sewerage
sewerage — noun
1. the network of underground pipes, treatment plants, and equipment that carries a
the network of underground pipes, treatment plants, and equipment that carries away and cleans waste water and human waste from homes and businesses
The city council approved a plan to upgrade the sewerage system in the northern district.
collocation: sewerage system
Soraya, the lead engineer, designed a modern sewerage network for the growing coastal town.
Many rural homes still rely on septic tanks rather than connecting to public sewerage.
The earthquake severely damaged the city's sewerage infrastructure, leaving thousands without proper sanitation.
A well-maintained sewerage system is essential for protecting both public health and the natural environment.
- sewer system
more informal and focuses on the pipes themselves rather than the full treatment process
- drainage system
broader term that includes surface water drainage beyond just waste water
- wastewater system
modern technical term that emphasises the treatment and reclamation process
用法筆記
Used as a modifier before nouns such as 'system', 'network', 'infrastructure', and 'works'. The phrase 'sewerage system' is by far the most common collocation.
常見錯誤
2. the mixture of human waste, used water, and other substances that flows through
the mixture of human waste, used water, and other substances that flows through pipes from buildings and is taken away to be made safe
The treatment plant removes harmful substances from sewerage before releasing the water into the river.
verb + sewerage: treat / remove substances from
Tanvi noticed that raw sewerage was flowing from a damaged pipe behind the old factory.
collocation: raw sewerage
Untreated sewerage can spread dangerous diseases if it enters the public drinking water supply.
Samples of sewerage tested by the lab showed high levels of bacteria from nearby hospitals.
- sewage
the most common everyday word for the same waste material
- wastewater
broader term that also includes industrial discharge and surface runoff
- effluent
formal, technical term for liquid waste, especially after treatment
用法筆記
Uncountable noun. For the waste itself, 'sewage' is the more common word in everyday speech; 'sewerage' is the formal or technical term.