Which term describes the system that collects wastewater from homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities and transports it to a treatment plant?

• A. Stormwater drainage system
• B. Publicly owned treatment works (POTWs)
• C. Sanitary septic system
• D. Industrial effluent duct

Answer: (B)

Publicly owned treatment works are the municipal network and facilities that collect wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries and transport it to a central treatment plant for processing. This term emphasizes both the public ownership and the system’s role in moving wastewater to be treated, rather than treating rainwater or on-site waste, or describing a private septic setup.

Why the others don’t fit: a stormwater drainage system handles rainfall runoff, not wastewater from buildings. a sanitary septic system treats wastewater on-site at a single property rather than transporting it to a central plant. an industrial effluent duct isn’t a standard term for a citywide collection network and doesn’t convey the centralized treatment aspect.