Rationale for a water pollution code

Abstract

A water pollution code must quantitatively express the amount and locations of allowable waste discharges. To do this, each of the steps leading to the decision on allowable waste discharge must be defined and qualified. Seven of these steps were discussed in parts I and II of this analysis.

The final step, which is discussed here, involves the selection and application of the most acceptable and efficient waste control strategy.

Actions taken in the waste control strategy change the levels of waste generation, treatment and discharge, and modify the impact of the wastes on the natural environment. Thus the eight steps making up the chain of reasoning in waste control form a closed loop, termed the waste management cycle. Waste management involves the iterative use of each of the eight steps in the waste management cycle.