Final answer:
The best description of sewage and wastewater is that they are virtually synonymous, with sewage representing household and industrial liquid waste, and wastewater including a broader range that encompasses sewage plus industrial and agricultural used water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best describes sewage and wastewater is C) Wastewater and sewage are virtually synonymous. However, if we delve a little deeper, sewage is primarily associated with the waste liquids from toilets, baths, kitchens, and other household sources, which may also include industrial and commercial waste. This constitutes both greywater, which comes from laundry, dishwashing, and bathing, and blackwater, which includes human waste from toilets.
On the other hand, wastewater encompasses a broader category that includes not only sewage but also water from industrial and agricultural activities. When wastewater, which contains sewage, is treated at facilities, it undergoes primary, secondary, and tertiary phases to remove various contaminants and make it safe for discharge or reuse.
It's important to note that proper treatment of sewage (wastewater) is critical for preventing waterborne diseases and other forms of water pollution caused by pathogens, oxygen-demanding waste, and toxic heavy metals. Clean water is essential for sustainability and reducing the global water pollution crisis.