Definition of effluent and wastewater

Dirty water and wastewater – what is the difference?

For many people, the term wastewater means everything that is discharged into the mains drainage.

But if you study your wastewater bill carefully, you will find that there are different types of water the discharge of which into the municipal mains drainage system all get charged at different rates. So there genuinely is a difference between wastewater and effluent. This compact overview explains the difference between wastewater and effluent to you. You will receive a definition for industrial wastewater as well as information on how to calculate the volume of effluent.

What is wastewater?

Wastewater is a collective term for the types of water that can be discharged into the mains drainage system. Rainwater also counts. Any water that – in whatever form – is contaminated with various substances or particles during use is also classified under this term. This can be water that has been used in private households, but also water that has been used in companies.

So for industrial wastewater, the definition is any type of water that has been used in the business and then discharged into mains drainage. Examples of this are the water used in industrial production, but also wastewater generated by cleaning operations.

Of course, rainwater must also be taken into account. It also ends up in mains drainage – without having been used by humans.

What is effluent?

Effluent is the water that is discharged into mains drainage together with wastewater after it has been used in the household. The classic applications in which effluent is generated are flushing the toilet, using the dishwasher and the washing machine as well as showering in the bathroom.

If the treatment of effluent and wastewater is of interest to you please contact us!

Contact Us

Wastewater and effluent – the difference

The difference between wastewater and effluent is therefore easy to define. Wastewater is a generic term for a wide variety of wastewater that is discharged into the mains drainage system – and effluent is just one of those forms of wastewater. For industrial wastewater, the definition is that the wastewater is generated in connection with the processes of a business.

Calculating wastewater

For the costs – both in the household and in the company – you can calculate the effluent.

The instrument that makes this possible is known as the water meter. All wastewater that is fed to mains drainage through an installation can be measured with it.

This means that there is a consumption-based collection for this wastewater. In the case of precipitation that seeps into the ground, on the other hand, documentation is not feasible. The consequence in the water bill: It distinguishes between the costs of wastewater and effluent.

More about wastewater and effluent

The types of water or their distinction are important. Especially in business, a high savings potential around the use of water can be realized in combination with professional monitoring of the relevant costs. It is also possible to implement the environmentally friendly use of water and the conservation of resources in an optimum manner.