please follow apa 6th edition format and include intext cit…
please follow apa 6th edition format and include intext citations Follow this template. The rubric for grading of this final research paper is also attached. Here are links for videos describing the process behind key ICS areas: Water and sewage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRaptzcp9G4 Purchase the answer to view it
Answer
Title: The Role of Water and Sewage Infrastructure in Ensuring Public Health and Environmental Sustainability
Introduction
Water and sewage infrastructure plays a pivotal role in maintaining the overall well-being of society and ensuring environmental sustainability. These systems are critical for providing access to clean and safe drinking water, managing wastewater, and protecting public health. This research paper aims to analyze and evaluate the significance of water and sewage infrastructure in achieving these objectives, with a focus on the United States context.
Clean and Safe Drinking Water
Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right and is essential for maintaining public health. Water infrastructure, such as water treatment plants and distribution networks, ensures that water sources are purified from contaminants and delivered to consumers. This infrastructure represents a complex network of infrastructure components, including reservoirs, pumping stations, pipelines, and treatment facilities (American Society of Civil Engineers [ASCE], 2017). The proper maintenance and operation of these components are essential to ensure the provision of high-quality drinking water to communities.
Water treatment processes involve multiple stages, such as coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, aimed at removing impurities and pathogens from the water. These processes significantly reduce the risk of waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid, and dysentery (World Health Organization [WHO], 2017). Additionally, water infrastructure must comply with appropriate regulatory frameworks, such as the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) in the United States, which sets standards for water quality to protect public health (United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2015).
Wastewater Management
Wastewater infrastructure is responsible for the collection, treatment, and disposal of used water from various sources. This includes wastewater from domestic, commercial, and industrial activities, as well as stormwater runoff. Effective wastewater management is essential to prevent water pollution, protect ecosystems, and ensure a sustainable water supply.
The treatment of wastewater involves different processes, such as primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment, aimed at removing harmful substances, organic matter, and pathogens. Primary treatment involves physical processes, such as sedimentation and screening, to remove large particles and solids. Secondary treatment utilizes biological processes, like activated sludge treatment, to further remove organic matter and pathogens. Tertiary treatment, if required, provides additional removal of nutrients and trace contaminants (ASCE, 2017).
By treating wastewater before its release into the environment, water infrastructure eliminates potential pollution sources and safeguards the quality of water bodies. Furthermore, wastewater infrastructure helps to conserve water resources through the reuse of treated wastewater, particularly in arid regions facing water scarcity (Johnston et al., 2019).