What is the difference between sewer and wastewater?
The two terms used as synonyms include sewer and wastewater that address different components of our water sanitation as well as water management system. Recognizing this difference ensures safe and sanitary societies. For instance, in this section, we will look at what sets sewer and wastewater apart from one another, and how these two aspects are essential in both rural and urban setups.
Defining Sewer
Sewer is the general term for a set of underground pipeline and infrastructure that gathers and moves used water and waste, including rainwater, from residential; Sewer systems are typically divided into two main categories:
Sanitary Sewer: The system collects domestic wastewater from sinks, toilets, showers, and washing machines. It will collect human waste and wastewater from around residential areas and take it away for treatment.
Stormwater Sewer: They collect runoff from streets, parking lots, and other paved surfaces during rainfall. Stormwater sewers, on the other hand, do not handle wastewater or sewage. Instead, they direct rainwater away to avoid flooding.
Understanding Wastewater
Wastewater consists of water, domestic waste, chemicals, and pollutants released into the sewerage system. It includes various types of water:
Blackwater: Blackwater is a polluted water from latrines which contains human excrement and urine. It is pathogenic and needs special handling.
Greywater: Non-toilet plumbing greywater comes from sinks, showers, and washing machines for instance. It has fewer pathogens and is easier to treat.
Industrial Wastewater: The second type of waste is industrial wastewater which emanates from industrial procedures and contains varying degrees of pollutants such as heavy metals, chemicals and pollutants.
Key Differences
Now that we've defined both sewer and wastewater, let's highlight the key differences between the two:
Infrastructure vs. Content: Sewer is the piping and system itself. At the same time, wastewater means the substance or mixture of water and solid or liquid pollutants or any water that is collected and directed into a sewer.
Purpose: Wastewater is transported to treatment facilities or disposal sites through sewer systems, which act as the transportation network. Wastewater is the mixture that flows through the sewer and comprises household waste and industrial pollutants.
Types and Sources: Sanitary and stormwater sewers are two types of sewer systems with separate functions. Wastewater could also be categorised according to its origin and properties as blackwater, greywater or industrial wastewater.
Treatment: Wastewater is carried to treatment plants using sewer systems for contaminants and pollutants to be removed before being safely discharged or reused. Wastewater treatment is one of the vital stages of preventing harm towards the environment and public health.
Conclusion
To sum up, the two concepts of sewer and wastewater are linked in our water and sanitation system. Wastewater is a result of accumulated water with wastes from different sources. Sewer systems form the infrastructure for collecting and carrying the wastewater. Understanding the distinctions between these concepts enables us to appreciate some of the complexities associated with water resource management, environmental protection and maintenance of health and well-being among communities.
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