TM 5-814-8
Undesirable characteristics and effects of wastewater
Table 2-1.
discharges and remedial approaches
Undesirable Characteristics and
Constituent
Remedial Approaches
Soluble Degradable
Depletion of dissolved oxygen in
streams leading in severe cases to fish
Organics
kills; development of anaerobic condi-
tions; evolution of malodorous gases
Dis-
and an unsightly environment.
charge within assimilative capacity of
water body or by effluent standards.
Adverse effects on squat i c life;
Toxic Materials
accumulation of toxic materials and
and Elements
transfer to man via food chains; intro-
duction of toxic materials to domestic
Usually rigid
water supply systems.
limitation imposed on discharge of
such materials.
impose
undesirable;
Aesthetically
Color and Turbidity
increased loads on water treatment
plants.
Persist in the environment for long
Refractory Organics
periods; may cause aesthetic (e.g.,
foam) or public health (e.g., chlori-
nated hydrocarbons) problems.
Aesthetically undesirable; may inter-
Oil and Floating
fere with natural stream reaeration.
Materials
Regulations usually require complete
removal.
Enhance eutrophication (i.e., blooms
Nutrients (nitrogen
of algae in lakes and ponded areas);
and phosphorus)
critical in recreational areas.
Suspended Solids
Create sludge deposits in streams
resulting in malodorous and anaerobic
conditions.
Discharge limits are
imposed by regulatory agencies.
Acids and Alkali
Shift the acid-base equilibria in
streams;
endanger
aquatic
life;
adversely affect water quality for
domestic, industrial, and navigational
use.
Most regulatory codes require
neutralization of wastewater prior to
discharge.
Heat
Thermal pollution resulting in deple-
tion of dissolved oxygen; thermal
barriers restrict movement of aquatic
organisms and cause a shift in biotic
Dissolved Salts
Increases the salinity of receiving
fresh water i.e., brackish water;
impairs reuse for water supplies.
2-3
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