Water shortage is turning out to be one of the gravest challenges facing the world particularly in the fast developing cities. Schools are one of the educational institutions that use a significant amount of water daily to clean the school, maintain the kitchens, laboratories, and landscapes. This water is discharged as waste without proper management of wastewater, thereby compelling the freshwater resources and leading to pollution of the environment.
Good management of school wastewater management is a long term sustainability strategy that assists institutions to save on water, save on operation expenses, enhance hygiene as well as safeguard the environment. Through wastewater treatment and reuse, schools will be able to become subjects of environmental protection, instead of being resources drainers.
Getting to know about Wastewater Generation in Schools.
Schools produce wastes that are used in the form of wastewater, which is formed by:
- Washrooms and toilets
- Handwashing stations
- Science laboratories
- Canteens and kitchens
- Floor and campus cleaning
- Gardening and landscaping
This wastewater has organic waste, detergents, bacterias, and others. When discharged without any treatment, it is likely to contaminate soil, ground water, and local water bodies. Treatment will ensure that the undesirable substances are eliminated and the water may be reused safely in other non-drinking purposes.
Why Schools Should Manage their Wastewater
1. Water Conservation
There is scarcity in fresh water resources and water shortages are already being experienced in many areas. Treatment of wastewater enables the schools to use the water to flush, garden, and clean, and avoids a high reliance on the municipal or underground water supply.
2. Environmental Protection
Raw sewage pollutes the natural ecosystems. Pollution is avoided by being treated properly and protects rivers, lakes and underground water sources.
3. Improved Hygiene and Safety
The treated wastewater removes pathogens and odors that cause contamination leading to clean and safe environment among the students and staff.
4. Cost Reduction
Recycling water will enable schools to save on water bills as well as the overall costs of operating the schools.
The way Wastewater Treatment Conserves Water
Water recycling is one of the largest benefits associated with wastewater management. Re-use of treated water can be made in:
- Toilet flushing
- Gardening and irrigation
- Floor and campus cleaning
- Air conditioning systems (on big campuses)
This reuse can save 40-60 percent of fresh water depending on the size of the reuse and the use. In the long term, cost that is saved in the water costs will cover an investment in the treatment systems.
School Wastewater Treatment Solutions.
Small-scale Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).
Compact STPs that are now being developed are schools that are less in size. These systems are also efficient in treating wastewater through the use of biological and filtration systems and the little maintenance that is required.
Greywater Recycling Systems.
The sinks and washing areas have greywater that can be treated independently and reused, lessening the burden of the main treatment system.
Biological Treatment Technologies.
Biological processes that are environmentally friendly decompose organic waste without extra use of chemicals and consumption of energy.
Modular Systems
Schools are able to install systems that are in accordance to the needs at hand and can be expanded with the growth of the institution.
Ekam Eco is one of the companies that offer eco-friendly wastewater management solutions tailored to the needs of educational institutions and allow them to be water efficient and ecologically compliant.
School Wastewater Management Environmental Benefits.
Reduced Water Extraction
The use of treated water will save natural resources as groundwater does not have to be extracted, and there is no necessity to use municipal supply.
Lower Sewage Load
On-site treatment eliminates the stress on the local sewage systems and enhances urban sanitation.
Pollution Prevention
Treatment eliminates the bad contaminants, which cause soil and water pollution.
Climate Sustainability Support.
Water management reduces energy usage about water supply and treatment thus decreasing the carbon footprint.
Economical and Operational Benefits.
Most schools have been reluctant to invest in wastewater treatment because of the cost factors. Nevertheless, the contemporary systems have considerable long term advantages:
Reduce the costs of water procurement.
- Lower effluent disposal fee.
- Very low maintenance needs.
- Long operational life
- Value of increased infrastructure.
Moreover, sustainable infrastructure would promote the reputation of the institution and prove the social responsibility.
Student Education Value.
The wastewater management systems are other learning aids. They can be used to teach students in schools concerning:
- Water conservation
- Environmental protection
- Sustainability in natural resources.
- Climate change awareness
Such practical exposure can be used to develop environmentally conscious practices at a tender age.
Assisting Green Campus and Certification Goals.
Sustainable management of wastewater leads to the green building and environmental certifications including:
- IGBC (Indian Green Building Council)
- GRIHA
- LEED
Such certifications build upon the credibility of the institutions and show the willingness to sustainability and sustainable development of infrastructure.
Management of Water in Schools of the Future.
The contemporary campuses are shifting towards intelligent and environmentally friendly infrastructure. Future trends include:
Water monitoring systems based on IoT.
Treatment and maintenance alerts that are automated.
Combination with rain water harvesting.
Zero liquid discharge systems.
Smart water usage analytics
FAQs
1. What is school wastewater management?
School wastewater management is the collection of waste water, treatment and reuse of waste water produced due to wash rooms, kitchens, laboratories, and cleaning operations.
2. What is the amount of water that schools can conserve through recycling of their waste materials?
Using treated water to flush the toilets, watering the gardens, and washing the schools can save 40-60 percent of freshwater.
3. Is reused wastewater safe to use?
Yes, treated wastewater is not harmful to non drinking like irrigation, flushing, clean up.
4. Do wastewater treatment systems cost high to maintain?
The latest systems are automated, use less energy and need very little maintenance thus they are cost effective in the long run.
5. Does Wastewater management make schools green certified?
Yes, sustainable water management promotes such certifications as IGBC, LEED, and GRIHA.
Conclusion
Schools no longer have a choice when it comes to managing their wastewater effectively and this is a vital measure to sustainable campus development. Through wastewater treatment and reuse, educational facilities are able to save water, save money, enhance sanitation, and limit their environmental effects. Schools may adopt effective and convenient wastewater treatment systems using innovative solutions of Ekam Eco depending on their sustainability objectives.