Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between Sewage and Drainage

Sewage vs Drainage

The two words, which are often used in the field of hydraulics, are drainage system and sewage system. There must be a proper system to send out excess or waste water in any country. Drainage systems and sewage systems are used for this purpose.

Sewage

The process, by which waste matters carried away by sewers, is known as sewage. Foul water and surface water are the two main types of waste water. Foul water includes water from sinks, toilets, kitchen, showers, etc. Surface water includes water from the roof down pipes, rain water. A sewer means a pipe, either be a privately owned pipe or public sewer, which takes off foul water or surface water. When designing sewage system the slope of the pipes or sewers and volume of sewage, route of sewers must appropriately be selected such that it ensures the even flow under gravity and not leaving any solids behind. Modern sewage systems include domestic sewers, industrial sewers, and storm sewers. Normally, the sludge that is obtained from sedimentation process is used as fertilizer or dumped into the sea.

Drainage

A system of watercourses or drains for carrying off excess water is known as the drainage system. In geomorphology, drainage system is seen as the pattern formed by the lakes, streams and rivers in a particular drainage basin. In general, drainage system denotes man made system of drainage. A suitable, good drainage system is important because, if there is no proper drainage system water does not run off, instead it becomes standing water that will smell and allows mosquito breeding. It will harm the health of human beings and may cause diseases like cholera.

What is the difference between Sewage and Drainage?

• Though, both sewage and drainage carry water, they have some differences between them.

• Generally, drainage system is used to run off the excess water to sea or reservoirs or any other suitable place, while sewage system is used to carry out the waste water and solids to dispose them in a proper way. Simply, sewage system is a drainage system for carrying waste water.

• Drainage system either be manmade system or natural system (in case of rivers and lakes), while sewage system is often manmade system.

• Sewers are designed to carry solid waste also, while drainage is designed to carry excess water.

• Sewage system can either be maintained by government or private sector, while drainage system is mostly maintained by local or federal government of the state.

• Drainage can be open to air, but sewage can’t be open to air.