Wastewater

A typical home in Virginia produces about 100 gallons of wastewater a day. This residential or "domestic" wastewater is carried to the wastewater treatment plant through a network of underground pipes. This network of pipes can extend out for miles from the wastewater treatment plant; so to keep flow moving, pump stations are installed at low points along the piping system (sanitary sewer).

Malls, schools, restaurants, laundromats, hotels, service stations, hospitals and small industries also produce wastewater that is carried to the wastewater treatment plant. If an industry produces a toxic wastewater, they must first remove the pollutants before discharging their wastewater to the sanitary sewer (called "pretreatment'). By keeping the wastewater free of pollutants, the biosolids produced is free of pollutants.

Groundwater and storm water runoff enter the sewage collection system through cracks in the collection system and direct connections. Storm water and groundwater can make up to less than 10% to greater than 50% of the total wastewater flow at the treatment plant depending upon the age, construction, maintenance and design of the collection system.