What’s the Difference Between Wastewater and Sewage?
Wastewater is a broad term that covers any water used that’s no longer clean, like water from sinks, washing machines, or industrial processes. Sewage is a specific type of wastewater from toilets and household drains, containing human waste and other organic matter. Simply put: all sewage is wastewater, but not all wastewater is sewage. Understanding this difference can be helpful when figuring out the best way to handle and treat it.
What Are the Environmental Impacts of Improper Wastewater Disposal?
When wastewater isn’t handled or disposed of properly, it can cause serious harm to the environment. Wastewater often contains contaminants like oils, chemicals, bacteria, and heavy metals. Local water supplies and ecosystems can be damaged if it leaks into the ground.
Here’s what can happen:
- Polluted groundwater: Untreated wastewater can seep into underground water sources, making them unsafe for drinking or irrigation.
- Harm to wildlife: Toxic substances in wastewater can kill fish and other aquatic life.
- Soil contamination: Waste can change the chemistry of the soil, harming plants or making the land unusable.
- Algae blooms: Nutrients in wastewater, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, can cause rapid algae growth in lakes and rivers. This chokes out oxygen, hurting aquatic life.
Professional transportation helps prevent all of this by making sure wastewater goes to the right treatment facility where it’s handled safely.
Affordable Environmental Services’ Wastewater Collection and Transportation Service
Our process starts with a quick assessment of your site and the type of wastewater you have. Then, we schedule a pickup using a specific type of truck, depending on the volume and consistency of the waste. Our team shows up, connects to your tanks or containment system, and pumps out the wastewater safely.
Here’s what you can expect during a typical service:
- An on-site visit or call to assess volume and access
- Vacuum or pump truck arrival with our trained operators
- Safe extraction of wastewater into the transport truck
- Transportation to a licensed facility for treatment or disposal
- Documentation and reporting, if required by local regulations
We make the process as smooth as possible so you can focus on running your operation while we handle the waste.
What Kind of Truck Is Used To Transport Wastewater?
The type of truck used to transport wastewater is called a vacuum truck. These trucks are specially designed to safely collect and transport liquid waste, like wastewater, from one location to another. Vacuum trucks have strong pumps and large tanks that make it easy to suck up and hold the waste securely during transportation. Using these trucks ensures that wastewater is handled properly, keeping the environment clean and reducing risks to public health.
How Much Wastewater Can a Vacuum Truck Hold?
The amount of wastewater a vacuum truck can hold depends on the size of its tank. Most vacuum trucks have tanks ranging in size from around 1,000 gallons to over 4,000 gallons. Smaller tanks are great for jobs in tight spaces or areas with limited access, while larger tanks are ideal for handling bigger jobs where more waste needs to be collected at once.
Can You Transport Liquid Waste in Winter Conditions?
We can transport liquid waste in winter, but special precautions are required to ensure everything goes smoothly. Cold temperatures can cause liquid waste to freeze, which might damage equipment or make the process more difficult.
To avoid these problems, our vacuum trucks are equipped with heated tanks or systems to keep the waste from freezing during transport. Some trucks also use materials such as antifreeze or insulating blankets to protect against freezing temperatures.
What Happens to Wastewater After It’s Picked Up?
After we collect your wastewater, we transport it to a certified treatment facility. These facilities clean the water and safely dispose of any solids or contaminants. Depending on the wastewater type, some may even be recycled or reused in specific applications. You don’t have to do anything. We handle the entire chain of custody, from pickup to drop-off, ensuring that every gallon is treated responsibly.
What Paperwork or Records Should You Keep for Wastewater Transport?
Keeping proper records is important, especially if you run a business subject to inspections or environmental reporting.
Here’s what you should keep on file:
- Waste manifest or transport record: Shows where the wastewater came from, who picked it up, and where it was taken
- Service reports: Details of when, how much, and what type of wastewater was collected
- Invoices or receipts: Proof of payment for the transportation and disposal of wastewater
- Permits or licenses: Any required permits or licenses for handling or transporting wastewater
- Compliance documentation: Records of any required testing or analysis, as well as reports on the results
We provide detailed paperwork after every job so you have everything you need for your records.
How Often Should You Schedule Wastewater Removal?
For businesses that generate a lot of wastewater, like restaurants or manufacturing facilities, it’s a good idea to set up a regular schedule to avoid overflows or compliance issues. On the other hand, smaller operations might only need service occasionally, depending on how quickly their tanks fill up. It’s always better to stay ahead of the game and plan removals before things become problematic. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to help you figure out the best schedule based on your needs.
Get Trusted Wastewater Hauling Services Today
You don’t need to stress about how to deal with wastewater—just call someone who does this every day. Whether you’re running a job site, managing a facility, or just trying to keep operations running smoothly, Affordable Environmental Services offers dependable liquid waste hauling that fits your schedule and needs. We’ll take care of everything from pickup to disposal, so you don’t have to second-guess anything.
Looking for wastewater transportation? Contact us at (832) 277-2739.