It has been suggested that Blackwater (waste) be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

Sewage is the mainly liquid waste containing some solids produced by humans which typically consists of washing water, faeces, urine, laundry waste and other material which goes down drains and toilets from households and industry. It is one type of wastewater, and is a major actual or potential source of pollution especially in urban areas. Sewage services exist to manage sewage by collection, treatment and recycling or safe disposal into the environment. Image File history File links Mergefrom. ... Blackwater (waste) is a relatively recent term used to describe water containing Feacal matter and Urine: its is also known as foul water, or as sewage. ... Waste inside a wheelie bin Waste in a bin bag Waste, rubbish, trash, garbage, or junk is unwanted or undesired material. ... Rabbit feces are usually 0. ... This article is about the urine of animals generally. ... A plumbing fixture is a device which is part of a system to deliver and drain away water, but which is also configured to enable a particular use. ... Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. ... Air pollution Pollution is the introduction of pollutants (whether chemical substances, or energy such as noise, heat, or light) into the environment to such a point that its effects become harmful to human health, other living organisms, or the environment. ... Cities with at least a million inhabitants in 2006 An urban area is an area with an increased density of human-created structures in comparison to the areas surrounding it. ...

Sewage services

Collection and disposal

Main article: Sewage collection and disposal

A system of sewer pipes (sewers) collects sewage and takes it for treament or disposal. The system of sewers is called sewerage. Where a main sewerage system has not been provided, sewage may be collected from homes by pipes into septic tanks or cesspits, where it may be treated or collected in vehicles and taken for treament or disposal. Urban areas require some methods for collection and disposal of sewage. ... A sewer is an artificial conduit or system of conduits used to remove sewage (human liquid waste) and to provide drainage. ... The word sewerage means the provision of pipes etc to collect and dispose of sewage. ... A septic tank is part of a small scale sewage treatment system often referred to as a septic system, which consists of the tank itself and a leach (drain) field. ... A cesspit, or cesspool,(also known as zesspit or zesspool) is a pit, conservancy tank, or covered cistern, which can be used for sewage or refuse. ... The Trikke is a Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Automobiles are among the most commonly used engine powered vehicles. ...

Properly functioning septic tanks require emptying every 2-5 years depending on the load of the system.

Treatment

Main article: Sewage treatment

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 or other on-site wastewater treatment system such as biofilters can be used to treat sewage close to where it is created. Sewage treatment, or domestic wastewater treatment, is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater, both runoff and domestic. ... Sewage treatment, or domestic wastewater treatment, is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater, both runoff and domestic. ... SLUDGE (Scripting Language for Unhindered Development of a Gaming Environment) is a shareware adventure game engine developed by Hungry Software. ... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Waste For the company, see Waste Management, Inc. ... On Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) are wastewater systems designed to treat and dispose of effluent on the same property that produces the wastewater. ... Biofiltration is a pollution control technique using living material to filter or chemically process pollutants. ...

Sewage water is a complex matrix, with many distinctive chemical characteristics. These include high concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, phosphorus, 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 developed countries sewage collection and treatment is typically subject to local, state and federal regulations and standards. A developed country is a country that has achieved (currently or historically) a high degree of industrialization, and which enjoys the higher standards of living which wealth and technology make possible. ... Sewage disposal regulation and administration Regulation USA Sewer systems in the United States are regulated by multiple agencies on the local, state, and federal levels. ...

Facts about sewage

• The words 'sewage' and 'sewer' came from Old French essouier, 'to drain'.
• The words 'sewerage' and 'sewage' were used interchangeably (but wrongly) in the past.
• A strong-acting hallucinogenic substance called jenkem can be produced by fermenting sewage.

Old French was the Romance dialect continuum spoken in territories corresponding roughly to the northern half of modern France and parts of modern Belgium and Switzerland from around 1000 to 1300. ... Jenkem (also jekem) is a narcotic recreational drug composed of noxious gas formed from fermented human sewage. ...

See also

• Drainage system
• Ecological sanitation
• Humanure
• ISO 5667
• ISO 10304
• Jenkem
• Sanitary sewer overflow
• Sewage pumping
• Waste management
• Water quality

A drainage system is the pattern formed by the streams, rivers, and lakes in a particular watershed. ... Ecological sanitation, also known as ecosan, is a modern alternative to conventional sanitation techniques. ... Humanure is a neologism designating human waste (feces and urine) that is recycled via composting for agricultural or other purposes. ... Jenkem (also jekem) is a narcotic recreational drug composed of noxious gas formed from fermented human sewage. ... Decentralized wet weather overflow event Sanitary sewer overflow (SSO} is a condition whereby untreated sewage is discharged into the environment, escaping wastewater treatment. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Waste For the company, see Waste Management, Inc. ... Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water, characterized through the methods of hydrometry. ...

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.