If wastewater effluent is inadequately treated and discharged, what is a likely consequence?

Inadequately treated wastewater effluent often leads to oxygen depletion in receiving water bodies. When excessive nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, enter the water system, they can cause algal blooms. These blooms consume significant amounts of dissolved oxygen during their growth and decomposition phases, creating hypoxic conditions that are harmful to aquatic life. Fish and other organisms may struggle to survive in such environments, which can lead to a decline in biodiversity and the overall health of the ecosystem.

While oxygen depletion is a major consequence, other issues such as nutrient enrichment, high toxicity, and increased sedimentation may also occur, but oxygen depletion is particularly critical due to its immediate impact on aquatic organisms. Understanding the interactions between wastewater discharges and aquatic environments is essential for effective wastewater treatment and management to prevent these consequences.