Wastewater definition

Wastewater is liquid waste discharged by domestic residences, commercial properties, industry, agriculture, which often contains some contaminants that result from the mixing of wastewater from different sources.

Based on its origin wastewater can be classed as sanitary, commercial, industrial, agricultural or surface runoff. Term wastewater need to be separated from the term sewage, sewage is subset of wastewater that is contaminated with feces or urine though many people use term sewage referring to any waste water.

Wastewater mostly consists of pure water (more than 95%), and there are numerous processes that can be used to clean up waste waters depending on the type and extent of contamination. Treated wastewater can then be reused as the drinking water after it has been cleared of contaminants.

The treatment of wastewater is not only important for our own health but also to keep our environment clean and healthy. Without the proper wastewater treatment many ecosystems would be severely damaged once the treated water gets recharged back into the environment.