***SCRIPT***

C: The water cycle shows the continuous movement

of water within the Earth and atmosphere. It is a
***MUSIC*** complex system that includes many different
H: Good afternoon Maam, good afternoon processes. Liquid water evaporates into water vapor,
classmates! condenses to form clouds, and precipitates back to
***MUSIC*** earth in the form of rain and snow. Precipitation is a
H: Welcome to this afternoon event. We’ve got a vital component of how water moves through Earth’s
fantastic lineup of segments planned for you today! water cycle, connecting the ocean, land, and
***MUSIC*** atmosphere. Knowing where it rains, how much it
H: To officially start this event, we are the group 2- rains and the character of the falling rain, snow or hail
presenting the water pollution and its sources. And allows scientists to better understand precipitation’s
this “THE SHOWTIME”. impact on streams, rivers, surface runoff and
PPT: The showtime with background music of groundwater
showtime. H: Number 2?
H: A round of applause please. (members are out of D: It is a cycle that involves the continuous circulation
stage, only the host remains) of water in the Earth-atmosphere system. Of the
PPT: Proceed to introduction of Expecially for You many processes involved in the water cycle, the most
(piano background music) important are evaporation, transpiration,
H: Is it really true that love flows like water and it has condensation, precipitation, and runoff. Although the
qualities to maintain to sustain life and relationships, total amount of water within the cycle remains
that question will be answered here at Expecially for essentially constant, its distribution among the
You! various processes is continually changing. The water
H: Here is our especial couple for today. (person A and falling on land collects in rivers and lakes, soil, and
person B). porous layers of rock, and much of it flows back into
A: What’s up everyone my name is (name of A). the oceans, where it will once more evaporate. The
B: Hello everyone my name is (name of B). cycling of water in and out of the atmosphere is a
H: And here are our searches: pasok! (assigned person significant aspect of the weather patterns on Earth.
physical-person C, chemical-person D, biological- H: Number 3?
person E and introduce themselves).
H: Searchee number 1 (name). Do you have some pick E. There are many processes involved in the
up line for our searcher? movement of water including these major steps in
C: (Name of A) Ano ang pinagkaiba mo sa tubig? water cycle diagram. Here are the major stages of the
A: Ano? water cycle. First, Evaporation. Evaporation generally
C: Ang tubig iniigib. Ikaw iniibig. happens when water molecules at the surface of
H: How about you searchee number 2? water bodies become excited and rise into the air with
D: (Name of A) Tubig kaba? the aid of the sun. These molecules with the highest
A: Bakit? kinetic energy accumulate into water vapor clouds.
D: Kasi hindi ako mabubuhay kapag wala ka. Then, Condensation. The water vapour that
H: Number 3? How about you? accumulated in the atmosphere eventually cools
E: (name of A) Tubig kaba? down due to the low temperatures found at high
A: Bakit? altitudes. These vapours become tiny droplets of
E: Kasi ikaw ang pinakamalaking bahagi ng buhay ko. water and ice, eventually coming together to form
H: So (name of A), to know them more, you can now clouds. Next is Precipitation. Precipitation occurs
throw them question? when so much water has condensed that the air
A: uhmm…I just want to know more about water cannot hold it anymore. The clouds get heavy and
cycle, can you elaborate more about it? water falls back to the earth in the form of rain,
H: Number 1? hail, sleet or snow.
