Sewer

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Sewer commonly refers to a part of sewerage, the infrastructure that conveys sewage.

Types of sewers include:

Other uses:

See also

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Overflow may refer to:

Interceptor may refer to:

Sewerage Infrastructure that conveys sewage or surface runoff using sewers

Sewerage is the infrastructure that conveys sewage or surface runoff using sewers. It encompasses components such as receiving drains, manholes, pumping stations, storm overflows, and screening chambers of the combined sewer or sanitary sewer. Sewerage ends at the entry to a sewage treatment plant or at the point of discharge into the environment. It is the system of pipes, chambers, manholes, etc. that conveys the sewage or storm water.

Wastewater Water that has been used and contaminated

Wastewater is generated after the use of fresh water in a variety of applications, and usually involves leaching, flushing, or washing away waste products and nutrients added to the water during these applications. A more detailed definition for 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".

Water pollution Contamination of water bodies

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities, in such a manner that negatively affects its legitimate uses. Water pollution reduces the ability of the body of water to provide the ecosystem services that it would otherwise provide. Water bodies include for example lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers, reservoirs and groundwater. Water pollution results when contaminants are introduced into these water bodies. In addition to damage to many species, water pollution can also lead to water-borne diseases for people. Water pollution traditionally is attributed to four sources, which provide the organization of this article:

Sanitary sewer Underground pipe or tunnel system for transporting sewage from houses or buildings to treatment facilities or disposal

A sanitary sewer is an underground pipe or tunnel system for transporting sewage from houses and commercial buildings to a sewage treatment plant or disposal. Sanitary sewers are a type of gravity sewer and are part of an overall system called a "sewage system" or sewerage. Sanitary sewers serving industrial areas may also carry industrial wastewater. In municipalities served by sanitary sewers, separate storm drains may convey surface runoff directly to surface waters. An advantage of sanitary sewer systems is that they avoid combined sewer overflows. Sanitary sewers are typically much smaller in diameter than combined sewers which also transport urban runoff. Backups of raw sewage can occur if excessive stormwater inflow or groundwater infiltration occurs due to leaking joints, defective pipes etc. in aging infrastructure.

Wastewater treatment Converting wastewater into an effluent for return to the water cycle

Wastewater treatment is a process used to remove contaminants from wastewater and convert it into an effluent that can be returned to the water cycle. Once returned to the water cycle, the effluent creates an acceptable impact on the environment or is reused for various purposes. The treatment process takes place in a wastewater treatment plant. There are several kinds of wastewater which are treated at the appropriate type of wastewater treatment plant. For domestic wastewater, the treatment plant is called a sewage treatment plant. For industrial wastewater, treatment either takes place in a separate industrial wastewater treatment plant, or in a sewage treatment plant. Further types of wastewater treatment plants include agricultural wastewater treatment plants and leachate treatment plants.

Sewage disposal regulation and administration describes the governance of sewage treatment and disposal.

Combined sewer Sewage collection system of pipes and tunnels designed to also collect surface runoff

A combined sewer is a type of gravity sewer with a system of pipes, tunnels, pump stations etc. to transport sewage and urban runoff together to a sewage treatment plant or disposal site. This means that during rain events, the sewage gets diluted, resulting in higher flowrates at the treatment site. Uncontaminated stormwater simply dilutes sewage, but runoff may dissolve or suspend virtually anything it contacts on roofs, streets, and storage yards. As rainfall travels over roofs and the ground, it may pick up various contaminants including soil particles and other sediment, heavy metals, organic compounds, animal waste, and oil and grease. Combined sewers may also receive dry weather drainage from landscape irrigation, construction dewatering, and washing buildings and sidewalks.

Sanitary sewer overflow Condition whereby untreated sewage is discharged into the environment prior to reaching sewage treatment facilities

Sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) is a condition in which untreated sewage is discharged from a sanitary sewer into the environment prior to reaching sewage treatment facilities. When caused by rainfall it is also known as wet weather overflow. Causes of sanitary sewer overflows include: Blockage of sewer lines, infiltration/Inflow of excessive stormwater into sewer lines during heavy rainfall, malfunction of pumping station lifts or electrical power failure, broken sewer lines. Prevention of such overflow events involves regular maintenance and timely upgrades of infrastructure.

Vacuum sewer Method of transporting sewage from its source to a sewage treatment plant

A vacuum sewer or pneumatic sewer system is a method of transporting sewage from its source to a sewage treatment plant. It maintains a partial vacuum, with an air pressure below atmospheric pressure inside the pipe network and vacuum station collection vessel. Valves open and reseal automatically when the system is used, so differential pressure can be maintained without expending much energy pumping. A single central vacuum station can collect the wastewater of several thousand individual homes, depending on terrain and the local situation.

