Wastewater is water that has been used and contaminated by homes, businesses, industries, or runoff, and is discharged as sewage or effluent.
Key features
- Includes domestic sewage (toilets, sinks, baths), industrial effluent, and often stormwater or infiltrated groundwater.
- Contains organic matter, nutrients, chemicals, pathogens, and suspended solids that make it unsuitable for immediate reuse.
- Requires treatment before safe discharge to the environment or reuse.
Short example
Water from a household drain or a factory outlet is wastewater because it carries pollutants from daily use or production processes.