H: Do you have more question (name of A)? C: Physical water quality parameters are observed as
A: Okay. How important is water and the a result of physical changes in the water. Physical
hydrosphere? water quality parameters include eight principle
H: Number 1? indicators: electrical conductivity, salinity, total
dissolved solids, turbidity, temperature, color, and
C: The hydrosphere is the water component of the taste and odor. Conductivity is a core physical water
Earth. The hydrosphere sustains various life forms and parameter. Water that has a high electrical
plays an important role in ecosystems and regulating conductivity has a greater amount of contaminants,
the atmosphere. Water is the most important part of whereas water that has good water quality such as
living cells. Every cell in a living organism is built up of drinking water has fewer contaminants, and therefore
about 75% of water, hence allowing the cell to cannot conduct electricity. Salinity refers to the salt
function appropriately. Cells would not be able to content in water. The main salt ion in water that
carry out normal functions and life cannot exist increases salinity is sodium chloride. High dissolved
without water. salts in water cause issues in drinking water,
H: Number 2? agriculture, and aquatic ecosystem health, including
D: Well, for Human needs. Humans use water in many corrosion of industrial machinery, threat to salt-
ways. Drinking water is the most obvious use, but it is resistant species, and altered biodiversity. Total
also used for domestic purposes like washing and dissolved solids enter the water from sewage,
cleaning and in industries. Water is also utilized in agricultural runoff, industrial wastewater, or the use
generating electricity through hydropower. Water of water treatment chemicals. The more total
provides habitat. Hydrosphere provides a place for dissolved solids that are suspended or in suspension
many plants and animals to live in. Many gasses like in water, the higher the water’s conductivity. Turbidity
carbon dioxide, Oxygen gas, nutrients like ammonium refers to the haziness of water. Turbidity levels rise
and nitrite (NO–2) as well as other ions are dissolved with higher clay, silt, and organic matter
in water. The presence of these substances is essential concentrations in water, indicating suspended
for life to exist in water. sediments, pathogens, bacteria, and other
H: Number 3? contaminants, causing cloudiness in drinking water.
E: It Regulate Climate. The water’s specific heat is its Temperature is one of the most essential parameters
unique characteristic. This indicates that water takes of water quality, as it influences biological activity and
a lot of time to heat up and a lot of time to cool down. growth in water, plus it has a direct effect on the water
It helps in regulating temperatures on earth as they chemistry, influencing the other main water quality
stay in a range that is acceptable for life on earth to parameters. Next is color, Home water should be
exist. Water is necessary for photosynthesis, which is colorless, while blue or green tap water indicates
how plants use energy from the sun to create their foreign substances or decaying organic matter
own food. During this process, plants use carbon commonly found in stagnant pools like swamps. The
dioxide from the air and hydrogen from the water good news is, testing the color of the water is easy, as
absorbed through their roots and release oxygen as a it can be done with the naked eye. The last physical
byproduct. water quality parameters are taste and odor. They go
H: Thank you searchees. Now (name of A), are you hand in hand, as usually when the taste of water
satisfied now or you want to add? changes, an odor is produced. This is typically from a
A: I want to add from each of them my last questions. foreign substance in the water. These are usually
H: Okay. organic materials and inorganic compounds. Changes
A: This is for you number 1, I just want to know the in taste and odor can originate from organic materials,
physical quality of water. Can you explain the quality inorganic compounds, biological sources (aquatic
of water in terms of physical quality? microorganisms), chlorination and other water
H: Number 1? treatment issues, and microbial activity.
A: Thank you number 1 and this is for you number 2, A: Thank you number 2 and this is for you number 3,
how about the chemical quality of water? how about the biological quality of water?

D: Chemical water quality parameters assess the E: Biological water quality parameters look at the
chemical characteristics of the water. Chemical water characteristics to describe the presence or absence of
parameters include pH, acidity, alkalinity, hardness, waterborne pathogens and other microbial
chlorine, and dissolved oxygen. One of the most organisms. The final water quality is biological, which
important chemical water quality parameters is pH, includes bacteria, algae, nutrients, and viruses.
and it should always be the first measurement when Bacterial content tells us a lot about water quality.
assessing the quality of water. Increases in pH are also Bacteria, small, single-celled organisms, can rapidly
an issue for swimming pools and other applications reproduce in water with certain pH levels and
that require chlorine as a disinfectant, as high pH temperatures. However, their rapid growth makes
decreases the effectiveness of chemicals. Increases in them difficult to measure. Bacteria reproduce slower
pH are also an issue for swimming pools and other in colder environments and areas lacking nutrients.
