What is defined as treated wastewater discharged from a treatment facility?

The term for treated wastewater that is discharged from a treatment facility is known as effluent. Effluent is the liquid waste that has undergone treatment processes to remove contaminants and is typically released into a water body or used for irrigation. This outcome signifies that the wastewater has been processed to reduce harmful substances to levels that meet regulatory standards for environmental protection and public health.

Influent, on the other hand, refers to the untreated water entering a treatment facility, while sewage generally encompasses a mix of wastewater that may include not just treated effluent but also raw sewage. Sludge refers to the solid residual material that remains after the treatment process and must be further managed or processed.