Final answer:
Wastewater is the general term for all waste from a plumbing system, which includes household greywater and blackwater, as well as industrial and agricultural water. It is treated in stages at wastewater treatment plants to remove contaminants and pollutants.
Step-by-step explanation:
The general term for all waste from a plumbing system is wastewater. Wastewater includes domestic waste liquid from everyday activities such as washing dishes, laundry, and bathing, referred to as greywater, as well as blackwater, which comes from toilets and contains human wastes. Additionally, wastewater encompasses water used in industrial and agricultural processes that is disposed of via sewers. It is treated at wastewater treatment plants or through domestic septic systems to remove contaminants before being released back into the environment or reused.
In urban areas, sewage treatment involves three stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary phases where the water is increasingly purified, with eventual disinfection ensuring the removal of pathogenic microorganisms and other pollutants. Properly treated wastewater can be a sustainable source of water for various applications, such as irrigation or replenishing natural water sources.