sewerage
SOO-er-ij
/ˈsuːərɪdʒ/
The system of sewers, pipes, and infrastructure used to carry off wastewater and surface water.
Refers to the physical infrastructure (pipes, pumps, treatment plants) rather than the waste itself.
The story behind the word. The word 'sewer' originally had nothing to do with waste. It comes from the Old French 'sewiere', meaning a channel or sluice gate used to drain overflow water from land. Over time, as these channels were covered and used to carry away domestic waste, the term evolved. Crucially, 'sewerage' refers to the infrastructure of pipes, while 'sewage' refers to the actual waste flowing through them.
Word relationships
- drainage: Drainage refers generally to the removal of water, while sewerage specifically refers to the removal of wastewater and sewage.
- infrastructure: Infrastructure is a broad term for all public works, whereas sewerage is specific to waste water systems.
Commonly confused with
- sewage: Sewage is the actual waste matter; sewerage is the system of pipes that carries it away.
Word family
- sewer (noun): An underground conduit for carrying off drainage water and waste matter.
Collocations
- sewerage system
- sewerage network
- municipal sewerage
- sewerage pipes
Example sentences
- "The city council approved a multi-million dollar budget to upgrade the aging municipal sewerage system." Civil engineering proposal
- "Without proper sewerage, heavy rainfall quickly leads to flooded streets and contaminated water supplies." Urban development study
Memory hook
Sewer-AGE is the pack-AGE of pipes (the system), while sewage is the sludge. The system of sewers.
When not to use
Do not use to describe the liquid waste itself; that is 'sewage' (SOO-ij).
Fun facts
- The sewers of ancient Rome, known as the Cloaca Maxima, were so well-built that parts of them are still used for drainage today.
Related words
Explore more words
sanitation, drainage, utilities, effluent, infrastructure, drain
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