Sewage
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sewage is the liquid waste produced by humans which typically contains washing water, faeces, urine, laundry waste and other liquid or semi-liquid wastes from households and industry. It is one type of wastewater. Sewage collection and disposal is usually done via a system of sewer pipes (sewers) called sewerage, and sometimes via a cesspool emptier.
Sewage treatment is the process of removing the contaminants from sewage to produce liquid and solid (sludge) suitable for discharge to the environment or for reuse. It is a form of waste management. A septic tank can be used to treat sewage close to where it is created.
Sewage water is a complex matrix, with many distinctive chemical characteristics. These include high concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, phosphorous, high conductivity (due to high dissolved solids), high alkalinity, with pH typically ranging between 7 and 8. Trihalomethanes are also likely to be present as a result of past disinfection.
In advanced countries sewage collection and treatment is typically subject to local, state and federal regulations and standards.
In former times the word "sewage" also meant what is now called sewerage.
[edit] Etymology
The words "sewage" and "sewer" came from Old French essouier = "to drain", which came from Latin exaquāre. Their formal Latin antecedents are exaquāticum and exāquarium.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Sewer History - main focus is sewers, but also contains significant information on sewage, sewage treatment and disposal, and health impacts.
- A tour of the Everett Water Pollution Control Facility in Washington, written by an employee.
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