efluente

Efluente is the liquid waste discharged from a facility, process, or system into the environment after treatment or as a byproduct of operation. It is the counterpart to influente, the wastewater that enters a treatment process. Efluente can originate from municipal wastewater treatment plants, industrial facilities, mining operations, agricultural runoff, stormwater systems, and other sources.

The composition of efluente varies widely with the source but commonly includes organic matter, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, suspended solids, dissolved salts, metals, residual chemicals, and potentially pathogens. Key water-quality indicators used to characterize efluente include biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, nutrient concentrations, and contaminant levels. The environmental impact of efluente depends on its quality and the receiving environment; inadequately treated discharges can cause oxygen depletion, eutrophication, chemical toxicity, or contamination of drinking water sources.

Regulation of efluente typically involves discharge permits that set limits on specific parameters and require monitoring and reporting. Standards vary by jurisdiction and by the source of the discharge, reflecting local water quality goals and protection of ecosystems and public health. Treatment approaches for efluente range from primary physical processes (settling and flotation) to secondary biological treatment (aerobic or anaerobic processes) and tertiary or advanced treatments (chemical or physical processes, nutrient removal, disinfection). Monitoring programs include regular sampling and, in some cases, continuous sensors to ensure compliance and to assess environmental impact.