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Interesting Facts About Stormwater and Wastewater
Storm water is a term used to describe water that originates during precipitation events. It may also be used to apply to water that originates with snowmelt. Storm water that does not soak into the ground becomes surface runoff, which either flows into surface waterways or is channeled into storm sewers.
Stormwater is of concern for two main issues - one related to the volume and timing of runoff water (flood control and water supplies) and the other related to potential contaminants that the water is carrying (water pollution).
Because impervious surfaces (parking lots, roads, buildings) do not allow rain to infiltrate into the ground, more runoff is generated than in the undeveloped condition. This additional runoff can erode watercourses (streams and rivers) as well as cause flooding when the stormwater collection system is overwhelmed by the additional flow. Because the water is flushed out of the watershed during the storm event, little infiltrates the soil, replenishes groundwater, or supplies stream base flow in dry weather.
Wikipedia - More Information About Stormwater
Wastewater
Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. It comprises liquid waste discharged by domestic residences, commercial properties, industry, and/or agriculture and can encompass a wide range of potential contaminants and concentrations. In the most common usage, it refers to the municipal wastewater that contains a broad spectrum of contaminants resulting from the mixing of wastewaters from different sources.
Sewage is correctly the subset of wastewater that is contaminated with faeces or urine, but is often used to mean any waste water. "Sewage" includes domestic, municipal, or industrial liquid waste products disposed of, usually via a pipe or sewer or similar structure, sometimes in a cesspool emptier.
The physical infrastructure, including pipes, pumps, screens, channels etc. used to convey sewage from its origin to the point of eventual treatment or disposal is termed sewerage. In the past the word "sewage" also meant what is now called "sewerage". Possibly because of that, the word "sewerage" is often mistakenly used to mean "sewage."
Wikipedia - More Information About Wastewater
