Final answer:
The correct answer to the student's question is 'a. Stormwater,' which refers to the piping system that handles rainwater and other non-sewage water to prevent flooding and manage water waste in urban and rural areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
A stormwater system is a piping system that is used for conveying rainwater, surface water, condensate, cooling water, or similar liquid waste, its courses of sewage or industrial waste, to the storm sewer or other legal place of disposal. The correct answer to the fill-in-the-blank question is a. Stormwater. These systems are critical for managing excess water due to precipitation, thus preventing flooding and erosion.
The importance of managing wasted water can be seen in urban areas where wastewater treatment is necessary to remove organic matter and contaminants from sewage. Comparatively, septic systems perform a similar function in rural settings. Special attention is paid to prevent overflow during heavy rain events, as is the case with combined sewer systems that can lead to water pollution.