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Wastewater - What Is It? - UNL Water
Wastewater - What Is It? - UNL Water
U N I V E R S I T Y o f N E B RA S K A – L I N C O L N
Commercial wastewater comes from non-domestic sources, such as beauty salon, taxidermy, furniture refinishing, musical instrument cleaning, or auto body
repair shops. This wastewater may contain hazardous materials and requires special treatment or disposal.
*These educational materials only cover residential (domestic or private) wastewater treatment.
1. A lagoon system places wastewater in a shallow open pool. Treated e%uent from the lagoon is introduced into the environment through slow evaporation
2. A septic system places wastewater in an underground tank. Treated e%uent from the tank is introduced into the environment through a drainfield.
1. Gray water: Gray water is from showers, baths, whirlpool tubs, washing machines, dishwashers and sinks other than the kitchen sink.
Definitions vary from state to state : Some states define blackwater as wastewater only from toilets.
Septic Systems
Septic System Design (article/wastewater/how-does-it-work)
Lagoon Systems
Lagoon System Design (article/wastewater/how-does-it-work-lagoon)
It cannot be used for irrigating a lawn, to fill a pond, run through a pipe to a nearby stream, or dumped to a cesspool.
You may hear of gray water being used for irrigation in other (arid) states. Even in those states, this must be treated and disinfected prior to use. This is NOT allowed in
Nebraska.
What is in Wastewater?
Wastewater is 99.9% water.
The other 0.1% is what is cause for concern. That 0.1% includes:
BOD-biochemical oxygen demand. BOD is a measure of oxygen needed by aerobic bacteria to break down organic matter. A higher BOD means there is more organic matter
that needs to be broken down.
Other solids
Visit the links above to learn more about your type of residential wastewater treatment system and tips on how to maintain it.
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WASTEWATER (/CATEGORY/WASTEWATER)
▶ Lagoons (/category/wastewater/lagoons)
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