Sewage is wastewater released by homes, industries, hospitals, offices, other users and also the rain water that run down the street during the storm or heavy rain. Sewage is a liquid waste. It is harmful to discharge untreated sewage into rivers or seas because sewage is a complex mixture containing suspended solids, organic and inorganic impurities, nutrients, saprotrophic and disease causing bacteria and other microbes.

Sewage is wastewater realised by homes industries hospital ,offices and or other users.

What is sewage?

Sewage refers to the waste and wastewater generated by residential, commercial, and industrial activities. It consists of a combination of liquid and solid waste, including human waste, household detergents, food scraps, and other organic and inorganic materials. Sewage is typically transported through a network of pipes and sewers to treatment plants where it undergoes various processes to remove contaminants before being discharged into the environment.

Why is it harmful to discharge untreated sewage into rivers or seas?

Pollution: Untreated sewage contains a wide range of harmful substances and pathogens that can significantly impact the water quality and ecosystem of rivers and seas. Some of the key reasons why discharging untreated sewage is harmful include:

1. Spread of Diseases: Sewage often contains disease-causing microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. When discharged into rivers or seas without treatment, these pathogens can contaminate the water and pose a significant risk to public health. People who come into contact with polluted water can contract diseases like cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and gastroenteritis.

2. Oxygen Depletion: Sewage contains high levels of organic matter, including human waste and food scraps. When discharged into water bodies, these organic materials are broken down by bacteria in a process called decomposition. This decomposition consumes oxygen, leading to a decrease in oxygen levels in the water. Reduced oxygen can harm aquatic life, leading to fish kills and the disruption of the entire ecosystem.

3. Nutrient Overload: Sewage contains nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential for plant growth. However, when discharged in excessive amounts, they can cause eutrophication. Eutrophication is the rapid growth of algae and other aquatic plants, leading to an imbalance in the ecosystem. The excessive growth of algae blocks sunlight, impacting the growth of underwater plants and disrupting the food chain.

4. Chemical Contaminants: Sewage can also contain various chemicals, including heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and industrial pollutants. These substances can have detrimental effects on aquatic organisms, disrupting their reproductive systems, impairing growth, and causing long-term damage to the ecosystem.

Conclusion:

Discharging untreated sewage into rivers or seas has significant negative consequences for both the environment and public health. It leads to pollution, the spread of diseases, oxygen depletion, nutrient overload, and the introduction of chemical contaminants. Proper treatment of sewage is crucial to ensure the protection and preservation of our water resources and the overall well-being of ecosystems and communities.