applications that require chlorine as a disinfectant, as High bacteria levels can lead to unsafe water,
high pH decreases the effectiveness of chemicals. containing waterborne diseases like typhoid and
Alkalinity is important for measuring water quality, as cholera. Algae are microscopic aquatic plants
it determines how much soda ash is need to be added containing chlorophyll. They feed off inorganic
to neutralize the water. Water becomes alkaline when material, converting it into organic material via
bicarbonate, hydroxide, and carbonate ions dissolve photosynthesis. Algae can indicate poor water quality,
in water. Water that has a very high alkalinity level and many algal indicators are used in water systems
indicates contamination. Water hardness refers to the to assess environmental conditions. Algal blooms are
mineral content of water. If water is considered hard, indicators of bad odors and poor taste in water. Also,
calcium or magnesium are likely the cause. Naturally, as some algae species (for example, blue-green algae)
groundwater has a greater water hardness than can pose serious health risks, algae should be
surface water because groundwater is more exposed monitored when assessing water quality. Nutrients
to minerals and ions. If hard water is left untreated, it are closely related to algae. As water nutrients
can scale pipe systems and make it difficult to bathe. (particularly nitrogen) increase, excessive algae
Dissolved oxygen is one of the most significant growth could occur, thus depleting the oxygen level.
indicators of water quality in water treatment systems Viruses are a prime cause of human waterborne and
and aquariums, and therefore, it is a crucial water water-related diseases. Testing for viruses in the water
quality parameter to monitor because it determines if tells us a lot about the quality of water, and if the
water is polluted. If oxygen levels dramatically drop in water needs treatment before use. Despite the
aquatic environments, aquatic organisms cannot difficulty in testing and treating viruses in water, they
survive. Many factors affect DO levels in the water, but are usually removed during water purification and
changes in the temperature of the water are the most disinfection processes. So that’s it.
common, followed by salinity and pressure. H: What can you say about their answers?
A: From their answers, I learned that When treating
water, knowing the three main water quality
parameters and principle indicators is essential.
Whether your water has low pH levels, high total
dissolved solids, excessive nutrients, or a strange odor
or taste, there are many water pollution solutions to
improve the water quality.
H: So (name of A), from the 3 searchees who will you
choose?
A: I will choose ……………..(ppt: suspense, next slide)
H: After this short ad break. We will be right back after
the advertisement.
***CURTAIN*** ***CURTAIN***
(2 PERSON F & G GIVING TRIVIA OR EXPLAINING THE (F & G Enters)
WATER POLLUTION CONCEPT) F & G: When water gets polluted, it adversely affects
F & G: Did you know that in our country the all lifeforms that directly or indirectly depend on this
Philippines, we have water quality and standard to source. The effects of water contamination can be felt
follow for our drinking water? for years to come.
F: It is through the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. F: Speaking again of indirect and direct, pollutants
It says that Drinking-water must be clear and does not may come from direct or point sources and indirect
have objectionable taste, odor and color. It must be sources. Direct or point sources. When
pleasant to drink and free from all harmful organisms, contamination originates from a single and
chemical substances and radionuclides in amounts identifiable source, it’s called point source pollution.
which could constitute a hazard to the health of the Examples include wastewater (also called effluent)
consumer. It aims to protect the country's water discharged legally or illegally by a manufacturer, oil
bodies from pollution from land-based sources like refinery, or wastewater treatment facility, as well as
industries and commercial establishments, contamination from leaking septic systems, chemical
agriculture and community/household activities. and oil spills, and illegal dumping. Easier to monitor
G: Speaking of pollution, what is water pollution? and regulate because the source can be directly
Water pollution happens when toxic substances enter identified. Typically has a specific discharge point,
water bodies such as lakes, rivers, oceans and so on, making it possible to apply targeted management
getting dissolved in them, lying suspended in the strategies.
water or depositing on the bed. This degrades the G: While Indirect or non-point sources of pollution
quality of water. The common water pollutants are are often termed ‘diffuse’ pollution. They refer to
pathogens, inorganic materials, organic materials, inputs and impacts which occur over a wide area and
sediments, and macroscopic pollutants. As seen in the are not easily attributed to a single source. These may
example (points at the TV), the dumped plastic include agricultural or stormwater runoff or debris
bottles, tins, water cans and other wastes pollute the blown into waterways from land. Indirect sources do
water bodies. These result in water pollution, which not originate from a single, identifiable point. Instead,
harms not just humans, but the whole ecosystem. pollutants come from multiple, widespread areas,
Toxins drained from these pollutants, travel up to the making their impacts more dispersed and complex to
food chain and eventually affect humans. In most trace. Nonpoint source pollution comes from oil, pet
cases, the outcome is destructive to only the local waste, pesticide, herbicide, fertilizer, road salt,
population and species, but it can have an impact on bacteria, sediment, and any other contaminant that
a global scale too. ends up on the ground naturally or from human
***CURTAIN DROPS*** activity.
(F & G EXITS, BACK AGAIN AT THE SEGMENT) F & G: Again, direct sources of water pollution
originates from a single and identifiable source, while
***BACKGROUND MUSIC*** (Piano) indirect sources do not originate from a single source
H: Truly love has qualities to maintain and knowing its instead from multiple and widespread areas making it
qualities it makes any relationship lasts, so (name of difficult to trace.
A), who will you choose?
A: For that, I will still choose my EX.
H: (shocked) What a twist! Well congratulations
(name of B). You are the one that is chosen.
(A and B will face each other)
(host in front)
H: The showtime will be right back.
 H: I am sorry candidate number 3 but you have just
***CURTAIN DROPS*** been eliminated and congratulations to candidates
number 1,2 and 4 because you are qualified to the
next round.
H: And this is the question-and-answer portion.
Candidate number 1, here is your question. What is
the effect of water pollution to human health?
(Plays miss Q and A background music) C1: Well, if a water source becomes contaminated due
H: Welcome to miss A and A. to pollution, it can lead to health issues in humans. In
(Candidates Entering 4-candidates) fact, water pollution kills. It caused 1.8 million deaths
H: How are you ladies? in 2015, according to a study published in The Lancet.
(candidates : were fine!) Waterborne pathogens, in the form of disease-
H: Ok. Before you qualify to the next round, you will causing bacteria and viruses from human and animal
answer by determining some of the sources of water waste, are a major cause of illness from contaminated
pollutants whether it is direct or indirect. The first one drinking water. Diseases spread by unsafe water
to get the correct answer will be the first to advance. include cholera, giardia, and typhoid. Even in wealthy
Note only 3 of you will advance. Understood? nations, accidental or illegal releases from sewage
(candidates nod) treatment facilities, as well as runoff from farms and
H: Ok. Kaway sa kanan. urban areas, contribute harmful pathogens to
(ppt : show pictures) waterways. As a wide range of chemical pollutants—
H: SHIPS OIL SPILL from heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury to
H: Candidate #1? pesticides and nitrate fertilizers—are getting into our
water supplies. Once they’re ingested, these toxins
C1: DIRECT can cause a host of health issues, from cancer to
hormone disruption to altered brain function.
H: Direct is tumpak ganern. Children and pregnant women are particularly at risk.
That’s all, thank you.
H: AGRICULTURAL RUNOFFS H: Thank you candidate number 1, its your time to
shine candidate number 2, and here is your question.
H: Candidate #3? What is the effect of water pollution to vegetation?
C2: Thank you for that question. Well, Water pollution
C3: DIRECT significantly impacts vegetation, affecting plant
health, growth, and the ecosystem they depend on.
H: Direct is, ligwak ganern. Toxins from heavy metals, chemicals, and industrial
waste can accumulate in plants, leading to stunted
H: Kaway sa kanan growth, leaf yellowing, wilting, or even death.
Polluted water can also block sunlight from reaching
H: Municipal wastewater treatment plants aquatic plants, contaminating soil with harmful
chemicals, reducing soil fertility and hindering plant
H: Candidate #2? growth. Excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and
phosphorus from fertilizers, enter water bodies
C2: DIRECT through runoff, leading to algal blooms that block
sunlight and deplete oxygen levels, causing
H: Direct is tumpak ganern eutrophication. This process suffocates aquatic
vegetation and disrupts ecosystems. Polluted water
H: Kaway sa kanan bodies may no longer support diverse plant life, with
sensitive species dying off, leaving only those that can
H: Factories tolerate the degraded conditions. Water pollution
harms vegetation by poisoning plants, disrupting their
C4: Direct natural growth processes, and altering ecosystems.
This can have long-term impacts on biodiversity and
H: Direct is tumpak ganern food security. Thank you.
