6/17/2020 Sewage - Wikipedia

sewage is measured by determining its biological oxygen demand (BOD) or the chemical oxygen demand
(COD).

Pathogens

Sewage contains human feces, and therefore often contains pathogens of one of the four types:[8][9]

Bacteria (for example Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Vibrio cholerae),

Viruses (for example hepatitis A, rotavirus, coronavirus[10], enteroviruses),
Protozoa (for example Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum) and
Parasites such as helminths and their eggs (e.g. ascaris (roundworm), ancylostoma (hookworm),
trichuris (whipworm))

Sewage can be monitored for both disease-causing and benign organisms with a variety of techniques.
Traditional techniques involve filtering, staining, and examining samples under a microscope. Much
more sensitive and specific testing can be accomplished with DNA sequencing, such as when looking for
rare organisms, attempting eradication, testing specifically for drug-resistant strains, or discovering new
species.[11][12][13] Sequencing DNA from an environmental sample is known as metagenomics.

Micro-pollutants

Sewage also contains environmental persistent pharmaceutical pollutants. Trihalomethanes can also be
present as a result of past disinfection.

Sewage has also been analyzed to determine relative rates of use of prescription and illegal drugs among
municipal populations.[14] General socioeconomic demographics may be inferred as well.[15]

Health and environmental aspects

All categories of sewage are likely to carry pathogenic organisms that can transmit disease to humans
and animals. Sewage also contains organic matter that can cause odor and attract flies.

Sewage contains nutrients that may cause eutrophication of receiving water bodies; and can lead to
ecotoxicity.

Collection
A system of sewer pipes (sewers) collects sewage and takes it for treatment or disposal. The system of
sewers is called sewerage or sewerage system (see London sewerage system) in British English and
sewage system in American English. 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 treatment or disposal. Properly functioning septic tanks require emptying every
2–5 years depending on the load of the system.

Treatment

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