Boiler blow-down, sanitary wastewater, and non-contact cooling water are examples of?

Boiler blow-down, sanitary wastewater, and non-contact cooling water are classified as diluted streams because they typically contain lower concentrations of pollutants relative to raw wastewater or industrial discharges. Each of these examples involves water that has been used in a specific function but does not contain the high levels of contaminants often associated with sewage or heavily polluted industrial effluents.

Boiler blow-down, for instance, is the process of removing water from a boiler to control the concentration of impurities and maintain water quality, resulting in a stream that has been treated and is less concentrated. Sanitary wastewater consists of human waste and is considered diluted compared to untreated sewage due to its collection and treatment in municipal systems. Non-contact cooling water is water used to absorb heat in industrial processes that does not come into direct contact with production materials, making it less contaminated and more diluted.

This understanding of what qualifies as diluted streams helps in wastewater management practices, as it ensures that these streams are appropriately treated before being released into the environment or reused.