H: Thank you candidate number 2, number 3 here is H: Water pollution affects ecosystems, public health,
the last question, What is the effect of water and economies across the globe. But there is hope—
pollution to the environment? and it comes in the form of something called the
C: Thank you for that question. Water pollution is a Waste Management Hierarchy. It’s a strategic
global environmental issue causing severe damage to approach designed to reduce pollution and protect
ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Factors such our most precious resource.
as industrial waste, sewage discharge, and agricultural (ppt: shows the pic of the hierarchy)
runoff contribute to the pollution, contaminating H: This afternoon, lets welcome our guests for today’s
water and disrupting the delicate balance of aquatic video, we have experts in the field joining us,
ecosystems. Pollutants like chemicals, plastics, and including [Guest Name], a renowned environmental
waste materials degrade water quality, causing scientist who will break down the hierarchy and
disease, mutations, and death in aquatic life. Toxic explain how we can all play a role in preventing water
substances accumulate in aquatic animals' tissues, pollution. We’ll also be joined by [Guest Name], an
affecting predators and humans when they consume activist working on the ground, implementing these
contaminated seafood. Polluted water sources also solutions in communities affected by polluted water.
pose health risks to humans and animals relying on (host and guest take their seats)
them for drinking water. An excess of nutrients from H: Welcome to the show, and how are you feeling?
agricultural run-off can lead to eutrophication, where G1: I am okay and glad to be a part of this show.
excess levels of ammonia and phosphate promote the G2: I’m fine and glad too.
growth of algal blooms, blocking sunlight and oxygen, H: Okay, Let’s get started by breaking down the
and depriving other aquatic organisms of necessary basics. What is the Waste Management Hierarchy,
resources. This process can lead to a sharp imbalance and why is it crucial in fighting water pollution?
in the ecosystems, posing significant health risks for G1: Water management hierarchy for water pollution
both humans and animals. Thank you! typically involves a structured approach to manage
H: And now it’s time to announce the winner. and mitigate water pollution risks. The hierarchy
H: Our Miss Q and A is candidate number, promotes a proactive approach to water pollution
1……………and 2, ………………and 3. Congratulations you management, prioritizing prevention and
are all winners for this afternoon. Around of applause minimization while ensuring that any residual impacts
plss. are effectively managed. By focusing on each tier,
(Winners hug each other). communities and organizations can work toward
H: Once again congratulations winners. You can now cleaner water systems and healthier ecosystems.
take your final walks. (candidates exiting).
H: Thank you for joining us today in THE SHOWTIME.
The showtime will now ends and don’t worry, H20
ECO TALK IS COMING UP NEXT. Bye bye everyone.

***CURTAIN***
(Plays video of MTRCB Rated PG)
PREPARE FOR THE TALK SHOW LIKE ARRANGING THE
CHAIRS BEHIND THE CURTAIN
***CURTAIN DOWN***
H: Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to H20
EcoTalk, the show where we dive deep into the
environmental issues that matter most. I’m your host,
[Host Name], and this afternoon, we’re tackling one
of the most critical challenges of our time—water
pollution and how we can manage waste effectively
to protect our water sources and reduces the
pollution."
G2: The most preferable way to manage the water G1: Yes, it is absolutely possible to minimize or
pollution is Prevention or the source reduction. This eliminate the generation or production of pollutants
tier emphasizes reducing the generation of pollutants in water. In industries they can adopt cleaner
at their source before they enter the environment. production techniques such as using less toxic raw
Examples are sustainable agriculture practices, materials and improving process efficiency to reduce
industrial process improvements, and stricter waste because switching to biodegradable or less
regulations on waste disposal. Next is Minimization. harmful chemicals in manufacturing, agriculture, and
This tier focuses on minimizing the impact of household products minimizes water contamination.
pollutants that are generated. It involves treating In our homes, DO NOT dispose of household
wastewater to remove harmful substances and chemicals or cleaning agents down the sink or toilet,
containing any potential leaks or spills. Examples are DO NOT flush pills, liquid or powder medications or
containment measures such as bunds or barriers drugs down the toilet, avoid using a garbage disposal.
