waste water
Used household liquid
Waste water is water that has been used and contaminated—from household drains, industrial processes, or agricultural runoff.
It includes sewage, bath water, and factory discharge.
Treatment plants process waste water before releasing it back into the environment.
Also spelled as one word: wastewater.
Of the home
- industrialOf factories and production
- municipalOf city government
- blackwaterToilet waste or tannin-stained swamp
- greywaterLight household wastewater
stormwater · agricultural runoff · food processing · slaughterhouse · tannery
Discharged liquid waste
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
- chlorinationDisinfecting with a halogen
- aerationInfusing with oxygen
- sedimentationParticles settling in liquid
clarification · disinfection · ozonation · bioreactor · coagulation · flocculation · denitrification · nitrification
Wastewater removal infrastructure
- drainageLiquid removal system
- pipesCylindrical fluid carriers
- septic tankSubterranean sewage decomposition chamber
- manholeCovered underground entry
outfall · pumping station · interceptor · storm drain · trunk line · overflow · inflow · sanitary sewer
Introduction of impurities
- runoffExcess water drainage
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- eutrophicationExcess nutrients depleting oxygen
- heavy metalsDense metallic environmental contaminants
nitrates · phosphates · dead zones · algae bloom · pathogens · leachate · coliform · turbidity
Recovery of something lost
- graywaterNon-toilet household wastewater
- irrigationArtificial water supply for agriculture
- recyclingReprocessing used materials
- non-potableNot safe to drink
domestic
Of the home
- industrialOf factories and production
- municipalOf city government
- blackwaterToilet waste or tannin-stained swamp
greywater · stormwater · agricultural runoff · food processing · slaughterhouse · tannery
effluent
Discharged liquid waste
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
- chlorinationDisinfecting with a halogen
- aerationInfusing with oxygen
sedimentation · clarification · disinfection · ozonation · bioreactor · coagulation · flocculation · denitrification · nitrification · reverse osmosis
sewerage
Wastewater removal infrastructure
- drainageLiquid removal system
- pipesCylindrical fluid carriers
- septic tankSubterranean sewage decomposition chamber
manhole · outfall · pumping station · interceptor · storm drain · trunk line · overflow · inflow · sanitary sewer · grease trap
contamination
Introduction of impurities
- runoffExcess water drainage
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- eutrophicationExcess nutrients depleting oxygen
heavy metals · nitrates · phosphates · dead zones · algae bloom · pathogens · leachate · coliform · turbidity · microplastics
reclamation
Recovery of something lost
- graywaterNon-toilet household wastewater
- irrigationArtificial water supply for agriculture
- recyclingReprocessing used materials
- sanitationsewage, sewers, cleaning, sewer, disinfecting
waste waterdrinking water
Safe liquid for consumption
potable water · clean water · fresh water · pure water · purified water