What is sewage from commercial institutions
What is Sewage from Commercial Institutions: Understanding the Sources and Impact
Sewage is the wastewater that is generated from human activities, and it is one of the most significant environmental and public health concerns globally. While we often focus on domestic sewage, sewage generated from commercial institutions such as hotels, restaurants, and factories also play a significant role. In this blog post, we will explore what sewage from commercial institutions is, where it comes from, and its impact on the environment and public health.
What is Sewage from Commercial Institutions?
Sewage from commercial institutions is the wastewater generated from non-residential activities, including hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and factories. This wastewater is composed of various sources, including toilets, sinks, kitchens, and other activities, and it contains different contaminants depending on the type of commercial institution and the activities that take place there.
The contaminants found in sewage from commercial institutions can include pathogens, nutrients, and chemicals. For instance, sewage from hotels may contain high levels of cleaning chemicals and detergents, while sewage from restaurants may contain high levels of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) that result from cooking activities. In contrast, sewage from factories can contain heavy metals and other toxic chemicals that can cause severe environmental and public health impacts.
Sources of Sewage from Commercial Institutions
The sources of sewage from commercial institutions vary depending on the type of commercial activity. For instance, hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers are known to generate significant amounts of wastewater daily. These institutions may have multiple sources of sewage, including kitchens, laundry, and toilets.
Hotels, for example, generate large volumes of wastewater from kitchen activities, laundry, and toilet flushing. While the kitchens produce wastewater containing food waste and detergents, the laundry wastewater contains detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners. Additionally, wastewater from the toilets contains fecal matter, urine, and toilet paper, which may contain various pathogens.
Restaurants also generate a considerable amount of sewage from their kitchens, where wastewater may contain high levels of FOG, which can cause blockages in sewer lines and pose significant public health risks. In contrast, factories may generate different contaminants such as heavy metals and other toxic chemicals used in their operations.
Impact of Sewage from Commercial Institutions
Sewage from commercial institutions has significant impacts on the environment and public health, which requires attention from regulatory agencies, commercial institutions, and the public. The impact can be categorized as follows:
Environmental Impact
Sewage from commercial institutions has a considerable environmental impact, particularly on the quality of water bodies. When sewage is discharged into water bodies such as rivers and lakes, it can cause eutrophication, which is the excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants. This can lead to a depletion of oxygen in the water, which can cause fish and other aquatic animals to die.
Sewage also contains high levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can cause algal blooms. These blooms can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals. For instance, in 2014, a harmful algal bloom in Lake Erie caused the drinking water supply of Toledo, Ohio, to be shut down for several days.
Public Health Impact
The sewage from commercial institutions also has a significant impact on public health. Sewage contains a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause a range of diseases, including diarrhea, cholera, and hepatitis. Moreover, the chemicals and other contaminants in sewage can cause long-term health effects, including cancer, neurological disorders, and reproductive problems.
A study conducted in 2013 found that the incidence of gastrointestinal illness was higher in areas with a high density of restaurants. This is because sewage from restaurants contains high levels of FOG, which can clog pipes and cause sewage.