Sewerage refers to the infrastructure that conveys sewage or surface runoff (stormwater, meltwater, rainwater) using sewers. It is a system of pipes, chambers, manholes, etc. that holds the sewage from the waste makers above. Sewerage encompasses components such as receiving drains, manholes, pumping stations, storm overflows, and screening chambers of the combined sewer or sanitary sewer. Sewerage ends at the entry to a sewage treatment plant or at the point of discharge into the environment.

Where a sewerage system has not been installed, sewage may be collected from homes by pipes into septic tanks or cesspits, where it may be treated or collected in vehicles and taken for treatment or disposal (a process known as fecal sludge management) . Proper sewerage is crucial for public health, environmental protection, and overall sanitation. If wastewater is not effectively managed, it can lead to water pollution, the spread of waterborne diseases, and adverse environmental impacts on aquatic ecosystems and surrounding areas.

The main components of a sewerage system typically include:

• Pipes
• Manholes
• Pumping stations
• Treatment plants
• Screening chambers
• Storm overflows

Sewerage systems can be designed in different ways, such as combined systems that carry a mixture of both domestic sewage and storm sewage, or sanitary sewerage systems that include laterals, submains, and interceptors. Pressure sewers and vacuum sewerage systems are other types of sewerage systems that can be used in specific situations.

In summary, sewerage is the system of pipes, chambers, manholes, etc. that conveys sewage or stormwater using sewers, and it is crucial for public health and environmental protection.