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sewage

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Sewage is the waste water from homes, businesses, and industries. It contains human waste, food scraps, and other materials. It can also contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and chemicals.

Sewage is collected by sewers and transported to treatment plants. At treatment plants, the sewage is treated to remove harmful substances and to make it safe to return to the environment.

The treatment process for sewage typically includes the following steps:

  • Screening: Large objects, such as rags and sticks, are removed from the sewage.
  • Grit removal: Sand and other small particles are removed from the sewage.
  • Primary treatment: The sewage is settled in tanks to allow the solids to settle to the bottom. The liquid part of the sewage is then removed and sent to the next step.
  • Secondary treatment: The settled solids are treated with bacteria to break down the organic matter. The treated solids are then removed and disposed of. The liquid part of the sewage is then aerated to help remove dissolved oxygen.
  • Tertiary treatment: This step is optional and is used to remove additional pollutants from the sewage. This may include filtration, disinfection, or nutrient removal.

After treatment, the sewage is discharged into rivers, lakes, or oceans. It can also be used to irrigate crops or to generate electricity.

How can the word be used?

The sewage treatment plant is overloaded.

sewage

Different forms of the word

Noun:

  • waste matter such as faeces or dirty water from homes and factories, which flows away through sewers.

Etymology

The word "sewage" comes from the Middle English word "sewage", which comes from the Anglo-French word "seweage", which means "to drain".

The first recorded use of the word "sewage" in English was in the 14th century.

The word "sewage" is an English word, and it is not related to any other languages.

Question

What is sweage?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Explain the process of sewage treatment and its importance in preventing environmental pollution and ensuring public health.

Answer:

Sewage treatment is a vital process that aims to remove contaminants from wastewater before it is released back into the environment. This process plays a critical role in safeguarding public health and preventing pollution of water bodies.

During sewage treatment, wastewater undergoes several stages. In primary treatment, larger solid particles are settled out, and the remaining liquid is moved to secondary treatment. Secondary treatment involves biological processes where bacteria and microorganisms break down organic matter, reducing pollutants.

Tertiary treatment, if employed, further refines the effluent by removing nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can contribute to water pollution and eutrophication.

Sewage treatment is essential to prevent the release of harmful substances, pathogens, and toxins into rivers, lakes, or oceans. Untreated sewage can contaminate water sources, posing health risks to humans and aquatic ecosystems.

By effectively treating sewage, we mitigate the spread of diseases, protect aquatic life, and preserve water quality for drinking, agriculture, and recreation. Proper sewage treatment is a cornerstone of environmental stewardship and public health, ensuring the sustainability of our water resources and the well-being of both humans and the environment.