metropolitan Biosolids Center is the City of San Diego's regional biosolids treatment facility. Biosolids are the nutrient-rich, processed organic material produced by the wastewater treatment process. The facility produces dewatered biosolids that are approximately 30% solids and 70% water, the consistency of wet plaster. For more information, see the Metropolitan Biosolids Center Master Plan. And to learn more, check out this fact sheet.
How many gallons of water does Miramar have?
Located adjacent to Miramar Reservoir, the plant has a capacity of 144 million gallons of treated drinking water per day. For more information, see the Water Quality section.
How many gallons of water is treated at Point Loma?
The Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant treats approximately 175 million gallons of wastewater per day generated in a 450-square-mile area by more than 2.2 million residents. Located in Point Loma, the plant has a treatment capacity of 240 million gallons per day. .
Is the City of San Diego open for public tours?
The City's 1-million-gallon-per-day demonstration Pure Water Facility is open for free public tours. Participating in a tour is a great way to learn about the water purification process and get an up-close look at the cutting-edge technology used to clean recycled water to produce safe, high-quality drinking water. For more information, see the Pure Water section. And also check out this fact sheet.
Leader in Reuse
Reusing water reduces our reliance on acquiring new water sources, extends existing supplies and provides a drought-resistant water resource. With the largest water reuse program in Texas, NTMWD diverts and treats typically around 20 billion gallons annually.
Wastewater Service Area
Below are the cities, communities and special utility districts that receive our regional wastewater services:
