Webquest - Mr. Pate's Science Classes



Earth/ Environmental Science Name______________________________

Chapter 6 Water Quality Date_________ Score________

Waste Water Treatment Webquest

Introduction

For thousands of years, civilizations have used water to carry wastes away from homes and workplaces.  In the past, the guiding principle was that the "solution to pollution is dilution".  No matter how dirty something is, if you throw enough water at it, it will disappear.  Modern science has shown us that simple forms of waste treatment like dilution only solve a small part of the problem.

 

Task

 You will investigate how water is purified through modern wastewater treatment methods, the effects of those methods on the environment, and predict the future evolution of wastewater treatment as our government debates the seriousness of current water pollution.  

Part I;  The Process

1. Review Figure 1 above to understand how wastewater is processed. This is a basic diagram to show you how the water is purified to be returned to a local watershed.

2. You will take the virtual tour of the Blaine Sanitary Water District:

A. Click on the following numbers to help you understand what occurs during each step of WWT

Process and record answers only to the stated questions for each. Also click on the pictures to

help you understand these basic steps:

#1 Debris and Gut Removal Building-

A. What happens here?

#2 Primary Sediment Building

A. What is meant by sedimentation?

B. Why are salts added to the water?

#3 Secondary Reactors Building

A. Click on the third image – What is added to the water and why?

#4 Secondary Sedimentation Building

A. What happens here between the solids and liquids?

#5 Nitrification/Denitrification Building

A. What is the purpose of this key step?

#6 Nitrification Sedimentation Basins Building

A. What continues at this location?

#7 Nitrification Sedimentation Basins Building

A. What are these basins designed to do?

#8 Filtration and Disinfection Building

A. What happens here?

B. What prevents any solids from entering the Potomac River?

C. Why is sand used in this step?

Part II

1. Watch the U-Tube Video at this limit and summarize the steps introduced on the video clip.

2. Go to the link Draw the parts of the Wastewater treatment plant as shown in the website: Be sure to explain each of the following parts:

a. Screening

b. Pumping

c. Aeration

d. Removing Sludge

e. Removing Scum

f. Killing Bacteria

g. Wastewater Residuals

Thinking Out of the Box--Points to Ponder:

What biological organism is used to assist in the purification of wastewater?

What is their role in this process?

Describe any additional wastewater treatments that may be used in the future to better remove pollutants.

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Figure 1: Basic Wastewater Treatment process

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