around storage facilities to prevent leaks into Keep solid wastes solid. Make a compost pile from
groundwater and wastewater treatment facilities that vegetable scraps. Use the minimum amount of
use biological, chemical, or physical processes to detergent and/or bleach when you are washing
clean water before discharge. Then, Recycling and clothes or dishes. Use only phosphate free soaps and
Reusing. This tier encourages the recovery of valuable detergents. Minimize the use of pesticides,
resources from wastewater and the reuse of treated herbicides, fertilizers. DO NOT dispose of these
water to minimize waste. Examples are Reusing chemicals, motor oil, or other automotive fluids into
treated wastewater for irrigation in agriculture or the sanitary sewer or storm sewer systems. Both of
landscaping, recovering nutrients like phosphorus and them end at the river. If your home has a sump pump
nitrogen from wastewater for use as fertilizers, and or cellar drain, make sure that it does not drain into
using gray water systems in homes to recycle water the sanitary sewer system.
from sinks and showers for toilet flushing. Followed by H: It is truly possible to minimize or eliminate the
Remediation or Restoration. In cases where water generation of water pollutants. Thanks for that (mr.
bodies are already polluted, remediation efforts focus name of G1). Well, how about the dirty water or the
on cleaning up contaminated sites. This is a process of contaminated one or the used one, can we recycle or
treating and purifying water contaminated by reuse it? How?
pollutants from various sources such as industrial
effluents and anthropogenic activities to restore its
quality for sustainable use. This can involve various
techniques, such as bioremediation, chemical
treatment, or physical removal of contaminated
sediments. Last is Education and Awareness. This tier
emphasizes the importance of informing and
engaging the community about water pollution issues
and encouraging sustainable practices. This includes
Public awareness campaigns on the impacts of water
pollution and how to reduce it, workshops and
training for industries on best management practices
for waste disposal, and advocacy for stronger
regulations to protect water resources.
G1: Policy and Regulations also helps by establishing
and enforcing water quality standards and
regulations. Government policies should support
pollution control measures and incentivize practices
that protects water resources.
H: Yeah right and it should start with ourselves to do
small things that helps the control of the pollution.
Well I have another question; can we minimize or
eliminate the generation or production of pollutants
in water?
G2: Of course, all water is recycled naturally but it can G1: The basic function of wastewater treatment is to
also be done through filtration and separation for a speed up the natural processes by which water is
variety of uses from flushing toilets to agricultural purified. There are two basic stages in the treatment
irrigation to industrial uses, for example in cooling of wastes, primary and secondary. In the primary
towers or boilers. Best example of this is the Reverse stage, solids are allowed to settle and removed from
Osmosis. The reverse osmosis is a water purification wastewater. The secondary stage uses biological
process that removes ions, unwanted molecules and processes to further purify wastewater. Sometimes,
larger particles from drinking water using a partially these stages are combined into one operation.
permeable membrane. It’s no secret that during the So, lets have the primary stage first. As
filtration process, a reverse osmosis system will expel sewage enters a plant for treatment, it flows through
water at a ratio of 3 is to 1. This means for every gallon a screen, which removes large floating objects such as
of reverse osmosis water produced, 3 gallons of rags and sticks that might clog pipes or damage
wastewater goes down the drain. It seems like a lot, equipment. After sewage has been screened, it passes
right? So now the question is, “can reverse osmosis into a grit chamber, where cinders, sand, and small
wastewater be recycled?” The answer is yes! Here’s stones settle to the bottom. A grit chamber is
how; simply redirect the drain line to a container that particularly important in community with combined
could collect the wastewater such as a bucket, or 5- sewer systems where sand or gravel may wash into
gallon water bottle (depending on how much water is sewers along with storm water.
used, a larger container might be needed. Use the RO After screening is completed and grit has
system as it normally would and occasionally check in been removed, sewage still contains organic and
on the wastewater vessel. Once it’s filled, replace the inorganic matter along with other suspended solids.
vessel with another and use the collected water for These solids are very small particles that can be
various things around the home. Another method in removed from sewage in a sedimentation tank. When
collecting wastewater is to route the drain line coming the speed of the flow through one of these tanks is
from the membrane to go outside. Run the drain line reduced, the suspended solids will gradually sink to
from the kitchen to a collection area outside or drill a the bottom, where they form a mass of solids called
small hole through the wall under the kitchen sink and raw primary biosolids formerly sludge. Biosolids are
feed it to a rain barrel outside. Once the wastewater usually removed from tanks by pumping, after which
is in the vessel, it can now be used to water plants in it may be further treated for use as a fertilizer, or
a garden, wash a car, used for cleaning, wash dishes, disposed of in a land fill or incinerated.
