Wastewater data from individual homes: Quantitative and qualitative measurements

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Wastewater Management
• Domestic Pollution Characterization

Background:

• Generating representative raw wastewater data from single-family dwellings is challenging due to technical and administrative difficulties.
• Existing datasets on domestic wastewater generation are scarce, limiting the optimization of small-scale treatment systems.
• Understanding the characteristics of strictly domestic pollution is vital for effective sanitation and resource recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a rare dataset on raw wastewater generation from 15 single-family dwellings.
• To describe the methodologies for acquiring and validating wastewater quality and quantity data.
• To provide data applicable to the design and operation of onsite wastewater treatment systems and domestic pollution characterization.

Main Methods:

• Conducted two monitoring campaigns: continuous volume measurement (over one year) and comprehensive wastewater characterization (quality and quantity).
• Collected over 300 raw wastewater samples over 24-hour periods across 15 houses, including weekend days.
• Detailed acquisition and validation methodologies, including the use of an R script, are provided.

Main Results:

• Generated a unique dataset detailing the generation of raw wastewater from single-family dwellings.
• Provided continuous hydraulic data in liters per second (l.s⁻¹) and liters per hour (l.h⁻¹), reusable at any time step.
• Characterized wastewater quantity and quality, offering insights into domestic pollution.

Conclusions:

• The presented data is valuable for designing and operating onsite and small wastewater treatment systems.
• The dataset aids in characterizing strictly domestic pollution, informing sanitation strategies.
• This data can enhance Life Cycle Assessments and improve the understanding of domestic wastewater recovery potential.