Effluent facts for kids
Effluent is a special word for water or gas that flows out of a structure and into a natural place like a river, lake, or the ocean. Think of it as the "exit stream" from a building, a factory, or a special water cleaning plant. It's often water that has been used and might need to be cleaned before it goes back into nature.
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What is Effluent?
Effluent is basically any liquid or gas that flows out from a structure. This could be a pipe from a house, a large sewer, or a factory. It often refers to water that has been used and is now leaving a system.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes effluent as "wastewater – treated or untreated – that flows out of a treatment plant, sewer, or industrial outfall." This means it's usually waste that goes into rivers or the sea.
Sometimes, effluent is a type of water pollution. For example, dirty water from a sewage treatment facility or used water from factories can be effluent. If toilets are below the main sewer line, a special pump called an effluent sump pump helps push the waste up to the sewer.
Different Kinds of Effluent
Treated Effluent
When dirty water goes through a wastewater treatment plant, it gets cleaned. The water that comes out after being treated is sometimes called secondary effluent or treated effluent. This cleaner water can then be used in other parts of the cleaning process, like feeding helpful bacteria in special filters.
Warm Water Effluent
At places like power stations that use heat to make electricity, a lot of water is used for cooling. The water that comes out of their cooling systems is also called effluent. This "effluent cooling water" is often warmer than the natural water it flows into. Effluent always refers to a liquid flow.
Industrial Effluent
Factories also produce effluent. For example, in places that process sugar beets, the water used to clean the beets can become muddy. This muddy water, or effluent, is often put into large tanks. The mud settles at the bottom, leaving the water on top clear. This clean water can then be pumped back into a river or reused in the factory.
See also
In Spanish: Efluente para niños