Sewage treatment Process of removing contaminants from municipal wastewater

Sewage treatment is a type of wastewater treatment which aims to remove contaminants from sewage to produce an effluent that is suitable for discharge to the surrounding environment or an intended reuse application, thereby preventing water pollution from raw sewage discharges. Sewage contains wastewater from households and businesses and possibly pre-treated industrial wastewater. There are a high number of sewage treatment processes to choose from. These can range from decentralized systems to large centralized systems involving a network of pipes and pump stations which convey the sewage to a treatment plant. For cities that have a combined sewer, the sewers will also carry urban runoff (stormwater) to the sewage treatment plant. Sewage treatment often involves two main stages, called primary and secondary treatment, while advanced treatment also incorporates a tertiary treatment stage with polishing processes and nutrient removal. Secondary treatment can reduce organic matter from sewage,  using aerobic or anaerobic biological processes.

Sewage Wastewater that is produced by a community of people

Sewage is a type of wastewater that is produced by a community of people. It is typically transported through a sewer system. Sewage consists of wastewater discharged from residences and from commercial, institutional and public facilities that exist in the locality. Sub-types of sewage are greywater and blackwater. Sewage also contains soaps and detergents. Food waste may be present from dishwashing, and food quantities may be increased where garbage disposal units are used. In regions where toilet paper is used rather than bidets, that paper is also added to the sewage. Sewage contains macro-pollutants and micro-pollutants, and may also incorporate some municipal solid waste and pollutants from industrial wastewater.

Infiltration/Inflow

Infiltration/Inflow (I/I) causes dilution in sanitary sewers. Dilution of sewage decreases the efficiency of treatment, and may cause sewage volumes to exceed design capacity. Although inflow is technically different from infiltration, it may be difficult to determine which is causing dilution problems in inaccessible sewers. The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines the term infiltration/inflow as combined contributions from both.

History of water supply and sanitation History of providing clean water and safe sanitation systems since the dawn of civilization

The history of water supply and sanitation is one of a logistical challenge to provide clean water and sanitation systems since the dawn of civilization. Where water resources, infrastructure or sanitation systems were insufficient, diseases spread and people fell sick or died prematurely.

Sewer mining is a concept where municipal wastewater (sewage) is pumped from a trunk sewer and treated on-site to accommodate a range of local, nonpotable water needs. It is a strategy for combating water scarcity. It combines decentralized wastewater management and water reclamation. Since 2012, it is used as a tool for improving water management and promoting reuse of water in Australia.

Lewisham Sewage Aqueduct

Lewisham Sewage Aqueduct is a heritage-listed sewage aqueduct in Gadigal Reserve, adjacent to 5 Grosvenor Crescent, Summer Hill, Inner West Council, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by Sewerage Construction Branch and Department of Public Works and built in 1900. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

Western Outfall Main Sewer

Western Outfall Main Sewer is a heritage-listed former sewage farm outfall sewer and now ocean outfall sewer near Valda Avenue, Arncliffe, Bayside Council, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by the New South Wales Department of Public Works, who built the sewer from 1895 to 1898. It is also known as SWSOOS No. 1, Western Main Carrier and Western Main Outfall Sewer. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 15 November 2002.

Sewage Pumping Station 3

Sewage Pumping Station 3 is a heritage-listed sewerage pumping station located near 1 Booth Street, Annandale, City of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The building is located adjacent to Johnstons Creek. It was built from 1902 to 1904 by the New South Wales Public Works Department. It is also known as SPS 3, SP0003, Booth Street Sewage Pumping Station and Annandale Sewage Pumping Station. The property is owned by Sydney Water. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 18 November 1999.

John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant Sewage treatment plant in Danbury, Connecticut

The John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant is a sewage treatment plant in Danbury, Connecticut, named after British comedian and political satirist John Oliver. The plant was completely renovated in response to a 2008 order from state and federal agencies to address the inability of the existing sewage system to curtail phosphorus concentrations in wastewater, as well as other environmental issues. After Oliver made fun of Danbury on his show, Last Week Tonight, Danbury mayor Mark Boughton responded by offering to rename their $100-million sewage plant for Oliver. Boughton later told reporters that it was a joke, but after Oliver offered $55,000 to local charities in exchange for the plant's renaming, the city agreed to officially term the site the "John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant". Construction began in 2019, and was finished in October 2020, with Oliver personally attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony.