Urban Wastewater Management An Introductory Guide
FR/G0008
December 2010

The purpose of this Guide is to provide an introduction to urban wastewater management for those with a limited technical background. It gives information to support readers interested in effective river basin management. It will also be useful to students who need to have some knowledge of sanitation and public health.

Urban wastewater management is a key man-made component of the water cycle. It comprises the collection, conveyance and treatment of wastewater from domestic, commercial and industrial premises and its treatment so as to avoid the pollution of surface and ground waters.

Throughout the Guide the more common terms; sewerage and sewage are used. Sewerage is the system of pipes that collect the sewage (wastewater) and carry it to the sewage works for treatment.

Before return to the aquatic environment sewage is treated to standards set by the regulatory body to meet the requirements of the receiving watercourse. These standards are themselves designed to meet the requirements of European Directives, notably the Water Framework Directive which is the subject of a different FWR Guide.

This Guide covers the nature of sewage, the regulation of discharges to watercourses, sewerage systems, sewage treatment plant and unit processes and the treatment and utilisation of process bi-products.

To assist the reader a glossary of terms used in urban wastewater management is provided.

The Guide contains 32 pages and 19 figures.

Copies of this Guide are available from the Foundation, price £15.00, less 20% for FWR members.