sidewall

(b) To guide the flow of wastewater and prevent sediment from escaping

(b) They help control the flow of aeration for efficient breakdown of organic matter.

(c) Ensuring proper mixing of chemicals for contaminant aggregation.

(d) Water purification through distillation

(c) They are designed to be durable, corrosion-resistant, and impervious to water and pollutants.

**1. Material Selection:** For the sidewalls of a wastewater lagoon, a suitable material would be **reinforced concrete**. Here's why: * **Cost-effective:** Concrete is generally affordable, especially for large-scale projects. * **Durable:** Concrete is robust and can withstand the stresses of containing wastewater and potential fluctuations in water levels. * **Corrosion-resistant:** Properly designed concrete can resist the corrosive effects of wastewater. * **Environmental Impact:** Concrete is a commonly used material with established manufacturing processes, making its environmental impact relatively well-understood. **2. Design Considerations:** * **Stability:** The sidewalls need to be strong enough to resist the hydrostatic pressure from the wastewater and the potential forces from wind and earthquakes. This can be achieved by: * **Thickness:** The concrete walls should have sufficient thickness to withstand the pressure. * **Reinforcement:** Steel rebars embedded within the concrete will provide additional strength. * **Foundation:** A properly designed foundation that can distribute the load from the walls will ensure stability. * **Leakage prevention:** To prevent leakage, the concrete needs to be impermeable. This can be achieved by: * **Proper mixing and curing:** Ensuring the concrete is properly mixed and allowed to cure adequately will create a dense and impermeable structure. * **Sealants:** Applying sealant on the inside and outside of the walls will further prevent any leaks. * **Joint design:** Joints between sections of the concrete should be designed to minimize the chance of leaks. **3. Consequences of Deterioration:** * **Environmental Impact:** Deterioration of the lagoon's sidewalls would result in leakage of untreated wastewater into the surrounding soil and potentially nearby water bodies. This could lead to: * **Water pollution:** Elevated levels of pollutants in the water, harming aquatic life. * **Soil contamination:** Contamination of groundwater and surrounding soils, affecting plant life and potentially leaching into drinking water sources. * **Public health risks:** Contaminated water sources can pose a serious threat to human health. * **Community Impact:** * **Costly repairs:** Repairing or replacing the damaged sidewalls would be expensive, potentially putting a financial burden on the community. * **Disruption of services:** The lagoon may need to be taken offline for repairs, interrupting wastewater treatment and potentially leading to public health concerns. * **Negative image:** Leakage of wastewater can damage the community's reputation and create public backlash.