The pandemic is not yet over. Vaccines are still being tested as of late, and new positive cases continue to rise all over the world. The best thing that people can do to stay protected against the deadly virus is to boost their immune system and implement consistent and stringent sanitation procedures in all public and private areas. In Australia alone, privately-owned organisations like Infinite Water are working to spread awareness on the importance of proper water waste management in curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
How does proper waste management affect the world’s defences against the ongoing global health crisis? You might ask. Well, to put it simply, properly sanitised waters prevent the spread of bacteria and waste that could potentially lead to deadly diseases and widespread infection.
Waste and Diseases Spread Faster in Bodies of Water
A good example of this is a biomedical waste.
Biomedical waste from hospitals is one of the most threatening among the numerous waste materials discarded daily. It carries a broad range of hazardous and highly infectious substances that when not disposed of correctly, may leak into bodies of water and sources of potable drinking water.
According to a representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), their efforts in implementing waste management interferences in various hospitals have significantly contributed to reaching an almost COVID-free setting in the chosen medical facilities for the project.
Water flows everywhere. It can reach oceans and even the comforts of trillions of homes. As such, if one country or area fails to do their part in preventing water contamination, it could cause a quick spread to the neighbouring towns. When that happens, people become more
susceptible to the deadly disease, along with a plethora of other life-threatening infections.
Repurposing Wastewater
Apart from the proper disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials, some companies also repurpose industrial wastewater and transform it into clean water that’s safe to use. One of the processes used in recycling wastewater is called reverse osmosis.
In reverse osmosis, a membrane or filter is used to capture big and small particles of waste submerged in the water. The particles are separated and trapped in the filter, while the water is cleaned as it passes through the membrane. Water that has been sanitised and cleaned through reverse osmosis is typically used for flushing toilets, washing cars, kitchen utensils, and laundry, gardening, irrigation, and even for boiling eggs and keeping fruits cool.
Other organisations employ more advanced technology in water sanitation. Some companies specialising in providing and distributing purified drinking water, use a specific type of technology to disinfect and decontaminate wastewater. The wonderful thing about this is that it consumes fewer chemicals and energy, making it a cost-effective and highly safe method for recycling contaminated water and making it safe to consume again.
It would be a serious problem if there were a dramatic decrease in the potable water supply. Several people will suffer from dehydration; the spread of various diseases will become apparent. In turn, hospitals and medical facilities will lose their capacity to provide proper healthcare to their patients.
Indeed, without these advanced interventions in cleaning the environment, people will lose access to sanitised and crystal-clear water soon. Vigilance and proper hygiene are also a must, and taking care of the bodies of water surrounding everyone is an effective way to maintain that. It is good to remember there is no clean and infinite water source at our disposal, so keeping sources clean is inevitable for our sustenance, especially in these hard times.