What is wastewater?

Wastewater refers to all effluent from household, commercial establishments and institutions,
hospitals, industries and so on. It also includes stormwater and urban runoff, agricultural,
horticultural and aquaculture effluent.

Effluent refers to the sewage or liquid waste that is discharged into water bodies either from
direct sources or from treatment plants. Influent refers to water, wastewater, or other liquid
flowing into a reservoir, basin or treatment plant.

Sewage is also wastewater. It is wastewater originating from toilets and bathroom fixtures,
bathing, laundry, kitchen sinks, cleaners, and similar dirty water that is produced in households
and public places. Water used to irrigate turf and gardens, swimming pools, roof drainage,
surface runoff and stormwater are all wastewater but not classified as sewage.

Insufficient treatment of wastewater and faecal sludge spreads disease and is a driver of
antimicrobial resistance. Demand for wastewater as a reliable source water and nutrients for
agriculture is growing in response to population growth, urbanization, increasing water scarcity
and the effects of climate change. WHO produces global guidelines and tools to improve
treatment and manage health risks at all steps of the chain where wastewater is used. WHO
also leads global monitoring of wastewater treatment and safe use as co-custodian of SDG
6.3.1.