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The Deer Island Waste Water Treatment Plant, serving the Boston, Massachusetts area, is a typical point source discharger. Point source water pollution comes from discrete conveyances and alters the chemical, biological, and physical characteristics of water. In the United States, it is largely regulated by the Clean Water Act (CWA). [1]
Wastewater (or waste water) is water generated after the use of freshwater, raw water, drinking water or saline water in a variety of deliberate applications or processes. [1]: 1 Another definition of wastewater is "Used water from any combination of domestic, industrial, commercial or agricultural activities, surface runoff / storm water, and any sewer inflow or sewer infiltration".
In the United States, the Clean Water Act requires all direct effluent discharges to surface waters to be regulated with permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). [15] [16] Indirect dischargers–facilities which send their wastewater to municipal sewage treatment plants–may be subject to pretreatment ...
Throughout history, people have devised systems to make getting water into their communities and households and disposing of (and later also treating) wastewater more convenient. [ 1 ] The historical focus of sewage treatment was on the conveyance of raw sewage to a natural body of water, e.g. a river or ocean , where it would be diluted and ...
Topsoil runoff from farm, central Iowa (2011). Water pollution in the United States is a growing problem that became critical in the 19th century with the development of mechanized agriculture, mining, and manufacturing industries—although laws and regulations introduced in the late 20th century have improved water quality in many water bodies. [1]
Sewage treatment plant (a type of wastewater treatment plant) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Wastewater treatment is a process which removes and eliminates contaminants from wastewater. It thus converts it into an effluent that can be returned to the water cycle. Once back in the water cycle, the effluent creates an acceptable impact on the environment.
Sewage (or domestic wastewater) consists of wastewater discharged from residences and from commercial, institutional and public facilities that exist in the locality. [2]: 10 Sewage is a mixture of water (from the community's water supply), human excreta (feces and urine), used water from bathrooms, food preparation wastes, laundry wastewater, and other waste products of normal living.
According to a paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Clean Water Act has been one of the most controversial regulations in the history of the United States. The paper suggests that it remains uncertain whether the Clean Water Act has been efficacious, or if there has been any discernible reduction in water pollution.