What impact can untreated wastewater have on the environment?

Untreated wastewater can lead to algal blooms, which occur when excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, enter water bodies. These nutrients often come from human and animal waste, fertilizers, and industrial discharge. When wastewater is released untreated, it enriches the water with these nutrients, promoting rapid growth of algae.

Algal blooms can have several detrimental effects on the environment. They block sunlight from reaching aquatic plants, which can disrupt photosynthesis and harm the overall ecosystem. Additionally, when the algae die, they decompose, a process that consumes oxygen in the water. This can lead to hypoxic or anoxic conditions, creating "dead zones" where aquatic life cannot survive.

Understanding the link between untreated wastewater and algal blooms is crucial for recognizing the broader implications of wastewater management and the importance of proper treatment processes to safeguard environmental health.