Wastewater Case Studies (15) Flashcards
Case study 1?
Ganges River (India).
Things to note when dealing with Case Studies?
• Background.
• Ensure to read slowly.
• Read carefully.
• Circle important points/facts.
• Pay attention to the Problem Statements.
Ganges River Case study things to note?
• Overpopulation.
• High OL.
• Over-abstraction.
• Deforestation.
• 100 major industries.
Principal sources of pollution? (6)
• Domestic & industrial wastes.
• Solid garbage.
• Harmful pesticides = EDCs.
• Animal carcasses & human corpses thrown into the river.
• Defecation on river banks by low-income people.
• Mass bathing & ritualistic practices.
Outcomes/Solutions of Case Study 1? (7)
• Multidisciplinary study.
• Take note of point & non-point sources.
• Point sources = “Polluter Pays” principle.
• Non-point sources = Ministry of Agriculture to reduce harmful pesticides use.
• Domestic waste = Solid waste collection.
• Industrial waste = Industries installed effluent treatment plants.
• Poor public participation.
Conclusions of Case Study 1? (4)
• Environmental awareness needs to occur at governmental level.
• Poor resource recovery.
• Lack of practical experience.
• Need for control of pathogenic contamination in treated effluent.
Overall interesting result in terms of law?
Most polluted rivers are now being given rights similar to those of a living person in order to protect rivers & reduce pollution.
What does overall interesting result mean?
It means that any crimes committed against a river can be tried in court.
Egs of Countries that are giving rivers rights similar to those of a living person? (3)
• Ecuador.
• Bolivia.
• New Zealand.
1st steps you should check before anything else? (2)
• Take water samples at site of pollution (affected area) & site of effluent discharge.
• Test for EDCs & COD.
Case Study 2?
Hennops River (SA).
Hennops river features? (2)
• No aquatic life anywhere.
• Algal growth & hypoxic environment.
As investigating officers, your task is to identify the possible causes & suggest any remedy if required.
Guideline points of approaching case studies? (7)
• Is there a problem?
• What causes hypoxia/low DO?
• Nature of the pollution.
• Potential sources of pollution.
• Are there toxicological issues?
• Who could be at fault?
• How can the problem be remedied?
Implementations from Hennops river? (3)
• Clean the Hennops river manually.
• Inserting a large mesh net to block waste from entering the river.
• Placing wires along the river to prevent solid waste like clothing to enter the river.
