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Wastewater (or waste water) is water generated after the use of freshwater, raw water, drinking water or saline water in a variety of deliberate applications or processes. [1]: 1 Another definition of wastewater is "Used water from any combination of domestic, industrial, commercial or agricultural activities, surface runoff / storm water, and any sewer inflow or sewer infiltration".
Raw water includes rainwater, ground water, water from infiltration wells, and water from bodies like lakes and rivers. Raw water is generally unsafe for human consumption due to the presence of contaminants. A major health problem in some developing countries is use of raw water for drinking and cooking. [1]
Sewage treatment plant (a type of wastewater treatment plant) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Wastewater treatment is a process which removes and eliminates contaminants from wastewater. It thus converts it into an effluent that can be returned to the water cycle. Once back in the water cycle, the effluent creates an acceptable impact on the environment.
Wastewater percolated or injected into groundwater may not be described as effluent if soil is assumed to perform treatment by filtration or ion exchange; [4] although concealed flow through fractured bedrock, lava tubes, limestone caves, [5] or gravel in ancient stream channels [6] may allow relatively untreated wastewater to emerge as springs.
Physical techniques of water/waste water treatment rely on physical phenomena to complete the removal process, rather than biological or chemical changes. [9] Most common physical techniques are: Sedimentation is one of the most important main wastewater treatment procedures. Gravity settling is a method of separating particles from a fluid.
Alongside being used for drinking water, surface water is also used for irrigation, wastewater treatment, livestock, industrial uses, hydropower, and recreation. [1] For USGS water-use reports, surface water is considered freshwater when it contains less than 1,000 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of dissolved solids. [2]
Water reclamation is the process of converting municipal wastewater or sewage and industrial wastewater into water that can be reused for a variety of purposes . It is also called wastewater reuse, water reuse or water recycling. There are many types of reuse. It is possible to reuse water in this way in cities or for irrigation in agriculture.
Sewage (or domestic wastewater) consists of wastewater discharged from residences and from commercial, institutional and public facilities that exist in the locality. [2]: 10 Sewage is a mixture of water (from the community's water supply), human excreta (feces and urine), used water from bathrooms, food preparation wastes, laundry wastewater, and other waste products of normal living.