Reflective Writing: Water Pollution, Treatment & Chemical Analysis

This reflective writing assignment delves into the author's experiences in water pollution control, sanitation, and wastewater treatment, highlighting the importance of these fields for humanity and environmental preservation. It discusses principles, practices, and methods for wastewater treatment, including phase separation, sedimentation, filtration, oxidation, and polishing, emphasizing the role of preliminary, primary, secondary, and tertiary processes. The writing also reflects on the author's experience in interpreting chemical and bacteriological analyses of water samples, referencing standards set by WHO and EPA. Furthermore, it touches upon relevant knowledge of governmental processes like the Clean Water Act and the author's role in assisting senior staff in identifying pollution problems and raising public awareness. The assignment concludes with a reflection on public speaking experiences related to wastewater treatment and sanitation, emphasizing the need for public awareness and education on these critical issues.

Running Head: REFLECTIVE WRITING
REFLECTIVE WRITING
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Topic- work experience in the following areas: water pollution control,
sanitation, or wastewater treatment
With the growth and development of industries, water pollution has come up as a serious
issue affecting the hygiene of a particular state and country. Waste water treatment is one of the
most significant instances depicting the success of modern science and technology. The
wastewater is returned back to the water cycle without affecting the environment. Working in the
field of water pollution control, sanitation or wastewater makes me truly proud because it is a
kind of work done for the benefits of humanity. I have been working in this department since 3
years and it gives me the feeling of a responsible social worker. Keeping our environment clean
is a social responsibility. It has been surveyed that the water resources are gradually contracting
which is a serious threat the humanity is going to face in the coming years. Since water is a
major need to stay alive, every drop of it should be saved to avoid drinking water scarcity. Being
part of this mission enthralls me with happiness and satisfaction and I would love to stay in this
department in the coming years too.
Topic- Principles, practices and methods for wastewater treatment and/or
water pollution control
Some of the most used processes for the conversion are phase separation, sedimentation,
filtration, oxidation and polishing. In addition to these processes, preliminary, primary,
secondary and tertiary processes also get added. In the phase separation process solid impurities
from the water get separated and transferred into a non-aqueous or dry state. Settling tanks are
used for leaving the water for sedimentation. The filtration process removes comparably finer
solids. The oxidation process reduces the toxicity of many of the impurities (Asghar, Raman and

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Daud 2015). The organic compounds are converted into water, bio solids and CO2 by the
secondary treatment. Chlorine, hypochlorite and ozone are used to disinfect the water to be
further used safely. This process is widely used in the agricultural and industrial field. The last
method which is polishing is the follow up of the above mentioned methods (Wu et al. 2015).
The activated sludge practice helps removing the EDCs (endocrine disrupting
compounds) and PPCPs (pharmaceuticals and personal care products) from the wastewater but
the elimination process stays sometimes incomplete. The rate of solubility increases with the
high polarity of the molecule. The practice is useful in reducing high EDC but often estrogens,
BPA (bisphenol A) and alkyphenols stay unnoticed in the water. The reverse osmosis separates
ionic salts by a special kind of filtration (Wu et al. 2015). According to an experiment this
process removes more than 90% of harmful steroid hormones from drinking water. Nano-
filtration along with the reverse osmosis process might result in effective removal of PPCPS. The
ozonization process treats the water with ozone, strengthening the oxidizing agents which can
fight with the contaminants and break them down (Oturan and Aaron 2014). Carbamazepine and
bezafibrate are removed up to greater extent by this process.
Topic-An experience of interpreting chemical and bacteriological analysis of
water
I had experienced a chemical and bacteriological analysis which was conducted on
stream water, well water and drinking water in Nigeria (Izah and Ineyougha 2015). The chemical
analysis of water/wastewater is conducted through conventional wet chemistry (dissolved
oxygen, filtration, chlorine presence) and electro chemistry (pH, conductivity). The
bacteriological analysis of water/waste water is done to estimate the presence of bacteria in

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drinking water. The outcomes of the analysis were contrasted with the WHO and EPA standards.
All other sources matched with the standards in terms of PH and colour except a particular
stream water. The number of pathogens in these waters were high which could cause gastro-
intestinal diseases.
Topic- Relevant experience or knowledge of regulatory and/or governmental
processes
The Clean Water Act is a significant step taken by the USA government which regulates
the discharge of contaminants and pollutants in water. The Act was first enacted in the year 1948
but in the year 1972 the name was replaced by ‘Clear Water Act’. EPA works under the law and
maintains its rules throughout the country (Wardropper, Chang and Rissman 2015). My work
experience in these fields will help me to assist the senior level staff to survey and identify the
problems first measuring the level of pollutants in water resources. My study will help me to
minutely observe and recommend solutions for the problem. Next step will be assisting my
senior in raising awareness by public campaigns in different towns and villages.
Topic-Public speaking experience regarding water pollution/wastewater
treatment and sanitation
In one such campaign which was within my coursework, I have interacted with common
people and found out the root of the problem which is lack of awareness and correct knowledge
of the issue. The topic of my interaction was related to wastewater treatment and I described to
them about how they can avail fresh and healthy water through these processes.

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References
Asghar, A., Raman, A.A.A. and Daud, W.M.A.W., 2015. Advanced oxidation processes for in-
situ production of hydrogen peroxide/hydroxyl radical for textile wastewater treatment: a
review. Journal of cleaner production, 87, pp.826-838.
Izah, S.C. and Ineyougha, E.R., 2015. A review of the microbial quality of potable water sources
in Nigeria. Journal of Advances in Biological and Basic Research, 1(1), pp.12-19.
Luo, Y., Guo, W., Ngo, H.H., Nghiem, L.D., Hai, F.I., Zhang, J., Liang, S. and Wang, X.C.,
2014. A review on the occurrence of micropollutants in the aquatic environment and their fate
and removal during wastewater treatment. Science of the Total Environment, 473, pp.619-641.
Oturan, M.A. and Aaron, J.J., 2014. Advanced oxidation processes in water/wastewater
treatment: principles and applications. A review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and
Technology, 44(23), pp.2577-2641.
Wardropper, C.B., Chang, C. and Rissman, A.R., 2015. Fragmented water quality governance:
constraints to spatial targeting for nutrient reduction in a Midwestern USA
watershed. Landscape and Urban Planning, 137, pp.64-75.
Wu, H., Zhang, J., Ngo, H.H., Guo, W., Hu, Z., Liang, S., Fan, J. and Liu, H., 2015. A review on
the sustainability of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment: design and
operation. Bioresource technology, 175, pp.594-601.