Page 29 - Industrial Wastewater Treatment, Recycling and Reuse

12 Industrial Wastewater Treatment, Recycling, and Reuse

Water Treatment, Water Treatment,
Recycle & reuse Water Recycle & reuse
demand

Agriculture Population Industry
Increased
Increased
food demand
industrial production
Increased
sewage Chemicals, metals, etc.
Fertilizers and pesticides
Pollution
Treated effluent Treated effluent
Figure 1.7 Sustainability—a proper perspective.

ladder to encompass the overall environmental scenario. Issues pertaining to
industrial water pollution and effluent treatment are related to water safety
and security as well and impact economic and social growth. Stricter and
enforceable government regulations on pollution control and access to
affordable and effective solutions to industrial wastewater treatment are
essential. Further, for sustainable growth, there is a need to accept environ-
mental challenges by way of developing green processes, minimizing waste-
water generation, and creating awareness along with employment for
sustainable development and safeguarding quality of life.
Although it is imperative that industry is needed for human survival,
growth, and progress, it cannot be at the cost of human security. Thus, even
though pollution may not be life threatening at present, the industry needs
to carefully assess its adverse effects on the environment and make suitable
long-term projections. If the overall effects point toward unsustainability
of the environment, such industry then becomes unsustainable from a
long-term point of view. This viewpoint is irrespective of the economic
soundness of the industry or current sustainability criteria. To resolve such
issues, there is a need to change the entire focus in such a way that water
recycling and reuse is an integral part of our functioning so that there remains
no scarcity of water and no damage to the environment, and the environ-
ment remains safe for living in.