Revise later
SpaceTo flip
If confident
All Flashcards
Define effluent.
Treated wastewater discharged from a treatment facility.
Define biosolids.
Solid organic matter recovered from a sewage treatment process that can be used as fertilizer.
Define sludge.
Solid waste that settles to the bottom of a septic tank or sewage treatment plant.
Define leachate.
Liquid that has percolated through a solid and leached out some of its constituents; often refers to liquid from landfills.
Define groundwater pollution.
Contamination of underground water sources, making them unsafe for use.
Define point source pollution.
Pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source.
Define nonpoint source pollution.
Pollution that comes from diffuse sources and is harder to trace.
Define MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level).
The maximum permissible level of a contaminant in drinking water, set by the EPA.
Define septic tank.
An underground wastewater treatment system for individual properties without access to a central sewer system.
Define drainage field (leach field).
A component of a septic system where effluent is discharged for further filtration and bacterial decomposition.
What is the goal of the Clean Water Act (CWA)?
Restore and maintain the integrity of U.S. surface waters.
What is the goal of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)?
Protect public health by regulating public drinking water supplies.
What does the CWA regulate?
Pollutant discharge into surface waters from point and nonpoint sources.
What does the SDWA regulate?
Quality of public drinking water supplies.
What is the NPDES permit program?
A CWA provision regulating point source discharges into surface waters.
What are Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)?
Standards set by the EPA for regulated contaminants in drinking water, under the SDWA.
What are the key provisions of the Clean Water Act?
EPA sets water quality standards, regulates point and nonpoint sources, NPDES permit program, wetland protection.
What are the key provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act?
EPA sets national standards, public water systems monitor water quality, MCLs are set, drinking water source protection.
How does the CWA protect wetlands?
Regulates activities that could damage or destroy wetlands, recognizing their ecological value.
What is the Clean Water State Revolving Fund?
Provides low-interest loans to states for water quality projects, including wastewater treatment facilities.
What are the effects of agricultural runoff on water quality?
Pesticides and fertilizers can contaminate surface and groundwater, leading to eutrophication and harming aquatic life.
What are the effects of poorly maintained septic systems?
Groundwater contamination with pathogens and nutrients, posing health risks and polluting water sources.
What are the effects of industrial discharge on water?
Chemicals, heavy metals, and other pollutants can contaminate water, harming aquatic life and human health.
What are the effects of landfills on groundwater?
Leachate from landfills can contaminate groundwater with harmful chemicals and pollutants.
What are the effects of water pollution on ecosystems?
Destruction of habitats, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of food chains.
What are the effects of water pollution on human health?
Increased risk of waterborne diseases, neurological damage, cancer, and other health problems.