What is one of the potential environmental impacts of untreated wastewater discharge?

One of the significant potential environmental impacts of untreated wastewater discharge is a decrease in local biodiversity. When untreated wastewater enters natural water bodies, it often carries pollutants such as nutrients, pathogens, and heavy metals. The introduction of these contaminants can lead to harmful algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in the water and create dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive. This disrupts the existing ecosystems, leading to a decline in various species and degrading habitats. Consequently, the biological diversity of the area diminishes as sensitive species may be unable to tolerate the altered water quality and habitat conditions, making way for more resilient but often less desirable species. This loss of biodiversity can result in the destabilization of food webs and a reduced ability for ecosystems to recover from disturbances.