wastewater

noun

waste·​wa·​ter ˈwāst-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce wastewater (audio)
-ˌwä-
: water that has been used (as in a manufacturing process) : sewage

Examples of wastewater in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For years, outdated and insufficient wastewater treatment infrastructure on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border has resulted in spills to the canyons, the Tijuana River and the Pacific Ocean. Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 In Protest Trump Defeats Haley In Michigan Republican Primary—On Track To Clinch Nomination Next Month ‘Shogun’ Episode 1 ‘Anjin’ Review: A Captivating Series Premiere Liquid wastes are suitable for conversion to biogas through anaerobic digestion of livestock waste and wastewater. Wood MacKenzie, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Rodents, roaches and wastewater on the kitchen floor, as described in the Miami Herald earlier this week. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024 The funding announced Tuesday will be used to clean drinking water, improve wastewater and sanitation, and remove contaminants, and it will also be used to replace lead pipes. Jen Christensen, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024 The city requires approval from several departments on demolition applications, including landmark, forestry and wastewater, as well as sign-offs from Denver Water and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2024 The air district noted the wastewater from spills and gas samples contained elevated levels of benzene. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2024 The city’s two wastewater treatment plants, which sit on the banks of the Patapsco River in Baltimore City and the Back River in Baltimore County, racked up environmental violations in 2021 and 2022 for inadequately treating sewage. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2024 Propelled by the success of epidemiological sewage testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, public health officials have continued to build on ways that wastewater monitoring can be used to inform policies and practices. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wastewater.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wastewater was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near wastewater

Cite this Entry

“Wastewater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wastewater. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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