refill a decorative fountain, laundry, flush toilets, and Over the years, primary treatment alone has
make cement. The wastewater may look clean, but been unable to meet many communities’ demands
keep in mind that it is filled with impurities that the for higher water quality. To meet them, cities and
RO membrane rejected. It is not advisable to drink or industries normally treat to a secondary treatment
bathe with wastewater. Recycling RO wastewater is a level, and in some cases, also use advanced treatment
great way to mitigate the impact of waste that occurs to remove nutrients and other contaminants. The
with a reverse osmosis system. Any household that secondary stage of treatment removes about 85
uses an RO system can utilize all of the water going percent of the organic matter in sewage by making
through the filters and membrane in various parts of use of the bacteria in it.
their home.
H: So, wastewater is not just useful but we conserve
water too and wastewater is treatable right? So, what
are the steps involve in treating dirty water or used
water?
G2: The principal secondary treatment techniques G1: Steve Katz, market development manager at Suez,
used in secondary treatment are the trickling filter said: “Technology exists to take any level of
and the activated sludge process. After effluent leaves contamination in water and bring it to any use point,
the sedimentation tank in the primary stage it flows treating organic pollutants, trace chemicals, nutrients
or is pumped to a facility using one or the other of and pathogens”. Example of this is the Membrane
these processes. A trickling filter is simply a bed of Bioreactors. It is a process which combines a
stones from three to six feet deep through which microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane unit with a
sewage passes. suspended growth bioreactor, and is now widely used
Bacteria gather and multiply on these stones in both municipal and industrial Wastewater
until they can consume most of the organic matter. Treatment Plants. Another one is Integrated fixed film
The cleaner water trickles out through pipes for activated sludge. It is an innovative wastewater
further treatment. From a trickling filter, the partially treatment technology that offers several advantages
treated sewage flows to another sedimentation tank over conventional activated sludge technologies. IFAS
to remove excess bacteria. The activated sludge involves adding an attached growth media to an
process speeds up the work of the bacteria by activated sludge tank to facilitate biomass growth and
bringing air and sludge heavily laden with bacteria strengthen the treatment process. The media added
into close contact with sewage. may be either fixed or free-floating. An IFAS system
After the sewage leaves the settling tank in can be installed as an upgrade to an existing facility or
the primary stage, it is pumped into an aeration tank, as a new construction. Another example is the
where it is mixed with air and sludge loaded with Reverse Osmosis. Reverse osmosis is a multi-stage
bacteria and allowed to remain for several hours. water treatment process that removes contaminants
During this time, the bacteria break down the organic from unfiltered water, or feed water, when pressure
matter into harmless by-products. The sludge, now forces it through a semipermeable membrane.
activated with additional billions of bacteria and other Residential reverse osmosis systems utilize at least
tiny organisms, can be used again by returning it to three stages of treatment to reduce levels of virtually
the aeration tank for mixing with air and new sewage. all contaminant types. In the final stage, the RO
From the aeration tank, the partially treated membrane, water flows from the more concentrated
sewage flows to another sedimentation tank for side (more contaminants) of the membrane to the
removal of excess bacteria. To complete secondary less concentrated side (fewer contaminants) to
treatment, effluent from the sedimentation tank is provide clean water. And many more products of
usually disinfected with chlorine before being technology.
discharged into receiving waters. Chlorine is fed into H: Wow, I hope every industry use one of those
the water to kill pathogenic bacteria, and to reduce technologies to ensure that they dispose a clean
odor. water into our bodies of water.
G1: Alternatives to chlorine disinfection, such as
ultraviolet light or ozone, are also being used in
situations where chlorine in treated sewage effluents
may be harmful to fish and other aquatic life.
H: Wow. that’s a lot of steps there, now for my last
question, wastewater products in the industries are
going back to the different bodies of water, like rivers,
seas, or oceans, now what are some of the
technologies used, to make sure that the wastewater
products are clean before disposing to the bodies of
water?