Question

Why is it important to reduce the amount of biodegradable organic matter and nutrients during water treatment?

Answer 1

Biodegradable organic matter, though less harmful than nonbiodegradable matter, can still have destructive effects on the water into which the matter is released. In large amounts of biodegradable materials are dangerous to ater bodies because organisms that break down the organic mater need to use dissolved oxygen This depletes the supply of oxygen in the water. This can decrease the quality of the water and result in death of aquatic life. Excess of nutrients also cause a phenomenon called algal bloom, ie overgrowth of algae depleting oxygen levels in the water body