Up to 99% of wastewater can be pure water. The remaining percent is "total solids." This is what remains if wastewater is totally dried.
Total solids are classified as either dissolved or suspended solids. Of the suspended solids some are settleable and some are colloidal. Dissolved solids would pass right through filters. Some are organic and some are inorganic.
The organic matter of wastewater typically consists of
proteins (40-60%),
carbohydrates (25-50%) and
fats and oils (8-12%).
Wastewater can also include synthetic organic molecules. Nitrogen and phosphorus arrives via wastewater and can cause aquatic biological activity to increase, which would lower the dissolved oxygen in lakes and rivers. Micro-organisms in wastewater may cause diseases and that's why disinfection is part of treatment. Here at the Superior Wastewater Treatment Facility we use UV light to disinfect the water.
Note: We can help prevent stormwater pollution be reducing the solids that enter the storm drains. Growing native plants greatly reduces the amount of stormwater run-off and holds soil in place. Washing cars at a carwash lets the dirt from the car do to a special drain to trap dirt particles instead of having those go down storm drains. These are just a couple examples to help keep Lake Superior clean.
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