Final answer:
To avoid polluting the environment with untreated sewage, you should only dispose of sewage and dissolvable products in toilets, maintain sewage treatment systems regularly, and pump out holding tanks before reaching capacity for proper treatment. Hence, option (b) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
To avoid polluting the environment with untreated sewage, the following actions should be taken:
- Avoid disposing of anything other than sewage and dissolvable sanitation products in your toilet system, to prevent blockages and reduce pollution.
- Ensure regular maintenance of the sewage treatment facilities, whether it's a sewage treatment plant in urban areas or a septic tank system in rural settings, to prevent malfunctions and leaks into the environment.
- Engage in proper disposal practices, such as pumping out your holding tank before it reaches capacity and ensuring that it is properly treated, to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases and reduce environmental pollution.
Untreated sewage can cause multiple environmental problems, including the introduction of pathogenic microorganisms, oxygen-demanding waste, nutrients, and toxic heavy metals into natural water bodies. It is critical to follow these steps to maintain the health of our ecosystems and prevent harmful impacts on public health. By doing so, we contribute to the resolution of the global water pollution crisis.